PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V.Rev.Fr. Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Officer
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E- mail: [email protected]
Web: http://www.cathcil.org/

PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon

Armenian version: http://www.cathcil.org/v04/doc/Armenian.htm


ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

"RECOGNITION OF THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE MUST AIM AT COMPENSATION"

STATED H.H. ARAM I

"Issues pertaining to genocide such as the prevention of genocides,
impunity, criminal court, retributive justice, forgiveness and healing of
memories have acquired crucial urgency and a focal attention by civil
societies in the last decade. Such debates, which are determined by
different agendas, have provided a proper framework for the Armenian people
to bring to the fore of public attention the question of the recognition of
the Armenian Genocide. The Armenian Genocide must be kept away from
geopolitical considerations and be treated within the context of
international law by spelling out its moral and legal implications" said His
Holiness Aram I in his concluding remarks at a gathering honoring Dr. Peter
Balakian, a renowned author of several books on the Armenian Genocide.

Speaking about the history of the Armenian Cause after the Genocide, Aram I
identified three periods.-

"1) The first period is marked by the remembrance of the martyrs of the
Genocide through requiem services and popular celebrations. This rather
church-centered approach to genocide prevailed for some time in the Armenian
Diaspora communities which were largely composed of the survivors of the
Genocide.

2) The second period can be characterized as a period of serious studies of
the Genocide emphasizing mainly the historicity of it based on archival
documents and eye-witness accounts. This attempt, which also involved
non-Armenian scholars and historians, was, in a sense, the beginning of the
process of internationalization of the Armenian Genocide as a human rights
issue. This process must continue with renewed approach and emphasis by
attracting more academicians and institutions of higher learning.

3) The third period can be referred to as a period of the recognition of the
Armenian Genocide. In the last two decades, a number of nations, states,
churches, international organizations and N.G.O.s came to formerly recognize
the Armenian Genocide. The implications of these different forms of
recognition have not yet been clearly defined by those who have recognized
it, as well as by juridical and political institutions of the international
community. This is a vital area which requires deeper investigation and
close follow-up. The recognition process will undoubtedly continue with
growing dynamism".

Then, His Holiness said: "We must embark on a new process which will open a
new period in the history of the Armenian Cause, a period which I would like
to call compensation for the crime committed against the Armenian people. In
fact, if the recognition of this crime against humanity is not followed by
compensation, it will remain a superficial act of provisional nature and
merely of moral value. Therefore, the Armenian Genocide must aim at
retributive justice. In this context, I would like to emphasize the
following: first, we must constantly raise the critical importance of
impunity. Last year the Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia organized an
international conference on impunity with the active participation of
respectable scholars and lawyers including the representatives of the
Rwandan government. Second, we must deal with the question of compensation
within the international law by identifying the legal and material
repercussions of such crimes against humanity. And third, we often refer to
our demands from Turkey but we are not yet clear about it. What are our
concrete, specific demands? What are the legal bases for such demands? These
need to be carefully studied".

Speaking about Peter Balakian, Aram I said: "Peter Balakian, an
American-born Armenian has played a pivotal role by placing the Armenian
Genocide in American context; by emphasizing the historicity of the Armenian
Genocide and generating an American response towards it. Furthermore, Peter
Balakian through his well-documented studies has made the Armenian Genocide
a relevant and urgent issue that must be seriously addressed to prevent the
new genocides".

At the end of his remarks, His Holiness decorated Dr. Balakian with the
insignia of St. Mesrob Mashdots.

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Picture here: http://www.cathcil.org/v04/doc/Photos/Pictures18.htm

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The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the history and
the mission of the Cilician Catholicosate, you may refer to the web page of
the Catholicosate, http://www.cathcil.org/ The Cilician Catholicosate, the
administrative center of the church is located in Antelias, Lebanon.