TWO APPROACHES TO PROBLEM OF RECOGNITION OF ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

Regnum, Russia
March 29 2006

“Not recognizing the Armenian Genocide in Ottoman Turkey in 1915,
present Turkey wishes to avoid the status of country-aggressor in the
international community. Territorial or financial reasons do not play
important role in the process,” stated Professor, Head of Turkish
Department of Oriental Institute of Armenian NAS Ruben Safrastyan
during discussion with member of governing board of the Armenian
National Movement, Chairman of Permanent Parliamentary Commission on
External Ties in 1995-1999 Hovhannes Igityan.

As a REGNUM correspondent informs, according to Ruben Safrastyan,
despite the fact, that the Turkish state policy, and its history
has excluded “a page devoted to massacre of 1915”, the authorities
of the country do not deny the genocide. They invite Armenia to
conduct discussion, which is “rejected by our side.” He suggested
using experience of state suits against state: Bosnia against Serbia,
Serbia against Croatia. “Armenia has to use the experience now,” stated
Safrastyan, adding, little by little the Armenian Genocide recognition
transits from state level to problem of national security. At the
same time, he stressed, solving the problem one should not rely on
the UN, because “pressure of Islamic states is high there”. Also,
Ruben Safrastyan suggested establishing of two special commissions,
first of which would, using “legal terms”, present a concept on the
Armenian Genocide, and, based on it, second one would make economical,
political, territorial demands of Turkey “on more global and scaled
level.” “After thorough preparations the Armenian state should bring an
action against Turkey at Hague International Court, despite of threat
to loose process. 18-19 countries have already recognized Armenian
genocide; the time has come, when the whole world may support us. Now,
we may demand apologies from Turkey,” concluded the expert.

In his turn, Hovhannes Igityan stressed, that the Armenian genocide
recognition will become happened fact only in case of its recognition
by societies, and not by authorities of two countries. According to
him, international mediators and judicial institutions has not to
be engaged in problem of Armenian genocide recognition. “Dialogue
and diplomatic mission will be most effective ways here,” believes
Hovhannes Igityan. Also, the expert pointed out, Armenian community of
about 50,000 people, living now in Turkey, does not reduce despite of
all events, and “news about beating of and misdeeds toward Armenian
citizens come not from this country, but mainly from Russia and
Georgia.”

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress