AGBU President Addresses Normalization of Relations between Armenia and Turkey

We are well cognizant of the fact that Turkey is a state that committed genocide against the Armenian people and has consistently and systematically denied it for the past hundred years. It has conducted a hostile policy with regard to the Armenian people and Armenia. Over the past 15 years, through the closing of the borders, it has exerted pressure on the Republic of Armenia to force it to relinquish the pursuit of the issue of Genocide recognition, as well as the independence and self-determination of Karabagh. We have no doubt that when the development of relations takes its course, according to the dispositions of the protocols, Turkey will continuously try to push its own agenda in connection with the issues at hand. However, faced with that possibility, the solution is not the refusal to negotiate and the isolation of Armenia; rather, it is the promotion of dialogue, as a modern civilized nation exercising diplomatic expertise and using the leverage of the international powers that have a stake in the outcome.

It has been repeatedly confirmed by the president of Armenia and the major mediating nations that the process of normalization of relations between Armenia and Turkey are not conditioned by the process of determining the status of Karabagh. This process has no negative bearing on its independence, security, and right of self-determination. The people of Karabagh and Armenia have fought hard and their leaders will under no circumstance forfeit their territorial rights and their claim for self-determination.

As far as the matter of Genocide recognition is concerned, if the Turkish parliament ratifies the protocols, Turkey will be forced to realistically face the existence of the Genocide issue after ignoring it and attempting to distort it over the past hundred years. In the final analysis, in connection with the Genocide issue, the process that may drive the Turkish people to become aware of, explore and acknowledge the historical reality of the Genocide and consequent reparations, is equally, if not more important than the recognition by other countries.

The commission referred to will constitute a forum where both sides can share, and either party will be able to walk away if a fair and just solution to the recognition of the genocide is not reached.

The issue of the existing borders is determined by the international community of nations and Armenia faces the reality of having inherently accepted these borders through its membership in the UN or the CIS.

Again, Armenia will not be able to affect the resolution of the issue of territorial demands and legal borders by isolating itself from the international diplomatic stage. As a full-fledged legitimate state, it is by participating in negotiations and promoting dialogue in defense of its demands that Armenia will pursue its historical rights. The pulling together of the energies of all Armenians towards such a process will be more productive than a dismissive stance.

A contract is never a perfect document. It is the result of negotiations between parties pursuing their respective interests. I would like to reiterate, that in this era of globalization, Armenia cannot isolate itself. That would lead to eventual disintegration. It is through self-confidence, the creation of stable legal and economic structures for an independent and democratic statehood, and opening additional paths in a free-market economy that Armenia will be able to face the challenges of our times.

Armenia cannot ignore the importance of the involvement of Russia, the US, France and other powers in this process — powers that have long supported Armenia and its interests. This is a negotiation those parties endorse, making it highly imprudent for Armenia not to engage and refuse to be part of the process.

Q: Why did AGBU, a non-political organization, choose to be involved in this matter, which is perceived as political in nature.

BS: The Armenian General Benevolent Union is a non-political all-Armenian organization. By its very nature, issues of Armenian national interest such as the survival and security of our people, development and prosperity of Armenia, and the preservation of our heritage and identity with all that it entails, have been at the core of its existence and mission.
All along its history, AGBU’s policies and activities have necessarily involved civil political involvement. The Armenian General Benevolent Union was instrumental in pressing for a number of Armenian claims during the international political negotiations in the aftermath of World War I and during the tenure of the first Armenian Republic. Boghos Nubar Pasha headed the Armenian National Delegation at the Paris Peace Conference in 1919. Later, during the Soviet period, AGBU maintained, as a Diasporan Armenian organization, a representation office in Armenia and its representative was victimized by the regime; nevertheless, Boghos Nubar undertook major projects in Armenia, including the establishment of major medical and educational facilities in Yerevan, and developing the ambitious plan of the town of Nubarashen, tirelessly working through the operational and political challenges for its construction.

Years later, Calouste Gulbenkian, then President of AGBU, was instrumental in negotiating with representatives of the French Mandate in Lebanon and Syria, the establishment on a permanent basis of Armenian refugees, including the creation of Bourdj Hammoud, Ainjar and numerous other Armenian quarters.

During the presidency of Arshag Karageozian, in 1946 the AGBU financed under difficult political circumstances the repatriation of more than 100,000 Armenians to Armenia. It was a major political effort with a historical impact for the future of our nation. It was later the foresight of Alex Manoogian to continue AGBU’s support of the motherland through the treacherous years of the Cold War. Creating infrastructure strengthened Armenia through its independence while preserving and promoting the Armenian identity and heritage in the diaspora.

During the presidency of Louise Manoogian Simone, AGBU was one of the first organizations to come to the aid of Armenia after the catastrophic earthquake of 1988. Those efforts helped to maintain our cultural and religious infrastructures and strengthen the newly-independent Republic of Armenia. The organization further extended its support to Karabagh in its struggle for independence and self-determination.

AGBU continues to play a critical role in Europe by developing awareness about the historical rights of Armenians in the Republic of Nagorno Karabagh, through collaboration with scientific research organizations and international political forums.

At this juncture, it is not unusual but, in fact it is AGBU’s duty to speak up and express its viewpoint on the Armenia-Turkey Protocols.