Hilda Tchoboyan: Turkey’s policy towards Christian minorities unchanged over
200 years
Editorial
Yerkir.am
April 01, 2007
Following Armenian National Committee of America the European Armenian
Federation (EAFJD) is considered as one of the most influential
lobbying Armenian organizations. The `Hay Dat’ European Committee
struggles not only for Armenian Genocide recognition, but also for
settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict proceeding from the right
of NKR people to self-determination. EAFJD Chairman Hilda Tchoboyan
answers the questions of PanARMENIAN.Net.
Judging from media Turkey activated his struggle against recognition
of the Armenian Genocide not only in the United States, but also in
Europe. What does Turkey fear so much? The problem of recognizing the
Armenian Genocide is within Turkey himself, in the Turkish society. If
this country recognizes the Armenian Genocide it will cease to exist
as a state. The whole world will look at Turkey as a state, which
committed a genocide and which is a threat for neighboring countries
and first of all for Armenia. Much is talked about that the current
Turkish authorities are not responsible for what happened at the
beginning of the 20th century, that the Armenian Genocide must be left
for historians to discuss. But it is a wrong viewpoint. The `Hay Dat’
Committees are sure that modern Turkey is the successor of the Ottoman
Empire since the closest circle of republic’s founder Kemal
Atatürk were those who are guilty in extermination of the
Armenian nation. And exactly for this Turkey is responsible for the
Genocide. In fact, Turkey’s policy towards national minorities is
unchangeable over 200 years.
Can the `Hay Dat’ European Office influence on recognition of the
Armenian Genocide in all European countries, particularly in Germany?
As you know, exactly Germany is the initiator of adopting a bill on
criminal punishment for denying all genocides, but there is no mention
in the document about the Armenian Genocide. We are going to insist on
the inclusion of the Armenian Genocide in it. The European Committee
actively cooperates in this issue, we have 12 committees, where
representatives of various nationalities are included and our goal is
recognition and prevention of genocides. I’ll underline that in this
case the problem is not with Germany, which is for adoption of this
law, but in the general mood in EU countries. Hearings are scheduled
for May 19 in the European Parliament, and if the bill is approved it
will mean that it is compulsory for all EU member-states after
bringing it in accordance with national legislation of every
country. The `Hay Dat’ Committees must carry out a work aimed at
recognition of the Armenian Genocide by parliaments of various
countries. If it happens, as a result the Armenian Genocide will be
recognized by the international community. The Armenian Genocide was
the first in the 20th century but for some reasons the attention of
the world community is concentrated on the Holocaust¦ Not the world
community, but Jews themselves are sure in it. They consider
themselves as a nation chosen by God and state that nobody but
themselves has undergone extermination. It is an ultimately wrong
introduction of problem. Jewish communities of Europe have begun to
approach to this understanding. They excellently realize that if an
estimation was given to the Armenian Genocide in due time, the
Holocaust may happen, but not in such scales.
It is considered that the `Hay Dat’ Committees are busy only with the
Armenian Genocide issue. Is it so? `Hay Dat’ is busy with
pan-Armenian national problems, among which the problem of the Nagorno
Karabakh conflict occupies a particular place. If you remember, some
years ago reports of the Council of Europe (CoE) on the Nagorno
Karabakh conflict were ultimately one-sided, the Azeri viewpoint
prevailed there. By the efforts of the European Office, particularly
works in the CoE structures we could reach our goal and now reports
carry more balanced character. Particularly, earlier they used to
talk only about Azeri refugees. After our statements and explanations
reports began to include also situation with Armenian refugees from
Azerbaijan and occupied districts of Nagorno Karabakh. We think that
we must speak about everyone. And the fact that Baku holds his
refugees in tent villages for more than 15 years does not do him
credits.
How did the Diaspora reacted to the Dual citizenship law? The
Diaspora waited for the law of Dual Citizenship in Armenia a long
time. When Armenia’s independence was declared a lot of us hoped that
the Armenia government will recognize us as his own
citizens. Unfortunately it did not happen. The Diaspora was very
upset. And now we got moral satisfaction, we have a motherland where
we can come and do everything possible for her prosperity. It is
natural the fear of `local’ citizens of the RA that the Diaspora will
take the power into its hands, elect the president and so on. We are
not going to do that, the law clearly indicates our rights and
obligations. I consider the adoption of this law as very important,
even if it is a bit belated step.