Ara Papyan
YEREVAN—The main purpose of the Armenian Genocide was to seize the property and lands belonging to Armenians, said director of the Yerevan-based Modus Vivendi center Ara Papyan on Monday, adding that Armenia cannot achieve its potential without restoring what was lost.
“We are more focused on the question’s external aspect, thinking of who will come to Armenia to lay flowers [on the Genocide memorial], but instead, the authorities should have three important questions to answer: what do we want? Secondly, on what bases do we lay claims? And thirdly, why do we want that? Can the realities today be taken for granted to allow us to continue [the campaign] the same way?” Ara Papyan, said during a press conference.
The expert noted that two thirds of Armenia’s population is concentrated in the Ararat valley, which he said is quite close to the Turkish border.
“The [Genocide] centennial, in my understanding, offered a good chance to respond to those questions. With the world’s attention focused on the centennial, we must by all means profit by that occasion to raise the questions we want,” Papyan said.
He added that Armenia fails to use its potential, continuing the Soviet-style tradition of just observing the ceremony.
“Continuing the recognition campaign without adding to it the demand for fair cause is absolutely pointless. On April 24, we must put on the table a package outlining the mechanisms of resolution. And for that, we need a commission of lawyers,” said the expert.