Armenia Must Use Territorial Claims for Political Leverage

YEREVAN (ArmRadio)-The recognition of the Armenian Genocide should develop from a moral issue to a territorial one based on the national security of Armenia, Director of the Ararat Center for Strategic Research Dr. Armen Ayvazian told a press conference on Wednesday.
According to Ayvazian, reference to the issue of occupied territories would create the best opportunity for influencing Turkey.
"Although the lands will not be returned all at once, the proper opportunity may emerge in years, even decades, since this policy will lead to that sooner or later," he explained. "It's unacceptable to not make territorial claims."
He explained by citing the Karabakh issue as an example. He said that Karabakh conflict is not only a national security issue for the people of Nagorno-Karabakh, but rather it is a national security issue for Armenia. The liberated territories surrounding Karabakh provide both Armenia and Karabakh with significant security guarantees.
"Syunik is vulnerable to attack without Karabakh and Armenia cannot exist without Syunik," Ayvazian said as an example.
He said that pressure from the international community on Turkey has always been weak and ineffective, never resulting in positive steps by Turkey to address the Armenian Genocide.
Every year, as April 24 nears, Turkish Officials make statements in support of normalization of relations with Armenia to mislead the world and preclude it from interfering in the "bilateral relations," of Turkey and Armenia, Ayvazian explained. By presenting the facade of a Turkey that is willing to work with Armenia, official Ankara effectively eases international pressure on Turkey.
The issues of Genocide and its consequences were not included in the foreign policy agenda in early 1990s after the country gained independence. From 1998 the international recognition of the Armenian Genocide was put on the foreign policy agenda of the Republic of Armenia.
The twenty or so international bodies that currently recognize the Armenian Genocide, unfortunately do not contribute to the security of Armenia or exert any influence in Turkish-Armenian relations, he said, adding that these structures do not pose the question of responsibility or retributions for the Armenian Genocide.
According to Ayvazyan, the adoption of H.Res.106 (The Armenian Genocide Resolution) by the US House of Representatives could create a peaceful situation in the region and create a precedent for the recognition of the Genocide by Turkey. Such a development would greatly improve the psychological aspects of the country's security as Armenia currently neighbors two genocidal regimes that have yet to admit their crime.



Wednesday, April 23, 2008