ASHOT MELKONIAN: TURKEY WILL BE FORCED TO RECOGNIZE THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE
Noyan Tapan
April 22, 2009
Yerevan
The United States has already recognized the Armenian Genocide "de
jure", since 42 states have already recognized it. This opinion was
expressed by Ashot Melkonian, Director of the Institute of History of
the Armenia’s National Academy of Sciences. Meanwhile, non-recognition
of the Genocide by the Congress of the United States means nothing,
thinks the historian.
"It’s astonishing how we seized on that word of genocide. Whether
Obama would say it, or would not. If He says, it is good, if does not,
it is his own business," told Mr. Melkonian.
In Mr. Melkonian’s opinion, it turns out that, if the United States
recognizes the fact of the Armenian Genocide, the Armenian Diaspora
would "fade" afterwards.
Thinking that the international process of recognition of the Armenian
Genocide has already been finished, A. Melkonian believes that other
questions should be voiced now. Even citizens of Turkey already note
that not only the Genocide should be recognized but also territorial
issues solved, told Mr. Melkonian.
"Life shows, that Turkey will be forced to recognize the Genocide. It
is more advantageous if Turkey recognizes the Genocide in the situation
similar to the recognition of the Jewish Holocaust by Germany. Turkish
political circles and historians know better that the Genocide took
place," told A. Melkonian.
According to him, the international law promises a 50 per cent success
to Armenia if Armenia brings an action against Turkey. However, the
international law is not perfect in respect of ensuring compensation
for the crime of Genocide. "If in the case of Jewish Holocaust it
was possible, since it was the problem of physical injury, it is
different with Armenia. Here besides material and human losses,
the loss of the motherland took place,"- told the historian.