2015 IS GOOD OPPORTUNITY FOR TURKEY

Siranuysh Papyan, Interviewer
Interview – 16 April 2015, 11:20

Interview with Murad Papazyan, co-chair of the Coordinating Council
of Armenian Organizations of France, member of the ARF Bureau

Mr. Papazyan, the European Parliament almost unanimously adopted the
resolution on the Armenian Genocide. What is your opinion on this
resolution, what change can it bring in terms of the international
recognition of the Armenian Genocide?

This is a big success for us. This fact proves that Turkey cannot
persist on its denialist stance when the countries of the world
and international organizations recognize and condemn the Armenian
Genocide one by one. This is a serious sign and a message to Turkey
that it must reconcile with itself, with its history, recognize the
Genocide, revise its attitude radically.

The European Parliament thus reiterates that the Genocide did happen,
and it is time Turkey took new steps to face up to its history. The
European Parliament is a serious institution, its resolution is a
serious resolution. All such resolutions, declarations, recognitions
all through this year are serious pressure on Turkey and play a role
in the solution of the Armenian issue.

Recent events were important in terms of the recognition of the
Armenian Genocide, namely the Pope conducted a mass in memory of the
victims of the Armenian Genocide, the European Parliament adopted a
resolution. In your opinion, what influence can these have in terms
of progress of the Armenian Cause?

2015 is a pro-Armenian year because the opinions … the governments
and international institutions cannot understand that 100 years later
Turkey’s denialist stance persists. It is obvious to everyone that
it is not a positive stance, and Turkey is overacting, and Erdogan’s
government is not making any effort to promote the issue. On the
contrary, Erdogan’s extremely stiff stance is setting Turkey back
rather than leading to peace and progress. The international community
which supports the solution of problems slams such a stance, and if
in 2015 Turkey does not give a positive signal on recognition and
retribution, it will be even more difficult for Turkey in the coming
years because the pro-Armenian atmosphere will intensify in the world.

There is an opinion that after this resolution of the European
Parliament it is the U.S. and Russia’s turn. Do you see such
possibility?

At least, it is obvious that all the states acknowledge that the
Genocide did happen. Now there are countries which do not take the
step towards the recognition of the genocide because they don’t
want to encounter Turkish blackmail. The United States will sooner
or later recognize the Armenian Genocide because after that Turkey
will become a totally isolated state. Therefore, I think, the Turkish
authorities must take this into account and realize that 2015 is a
good opportunity and it should not be missed.

In your opinion, will the U.S. President Barak Obama change his stance
of non-recognition and fulfill his electoral vows?

It’s hard to predict whether Obama will utter the word “genocide”
in his April 24 message. In fact, it is hard to tell whether the U.S.

government will go one step forward to the recognition of the
Armenian Cause, probably this step will be taken this year. We
also know that a lot of big delegations will arrive in Yerevan on
April 24 and among these delegations there is a serious and a rather
high-level delegation of the United States. This is a sign that they
cannot ignore the genocide.

What are your thoughts on the visit of the Russian parliamentary
delegation headed by Speaker Narishkin to Turkey to attend the
celebration of Gallipoli on April 24? Why does Russia accept this
invitation and play a double game?

It is important that Putin arrived in Yerevan and sent one of his
officials to the Gallipoli event. In other words, it is not important
if a lower-ranking official of Russia or France or another super
power visited Turkey on those days, it is more important that they
sent a higher-level delegation to Armenia on April 24.

In the recent days Kim Kardashian kept the issue of the genocide in
focus. What impact can her visit have?

It is a fully political and commendable stance when such celebrities
want to assist in publicizing the Armenian Cause. We must look at
this through positive lenses that people known all over the world,
Kim Kardashian, Cher or other renowned personalities want to contribute
their fame to the Armenian Cause.