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.

Full text of the interview