Wilson's arbitration award may become an extra tool of pressure on Turkey

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. First, Armenia should develop scientific activity and second, raise public awareness of Wilson's arbitration award, what hasn't been done so far.

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.

As a nation and society demanding justice, we need the day of victory, justice and affirmation of rights. There is a day that meets all these demands. It's November 22, 1920 when Woodrow Wilson signed the arbitration award on the borders of the former Ottoman Empire, i.e. of the modern Turkish State. The Armenian Genocide victims should be commemorated on November 22 instead of April 24. This day should be also marked as the day of restoration of justice.

When commemorating the Genocide, Armenians assume the role of a victim. But now they could be the people demanding justice and respect of international decisions, like Woodrow Wilson's award. This idea is at stage of approbation. Let's see how Armenia and Diaspora treat it. We should not forget that being the direct consequence of the Armenian Genocide, Diaspora is very sensitive to the issue.

It's Russia first of all. This country should understand that realization of the arbitration award is very important, since it meets all security demands in the South Caucasus. It's high time to come to decision. The Russian power is divided in two groups. One wants close relationship with Turkey proceeding from personal profit, the other upholds security issues in the light of Turkish nationalism. Actually, if the international community understands that the time to recognize the arbitration award has come, it will be to interest of Russia, Armenia and even Iran.

Interest in the decision is being observed, since it could become an extra tool of pressure on Turkey. According to the Treaty of Sevres, military monitoring units should be deployed in Turkey and this could deprive the latter of the possibility to uncontrolledly build up arms.

Yes, the only document that allows proclamation of independent Kurdistan is the Treaty of Sevres. Article 62 determines the southern border of Armenia as the border of northern Kurdistan. Proclamation of Kurdistan is the issue of time. However, a nation that wants to form a state should lean on international agreements. Legalization is the most important condition here. Geography is the result of history. I would like to remind that all signatories to the treaty are obliged to follow its provisions. It certainly refers to the states that signed the Treaty of Sevres. Actually, Armenia and Diaspora are charged with the task to explain the winners in World War I that fulfillment of the treaty's terms is not an issue of conscience but an obligation. Turkey is perfectly aware of the provisions of the Treaty of Sevres but the subject is extremely dangerous for it.