“Probably Germany will recognize the Armenian Genocide in June, as Erdoğan has gone too far”
Cem Özdemir, German politician, co-chairman of the German political party Alliance ’90/The Greens (Die Grünen), expressed convictions that Bundestag will recognize the Armenian Genocide on June 2.
“On June 2, after the denial of the Armenian Genocide for 100 years, German Parliament should pass a decision, that it was Genocide, and Germany, as an Ottoman Empire ally, also bears certain responsibility for that,” the MP said. He added, that the draft bill on recognition of the Genocide has been worked out together with the Christian Democratic Union of Germany. Note, last year, recognition of the Armenian Genocide was also brought into the agenda of the Bundestag, adoption of which was prevented by Christian Democratic Union of Germany (CDU/CSU) and Social Democratic Party of Germany (SDP) Parliamentary groups, although Joachim Gauck, President of Germany, and Norbert Lammert in their speeches, devoted to commemoration of the centennial of the Genocide, recognized the Armenian Genocide. 168.am talked to Zhirayr Kocharyan, member of the working group on the Armenian Genocide recognition in Germany, on the fortune of the resolution.
Basically, Özdemir confirmed the information, that resolution on recognition of the Armenian Genocide will be discussed on June 2. What expectations do you have from these discussions on account of Turkey-Germany close ties and the fact that the discussions were once postponed?
I’m not aware of observations by Özdemir. I must say, that our organization has sent a letter to German president Joachim Gauck, who represents Christian Democratic Union of Germany (CDU/CSU), and who formerly prevented adoption of the resolution, and his office informed that Genocide and other issues relating the genocides of other Christian nations will be included in the agenda of the Bundestag. In the letter, addressed to us, they expressed hope, that the bill will be adopted, as such a resolution exists. If you remember, the Alliance ’90/The Greens (Die Grünen) submitted a petition in February, that the draft bill was included in the agenda, however, they were told to temporarily take it back, as in that period they were negotiating over the issue with Turkish refugees, accordingly, discussion of the issue wasn’t proper, and they promised to develop a draft bill and jointly pass it. Presently, the deadline is June 2. I hardly believe the draft bill will be passed. How Erdoğan will adopt it, and what will happen to those refugees? These are questions I give to myself with dozens of years of experience regarding this issue. Although it’ll be a great event, as recognition of the Armenian Genocide would sober Turkey to finally withdraw from the wrong way it has taken.
Actually, in his reply Gauck expressed hopes, that the Genocide will be recognized. What has changed in Bundestag, and generally, in Germany in this regard, that presently the draft bill won’t be rejected?
My only hope and change is the fact, that Turkish president has gone too far. If you heard, symphony orchestra of Dresden had a program entitled “Disaster,” which was funded by the EU by EUR 200 000. The explanation of the concert covers Genocide, the Turkish side succeeded to remove that term, which was contradicted, and it was introduced again. We’re lucky, that Erdoğan is going too far, and maybe this will be the reason, that certain MPs, reporters, politicians will finally come to senses that it’s impossible to conclude terms with Erdoğan, and this person doesn’t respect human rights, and, in general, Turkey is not the state to become a EU member country. This is the only trump card at our disposal. I should repeat once again that Merkel is under immense pressure regarding refugees, and many things depend on Turkey, just 32 days are left, and we’ll see what will happen.
Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in Croatia, touching upon Armenia’s president Serzh Sargsyan’s interview, stated that Armenia plays with fire and reminded about the Armenian community in Turkey. To your mind, may the Armenian community face a dangerous situation on account of tension of Armenia-Azerbaijan confrontation on NK conflict zone?
On account of the fact, that parallel to sharpening of the Cyprus issue, Turkish nationalists were attacking Greek stores and churches, accordingly, it’s possible, that in case of sharpening, Turks will do the same, like they did against the Armenians and Greeks in Constantinople, that threat is existent. Look to the history, and the past will show, that Turks are able to and performed likewise acts.
There are allegations, that tough statements by the West may have a restraining role for Erdoğan-led policy. When, however, they’ll start talking more toughly to Erdoğan, as the latter appears with utter threats in his speeches?
Yes, there is no limit and border for Erdoğan, and the world knows it. The centennial of the Armenian Genocide was commemorated in 2015, which made a work in Germany, and the Genocide was more touched upon in Bundestag than expected, books were published, and one of the reasons was the policy led by Erdoğan. However, in politics, components of political dependence are also observed. If not the dependency from Erdoğan, last year, on April 24, the Genocide would have been recognized.
Why did they postpone, then said it’ll be done after the holidays, which was postponed again and again. This February it was postponed as well, hoping the issue with refugees will be settled, and turn will come for recognition of the Genocide, so, we’ll edify many other developments. Germany has lots of things to do in this regard, we are working on it, so that the issue was passed on from reporters to historians in Germany, so that books were published and people were aware of the issue.
Occurrences in NK should also be added to this—the same continuation of the Genocide, this time by Azerbaijan, upon instigation of Turkish authorities, and, not accidentally, swift attack was recorded just after =Turkish and Azerbaijani presidents paid visits to Turkey and Azerbaijan. We should be ready, that Turkish community in Germany will rise after Bundestag recognizes the Armenian Genocide.
By Araks Martirosyan
