Analyst: Declaration on Genocide Centennial ‘realistic’ only if Armenian-Turkish protocols are canceled

Analyst: Declaration on Genocide Centennial ‘realistic’ only if Armenian-Turkish protocols are canceled –

Armenianow – Political analyst Ara Papyan, who heads the Modus Vivendi center, considers the Pan-Armenian Declaration on the 100th Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide realistic only if the Armenian Parliament cancels the Armenian-Turkish Protocols signed in Zurich, Switzerland, in 2009. 

The 12-point declaration urges Turkey to “face their own history and memory”, putting an end to the denial policy of the Armenian Genocide.

“[The declaration] expresses the united will of Armenia and the Armenian people to achieve worldwide recognition of the Armenian Genocide and the elimination of the consequences of the Genocide, preparing to this end a file of legal claims as a point of departure in the process of restoring individual, communal and pan-Armenian rights and legitimate interests,” the document states.

Papyan thinks that the Pan-Armenian Declaration and the Zurich Protocols contradict each other.

“If we theoretically admit that Turkey will ratify the protocols, then these two documents will contradict each other, and in that case it is unclear what policy should be applied, and if this declaration is not simply formality but actually contains political context and actually expresses positions, governments must make two steps – by a special order the Armenian President must cancel the signature of the Armenian representative under the Zurich Protocols, and the Parliament must declare a Day of Fatherland on November 22,” he said.

By declaring Fatherland Day Armenia prevents Turkey from further possibilities of invoking Armenia’s inaction and using it for not accepting a lawsuit in the international court.

Ara Papyan sees as positive the fact that this Declaration in terms of its demands and formation was a step forward, but not enough. He highlights the part of the Declaration where the role and significance of the Sevres Peace Treaty of 10 August 1920 and U.S. President Woodrow Wilson’s Arbitral Award of 22 November 1920 in overcoming the consequences of the Armenian Genocide are mentioned.

“This is the first instance when it is emphasized and valued by the Armenian President personally. Now, if we convert this from the diplomatic language into a simple one, by which, besides reference and tribute, we also clarify some territorial demands, because especially the Arbitrary Award speaks of territories, it states Armenia-Turkey border,” he said.