Khatchik Der Ghougassian: I Expect More Turks, and Hopefully Azerbaijanis, Willing to Oppose Their Government for the Sake of Justice

• 02.09.2015, 18:21
•  Armenia,  Diaspora,  Interview

"Armedia" Information Analytical Agency introduces an exclusive interview with Khatchik Der Ghougassian, professor of international relations at Universidad de San Andrés in Argentina, member of the ARF-D South America Central Committee.

  -  Dr. Der Ghougassian, in these days Armenians from the whole world are organizing events or are busy with preparatory works of events dedicated to the 100^th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. As a representative of the ARF-D South America Central Committee, which is also engaged in the coordinating activities of the events, what do you think, what effect will these events have on the perception of the whole world? What are the expectations?

- I would say that the expectations from the Centennial concern primarily the Armenian people. Would the Centennial be a watershed or just another anniversary though globally commemorated, this is the essential question. Of course, by "watershed" I do not mean a before and after the event in a strict sense; in other words, neither the struggle for recognition would be abandoned, nor the retribution/compensation phase will start from scratch. Yet, for the past four years we have seen an unprecedented effort to make the Centennial a global event, coordinate different initiatives and come out with a declaration which is unique in our history. All these efforts suggest an engagement to both the State and civil society/Diaspora to restructure their relationship and closely cooperate in what is known as the Armenian Cause in its broader sense. Those who assumed this engagement are under huge pressure to fulfill with the expectations it created. There is no room for any step backward. As for the rest of the world, one thing is for sure: the Armenian people and the Turkish State are engaged in a power struggle for Truth, Memory and Justice on the one hand and Denial and Impunity on the other, between Dzidzernagapert and Galipoli; for the rest of the world there is a choice to be made. 

-  What events do ARF-D South America Central Committee is going to implement on the eve of the 100^th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide? Are there events from which you have great expectations? 

-  The ARF-D South America is part of different Centennial community commissions in Buenos Aires, Cordoba, Montevideo and Sao Paolo among others. Our expectations are, broadly speaking, twofold; first, to send a clear message that the public events are marking a renewal of the political struggle for recognition and restitution for the fourth generation of Armenians living in South America; and, second, assure a wide participation, both on the official and non-official levels, from South America to the Centennial. Countries like Uruguay, Argentina, Chile, Venezuela and more recently Bolivia who recognized the Genocide and supported the Armenian Cause should be present in Armenia on April 24.

-  What should we expect from Turkey and its close allies, for example from Azerbaijan, in 2015 and after it in the near future?

-   More sophistication in the politics of denial… Though I expect more Turks, and hopefully Azerbaijanis, becoming aware of the historical truth and willing to oppose their government for the sake of Justice and, ultimately, reconciliation.

- In the Pan-Armenian Declaration on the Centennial of the Armenian Genocide it was noted that in the context of the elimination of the consequences of the Genocide, the Armenian side is preparing a file of legal claims as a point of departure in the process of restoring individual, communal and pan-Armenian rights and legitimate interests. What has so far been carried out and achieved concerning the issue? What are the next planned steps? 

-The official package is still on the stage of preparation. Meanwhile, the ARF-D has commissioned a group of experts who had finished a broader study of what is understood by "reparation," Aram I, Catholicos of Cilicia, took the initiative to ask Turkey’s Supreme Court for the restitution of the churches and land that belonged to the Catholicosate of Sis, and, hopefully, Him and Karekin II would take concrete steps to implement the joint declaration they made in 2013 for the restitution of all the Armenian churches.