Turkey's State Mentality Denies Possibility of Armenian Genocide Recognition

The process of recognition and condemnation of the Armenian Genocide by the European states is not a novelty. It started immediately after the WWI and was resumed in the middle of 1960-ies. The fact of recognition can be proved by the joint statement of the governments of the United Kingdom, Russia and France on 24, 1915, which said that "carnage of Armenians is being perpetrated by Kurds and Turks with obvious connivance and sometimes support of the Ottoman authorities." This statement can be reputed as the first international document condemning the Armenian Genocide (though the term "genocide" did not exist at that time), characterizing the evils committed against Armenians as Turkey's "crime against humanity and civilization", the responsibility for which was lying on the government and local authorities.

By the time Armenia became independent in 1991 the only European state that has recognized the Armenian genocide was Cyprus. The interest of the European community in the problem increased in 1970-1980, when it was discussed in press and various international organizations. Thus, the Armenian Genocide was considered by the subcommittee of human rights for prevention of discrimination and defense of national minorities in Geneva. In 1985 at the sitting of the subcommittee considered the report on prevention and punishment of genocide prepared by UK representative. The report featured the Armenian Genocide in the Ottoman Empire. The 24th item characterized the "ottoman carnage in 1915-1916" as an example of genocide. A special session of the Permanent Peoples' Tribunal in Paris held in 1984, which decreed that "according to the Convention of December 9, 1948, on prevention of genocide and its punishment, the annihilation of the Armenian people by means of deportation and mass killings is a genocide."

At last, in 1987 the Armenian Genocide was recognized by the most important European institute - the European Parliament. The Item 4 of the Resolution on Political Settlement of the Armenian Issue says that "proceeding from the refusal of the modern Turkish government to acknowledge the Armenian Genocide committed in the past by the Young Turks… The absence of parliamentary democracy, violation of individual, collective and especially religious freedoms in this state appear as insurmountable obstacle for Turkey's accession in the European Economic Community." Thereupon, the recognition of the Armenian Genocide by Europe as well as the raising of the problem as a precondition for Turkey's accession into the European structures in not a new phenomenon. 20 years later, in the context of the essential reforms targeted at the achievement of European criteria, this decision may be considered as a precondition for talks with Turkey.

To date, the Armenian Genocide was recognized by the parliaments of Belgium, Germany, Netherlands, Greece, Cyprus, Lithuania, Poland, Russia, Slovakia, France and Switzerland. The issue is being discussed the legislative bodies of a number of European states. In the resolutions on Turkey's membership in the EU dated April 1 and December 15, 2004 and September 28, 2005, the European parliament reiterated its position on the Armenian Genocide calling upon the Commission and the Council to urge the Turkish authorities to acknowledge the historical fact of the Genocide perpetrated against Armenians in 1915 and to immediately unblock the border between Turkey and Armenia. Although the decision of the European parliament bear a recommendation nature they completely reflect the spirit of the European political parties and the public opinion in general.

The stereotypes that have been implanted into the Turkish society and the state mentality completely deny even a slightest possibility of recognizing the Armenian Genocide by the Turkish authorities. In private conversations some Turkish diplomats or representatives of scientific intelligentsia acknowledge that the Genocide really took place, however the incumbent Turkish leadership will not dare to recognize it, since they will be thrown down just the next day. In my opinion, only with time, in a context of European reforms within the ruling echelons Turkey will be able to somehow change its position. Today official Ankara keeps on classifying the deeds of the Ottoman authorities (that is the deportation of Armenians form the front zone) as a reaction to the alleged rebellion of the Armenian population and its assistance to the Antanta member states, especially Russia. As result of the alleged civil war both Armenians and Turks died. In fact, in the course of 40 years the leadership of Ottoman Turkey applying the policy of genocide that culminated in the mass killings and deportation of Armenians during the WWI succeeded in "cleansing" almost the whole territory of the Ottoman Empire from Armenians. (By 1895 at least 3 million Armenians lived in Ottoman Turkey, by 1914 there were some 2.5 million, presently about 70 thousand Armenians live in Turkey, mostly in Istanbul). The main goal of the Genocide was to prevent the just and natural aspiration of the Armenian people for secure life and implementation of reforms provided by the European powers and calling for autonomy for Armenians living in the eastern part of the Ottoman Empire. Even if one supposes that the whole Armenian population rebelled against the Ottoman authorities (though in reality the overwhelming majority of Armenians were unarmed and only local self-defense took place in rare cases), this by no means can justify the deeds of the Ottoman leadership that are classified by the UN Convention and other appropriate international documents.

Presently the Armenian government does not set any preconceptions for establishment of diplomatic relations with Turkey while for the latter the final resolution of the Nagorno Karabakh problem is the principal precondition for the establishment of diplomatic relations and opening of the border with Armenia. Turkey not only infringes the common norms of the international law but also violates the acting Kars Agreement of 1921 that determines the borders. Although the Kars Agreement confirmed the principal clauses of the Moscow Agreement of 1921 that violates the vital interests of Armenia and the Armenian people, as a matter of fact, this is the only diplomatic act regulating bilateral relations not denounced by any of the parties so far.

However, according to one of the preconditions set by the EU during the talks with Ankara, Turkey should enjoy good relations with all the neighbors including Armenia. Taking into account the constant pressure exerted by the United States, the Turkish government got into difficulties. Today it's trying to draw a veil over the situation pleading a considerable commodity turnover available between the two states, air and overland transportation as well as the possibility of every Armenian citizen to receive visa and cross the Turkish border. It's true, but all this happens either by air or via the territory of a third state, in complete blockade and absence of diplomatic relations. On the other hand, Turkey doesn't wish to sacrifice relations with Azerbaijan, since the Azeri authorities consider that opening of the border with Turkey will give a boost to the Armenian economy and consequently toughen Armenia's position on Karabakh.

Presently the Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues counts 149 Congressmen, democrats and republicans, representing various states. It is one of the leading, influential and numerous groups in the Congress, which supports the interests of Armenia and the Armenian community being engaged in the issues referring to the economic and military aid to Armenia, Armenian Genocide recognition, blockage imposed by Turkey and Azerbaijan, the Nagorno Karabakh settlement. The Caucus keeps in touch with the Armenian lobbying organizations and the Armenian Embassy in the U.S.