Ara Papian: Turks can dispute with us about Genocide but they can’t argue about arbitration award

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ “A regular stage of Armenian people’s struggle for their rights came to an end with signature of an arbitration award by U.S. President Woodrow Wilson on November 22, 1920. Armenia’s activities for recognition of international legal norms as regard Turkey should have two trends,” historian and diplomat Ara Papian said in an interview with PanARMENIAN.Net.“First, Armenia should develop scientific activity and second, raise public awareness of Wilson’s arbitration award, what hasn’t been done so far,” he noted. “In early November, three Canadian Universities – Toronto, Montreal and Cambridge – initiated a series of lectures in the subject. Turkish students, who were also attending, got ready to oppose statements on the Armenian Genocide, but were completely shocked to know about the Treaty of Sevres. Turks can dispute with us about the Genocide but they can’t argue about the arbitration award.”“By the way, Hay Dat will organize a 2-day seminar on the Treaty of Sevres in Tehran,” Mr Papian said. November 22, 1920 President Woodrow Wilson signed the arbitration award marking the Armenian-Turkish border. Besides, the Treaty of Sevres divided the Ottoman Empire in mandated territories. Palestine and northern Iraq with Mosul and Kirkuk areas went over to UK, Cilicia was passed to France. The mandate on Western Armenia was offered to the U.S., however, Congress refused to ratify it. Meanwhile, the arbitration award has no period of limitation and can’t be appealed in international courts.

“As a nation and society demanding justice, we need the day of victory, justice and affirmation of rights. There is a day that meets all these demands. It’s November 22, 1920 when Woodrow Wilson signed the arbitration award on the borders of the former Ottoman Empire, i.e. of the modern Turkish State,” historian and diplomat Ara Papian said in an interview with PanARMENIAN.Net.The Armenian Genocide victims should be commemorated on November 22 instead of April 24. This day should be also marked as the day of restoration of justice, according to him.“When commemorating the Genocide, Armenians assume the role of a victim. But now they could be the people demanding justice and respect of international decisions, like Woodrow Wilson’s award. This idea is at stage of approbation. Let’s see how Armenia and Diaspora treat it. We should not forget that being the offspring of the Armenian Genocide, Diaspora is very sensitive to the issue,” he said.

“Russia should understand that realization of Woodrow Wilson’s arbitration award is very important, since it meets all security demands in the South Caucasus. It’s high time to come to decision,” historian and diplomat Ara Papian said in an interview with PanARMENIAN.Net.“The Russian power is divided in two groups. One wants close relationship with Turkey proceeding from personal profit, the other upholds security issues in the light of Turkish nationalism. Actually, if the international community understands that the time to recognize the arbitration award has come, it will be to interest of Russia, Armenia and even Iran,” he said.“Interest in the decision is being observed, since it could become an extra tool of pressure on Turkey. According to the Treaty of Sevres, military monitoring units should be deployed in Turkey and this could deprive the latter of the possibility to uncontrolledly build up arms,” he said.