Armenian Genocide resolution was Washington’s message to Turkey ‘backed by Armenian organizations’ – Gaspar Karampetian

The Armenian Genocide resolution, adopted by the US House of Representatives on Tuesday, is a specific message to Turkey to which the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) also had its real contribution, according to Gaspar Karampetian, the chairman of the European Armenian Federation for Justice and Democracy (EAFJD).

″The recognition of the Armenian Genocide by the US House of Representatives was not a new issue at all, as it had been repeatedly [considered]. The Foreign Affairs Committee, for example, had earlier recognized it, but the [measure] stopped short of reaching the plenary session," he said in an interview with Tert.am. 

The new measure, initiated by pro-Armenian legislator Adam Schiff, was backed also other by other House members, including two ethnic Armenians. "Notably, the Armenian National Committee of America and the Washington offices had carrried out considerably long work, having already secured solidarity by the two major parties. Hence, the outcome was definitely expected to be really better this time,″ Karampetian added.  

But he also agreed that Washington's revised policies on Ankara (after the recent Syria attacks) accelerated the congressional efforts a little bit. ″Importantly though, upon the passage of a positive or negative decision every time, we have the feeling that we, as an Armenian cause office, have nothing to do with the decision. Those are games among other [powers], dealing with attempts to chase one another. The United States does certainly have a political message to convey to Turkey now.

"Turkey did not get the message in a good way, but we cannot, understandably, insist that the decision in question was aimed only conveying a specific message to Turkey. This is the kind of decision which we should not belittle at any rate,″ he warned.

Asked to comment on the Washington authorities’ interests and objectives, Karameptian said he personally believes that apart from the political factors, the US legislators pursued also honest motives in passing the measure. “The US House of Representatives is the body tasked with drafting laws or proposing a resolution for voting. Hence the United States can be said to have recognized the Armenian Genocide - as have the 29 countries, of which only four have effectuated the recognition. Those who followed the voting at the House of Representatives saw that the voters’ approach was in the realm of human rights protection. They were excited about the fact that they were going to make a fair decision for the people. Among them, of course, were also [legislators] who pursued political motives, but the important majority decision relied also on human values, which shouldn’t be underestimated in an attempt to probe for other circumstances behind the grandiose move.

“One thing needs to be put in plain words though, i.e. - that the legislative [body] should not be confused with the executive. The legislative body has its own mission and approaches [which may be at times different] from those of the executive. The foreign policies of a country and the state interests dealing with the outside world rest with the executive, in this case - the US president and the Department of State,” Karampelian explained.

He added that he is opstimistic also about the Senate vote (after the recent landmark decision). “We will be waiting to see whether the president will have any desire to overpass this decision or his April 24 address will have a different wording after resolution passes the two legislative bodies. Their tactics too, will determine our future steps,” Karampetian said.