Turkey must recognize Armenian Genocide - Arman Kirakosyan

What happened to Armenians is a fact of common knowledge, and even Turkey is well informed of the events of 1915.

However, the question is how the events are designated – it was genocide, Armenian Ambassador to Austria, Armenia’s Permanent Representative to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Arman Kirakosyan told Tert.am.

The problem is that some states avoid using the term “genocide” because of their good relations with Turkey.

“The same can be said of Germany and of the United States, but as I write in my book entitled ‘The Armenian Genocide in Contemporary American Encyclopedias’ common knowledge in the United States defines the events as ‘genocide.’ The reason for the United States not officially doing it is its good relations with Turkey, which is the USA’s ally. The same can be said of other nations,” Mr Kirakosyan said.

As regards the Austrian Parliament’s resolution on the Armenian Genocide despite its good relations with Turkey, he said that a 500,000-strong Turkish population in Austria did not prevent the Parliament adopting the resolution.

“They recognized because our local commission headed by me had for two years carried out exceptional work with parliamentary parties and organized different events, reaching people, Parliament members.

And in its resolution Austria indicated that as Austria-Hungary it was the Ottoman Empire’s ally shared the responsibility for the events. It is of high importance as Austria is a neutral state and a member of the European Union (EU). And with its conservative and cautious policy, it recognized, which even caused recall the Turkish ambassador on April 22 and Turkey has not since had its ambassador to Vienna.”

Turkey demanded explanations, and Austrian official said that they respected the Austrian Parliament’s decision.

“It means that the country’s government will recognize the Armenian Genocide as well,” Mr Kirakosyan said.

As to whether it could cause a domino effect, with Germany recognizing the Armenian Genocide one day, the Armenian diplomat said that the German President Joachim Gauck described the 1915 events as “genocide.”

“But Germany is a much larger country, with the Turkish factor playing a greater role there. Several million Turks are living there, and German-Turkish relations are better. It plays a certain role,” Mr Kirakosyan said.

On the other hand, Armenia’s aim must not be that all the states recognize the Armenian genocide.

“We are not going to persuade African or island states to recognize the Armenian Genocide. We all must realize that the Armenian Genocide is a fact admitted by social science. And if any countries do not recognize it, it is their problem and evidence of the quality of their relations with Turkey. So we must continue our work.”

The Turkish people must come to realize.

“Of course, progress in this field can be seen in Turkey. Turkish intellectuals mark the Remembrance Day in the streets, and authors speaking of the Armenian genocide can be seen in bookstores. But the state is afraid of making this step because the nationalist circles may oust them from the power pyramid. So changes have taken place even in Turkey, and that state must finally realize and admit the Armenian Genocide, following the examples of Germany and other states.”