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US WAS FIRST TO RECOGNIZE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE - EXPERT
tert.am
23.05.12
The United States of America has been the first ever country in the
world to officially recognize the Armenian Genocide, Ara Papyan,
the president of the Modus Vivendi Center has said.
In a lecture delivered at the Naregatsi Art center on Tuesday, the
expert recalled that the US Government adopted a special decision
in 1953 to inform the international court that the 1915 atrocities
against the Armenians amounted to a crime of genocide.
Papyan was surprised to note that the Armenians are still looking
forward to a day when they will hear at last US President Obama say
the 'genocide'.
"It has become like a magic stick, passion and orgasm whereas our
rights are not anchored on the genocide recognition fact. When asked
what will change should Obama say the word tomorrow, no one knows the
answer. They say it is important as the United States' recognition of
the Genocide will push Turkey to act similarly," he said, expressing
doubt whether the move would really make Turkey return to the Armenians
their lost lands.
The expert did not rule out the possibility that Turkey's steps will
be restricted only to apology. He noted further that the recognition
of Genocide and the return of territories are not interdependent
concepts. He more stressed the importance of focusing on documents.
"When speaking of documents that enshrine rights, including
territorial, we can have a legal lever against Turkey provided we are
able to put them into circulation and push ahead to the international
court. While unable to return the territories in such circumstances,
we can have at least certain rights, such as the right to a free
transit, monuments and so on," he said.
From: A. Papazian
tert.am
23.05.12
The United States of America has been the first ever country in the
world to officially recognize the Armenian Genocide, Ara Papyan,
the president of the Modus Vivendi Center has said.
In a lecture delivered at the Naregatsi Art center on Tuesday, the
expert recalled that the US Government adopted a special decision
in 1953 to inform the international court that the 1915 atrocities
against the Armenians amounted to a crime of genocide.
Papyan was surprised to note that the Armenians are still looking
forward to a day when they will hear at last US President Obama say
the 'genocide'.
"It has become like a magic stick, passion and orgasm whereas our
rights are not anchored on the genocide recognition fact. When asked
what will change should Obama say the word tomorrow, no one knows the
answer. They say it is important as the United States' recognition of
the Genocide will push Turkey to act similarly," he said, expressing
doubt whether the move would really make Turkey return to the Armenians
their lost lands.
The expert did not rule out the possibility that Turkey's steps will
be restricted only to apology. He noted further that the recognition
of Genocide and the return of territories are not interdependent
concepts. He more stressed the importance of focusing on documents.
"When speaking of documents that enshrine rights, including
territorial, we can have a legal lever against Turkey provided we are
able to put them into circulation and push ahead to the international
court. While unable to return the territories in such circumstances,
we can have at least certain rights, such as the right to a free
transit, monuments and so on," he said.
From: A. Papazian