A shift in priorities?

[xBaron Dants]

In the light of all this brouhaha of Turkey possibly joining the European Union, I think it is time for us (and the ANCA) to change our course of action.

We should completely forget about the United States and its recognition of the Armenian Genocide. The US is now almost useless to us on this issue.

Our focus should now be on the European Union, and we must campaign...hard! France and Slovakia have both made comments re the recognition of the Armenian genocide as a prerequisite for Turkey joining. We must concentrate on spreading this feeling to as many countries as possible. Only then will Turkey have no other alternative.

Not to sound apocalyptic...but if we fail this time, we may have failed, period.

[IAmMadAtAC]

Things have been moving very fast in the past week on this issue, but I think the ANC is very aware of this and is switching priorities. The US Congress isn't even in session for a few weeks anyway so it's not like they can even do anything to actively get the US to recognize it at the moment anyway.

Not to sound apocalyptic...but if we fail this time, we may have failed, period.

That does sound too apocalytic... why must this be the be-all end-all? We have made so many strides already, very few besides Turkey actually deny this happened, so how can this be seen as a total failure if we lose? Sure it wouldn't be something great, but why does EU recognition in 2004-5 have to be the determinant of whether the world eventually recognizes or doesn't recognize the genocide. This of course is not to say we shouldn't pursue this new opportunity as much as possible, but I don't think if the EU doesn't end up forcing Turkey to recognize it the dream of genocide recognition is dead. I for one don't think Turkey is going to recognize it no matter what the EU says, they are stubborn as anything. When it is ingrained in an entire people that it didn't happen, well they aren't just going to turn around and say it did because they want to get in the EU. Look at what they are doing with the Cyprus issues that they "had to solve". They aren't budging, stubborn as ever.

[!EEK]

France and Slovakia have both made comments re the recognition of the Armenian genocide as a prerequisite for Turkey joining..

Belgium did too...

[xBaron Dants]

By the time Turkey gets into the EU, it will be at least another 15 years. That means that the genocide would have been something that occured 105 years ago. If Turkey is in the EU, it would have nothing to gain from recognition, and I fear that the whole thing might be forgotten and silenced. ESPECIALLY IF, by that time, Armenia makes its own attempts to join the Union.

[!EEK]

ESPECIALLY IF, by that time, Armenia makes its own attempts to join the Union.

Moroco wanted to join the EU

YOu heard that there was nearly a diplomatic crisis between cyprus and Turkia in Brussel the 17th of December? Turkia was asked to recognize the state of cyprus and Erdogan was really arrogant, and took this as a threat. In the end he "recognized" it

[IAmMadAtAC]

By the time Turkey gets into the EU, it will be at least another 15 years. That means that the genocide would have been something that occured 105 years ago. If Turkey is in the EU, it would have nothing to gain from recognition, and I fear that the whole thing might be forgotten and silenced. ESPECIALLY IF, by that time, Armenia makes its own attempts to join the Union.

This is such a long battle, it's impossible to say what will come of it. Considering that EUropean states say they at least are bringing it to the table and that Turkey must come to grips with it, I think it'll get more notice than less and this won't just go away once it joins the EU if it hasn't recognized it. But so much happens in 15 years it's impossible to predict.

[Hayq]

Forget the Genocide. Forget it.

Our primary cause as Armenians should be to make better Armenia and the Armenian communities. THe Genocide will not bring us anything important.

[IAmMadAtAC]

Forget the Genocide. Forget it.

Our primary cause as Armenians should be to make better Armenia and the Armenian communities. THe Genocide will not bring us anything important.

Yes we spend resources towards genocide recognition, but what would we gain by forgetting it????? You know how Armenians are, do you think the genocide issue really determins how much they put towards Armenia? For example dropping the genocide from our agenda will not spur people to give more to it, it's easy to say "make things better in Armenia" and forget about the genocide, but how do you propose that is done and how does forgetting the fit into the plan in any way?! Many see genocide recognition as a uniting factor for Armenians who are otherwise split in every way possible, and that it either being recognized, or forgotten as you advocate, would be the beginning of the end for Armenia and the communities in general.
You saying "forget it" not just once but twice in a row, so adamantly, is offensive to me. I understand your point that some are too preoccupied by it, but just 'forgetting' the suffering of millions (yes millions, not just the ones killed but all involved were haunted forever) is NOT something any of us should ever advocate.

[xBaron Dants]

Genocide recognition has a lot to do with the welfare of Armenia.

If you want Armenia to prosper, you need good relations with your neighbours. Not neighbours who deny such acts which they have committed, and expect you to forget it too. If you want Armenia to have any credibility on the world stage, what kind of message do you put forward by chickening out from demanding justice because Turkey feels uneasy about it?

It also tells us, and our neighbours, that such crimes do not go unrecognized (and unpunished), and gives us a certain feeling that they will not be repeated.

Finally, this is as much a personal issue as a national one. Why do we expect people who have had their grandparents killed, tortured and deported to just forget about it?

Yes, I agree...Armenia must develop and prosper...but so must Armenians. We can't live with the weight of denial on our back forever..

[!EEK]

Forget the Genocide. Forget it.

Our primary cause as Armenians should be to make better Armenia and the Armenian communities. THe Genocide will not bring us anything important.

You seem to say "forget the past , think about the future".....this is right, very right...especially if you are TURK....

Of course Armenia should mainly concentrate on building a better country but It can't really ignore the genocide.....There's the sentimental aspect but there is also the political aspect of it. Armenia's genocide is of a great pressure on turkish governement. I know it doesn't sound right but the genocide is often used as a tool that helps reafirme Armenia's position in the world. It could be something used to get the country better.

A lot of people heard about armenia *thanks to the genocide, many governement gets elected because of the genocide (it can be "for" or "against")....

I know its horrible for all of us but thats the reality beyond the veil