The coming year 2015 will prove a test for the entire world, and Bolivia’s step must prove to be an example to others, expert in Turkish studies Ruben Melkonyan told Tert.am, as he commented on the Armenian Genocide resolution adopted by the Parliament of Bolivia.
“As the year 2015 is nearing, the civilized world has to face the truth, condemn the global evil. It is a necessary step for any civilized state,” Mr Melkonyan said.
With respect to the resolution adopted by the Bolivian Parliament, the expert pointed out two aspects: first, the authorities’ political will and right approach to historical problems; secondly, coordinated work by Armenia and the Armenian Diaspora, which produced the result.
“I can say it is one more significant step in the recognition and condemnation of the Armenian Genocide,” Mr Melkonyan said.
As regards the role of particular states’ political interests in the recognition of the Armenian Genocide, and, specifically, in the case of the resolution approved by the Bolivian Parliament, the expert said:
“Bolivia has very little to do with our regional problems and can evade Turkish blackmail or advances. Moreover, Bolivia’s authorities may prefer reputation to political calculations now. I think our authorities and lobbying have played their role as well.”
Diplomacy is an area where results are not obvious at once. Armenia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has for a long period been making steps toward that region, to improve and expand relations. Armenian lobby and diasporic structures are quite active in that region.
As regards the probability of other states recognizing the Armenian Genocide, Mr Melkonyan said:
“In any case, I am inclined to think that we must highlight the recognition of the Armenian Genocide by different states because the Armenian Genocide has widely been recognized. I think that some countries will clearly state their positions before the end of this year.”
Politically, in the context of recognition of the Armenian Genocide, Armenia should hold expectations about four states – Great Britain, Germany, Israel and the United States.
“Besides moral problems, there are other ones with the states in question. Specifically, Turkish-German tensions over the Turkish community in Germany. As to the United State, it is the president’s pledges and our lobbying,” Mr Melkonyan said.
Now that the world is fighting such a global evil as terrorism and Islamic extremism, it is the United States, that has declared itself a beacon of democracy, must make a clear assessment of the evil that is the root of all present-day evils.
“That is, it is hypocrisy to condemn the present-day extremism without condemning the Armenian Genocide in 1915,” Mr Melkonyan said.
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