ANTELIAS, 19 MARCH, ARMENPRESS. The 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide is not an ordinary year and in parallel with commemoration events it should be clear what is the purpose of the Armenian people, which is the target and in where the emphasis should be laid. His Holiness Catholicos Aram I of the Holy See of Cilicia stated this in an exclusive interview with “Arnenpress”. His Holiness represents the plans and vision of the Armenian people on the anniversary of the Armenian Genocide and after that, highlights the raising issue of the Armenian Genocide to the legal basis.

- Your Holiness, this year the Armenian people will commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. What is Your message to the Armenian people and the international community?

- About three years ago, when we started getting ready for the preparatory works of the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, we importantly underlined the following: as a starting point of our process, as well as a destination, first of all we announced, that 2015 is not a usual anniversary, we should note by its depth, scope and purpose. In addition to the usual initiatives, our goal should be clear, where the emphasis should be laid and which will be our target. We must clearly specify our strategic and tactical approaches. The same should not be repeated. Under the light of current circumstances we should review our approaches. The 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide should not be viewed as the pinnacle of the work-done for hundreds of years on the Armenian cause. It is only pinnacle and therefore the commitment of reaching higher heights should become propulsive force in the Armenian Cause’s works. In the light of the mentioned approaches, we tried to evaporate our actions under three words; remember, remind, and demand. Let briefly explain what it means.

1. The collective memory in people's lives has pivotal significance. The history is not merely completeness of information of incidents and intellectuals summarized in a book, but the continuing and living reality. The memory transferred from generation to generation, mentions, that should not turn past to a past, it should be turned into a living and existential presence. The collective memory forms the identity which is transferred from generations to generation and strengthens the roots of their identity. The collective memory leads the generation to the future, keeping bright their supreme national ideals and ambitions in them. The collective memory of the hundred years did not become like that in the life of the successive generations of Genocide.

2. It is essential to turn our memory of the past into reminding, addressed to our environment. The present globalized world, where there are no fences, compels us to remind our environment in various ways, that genocide has been carried out against the Armenian people and the crime remains unpunished. During the past hundred years, important work has been done in that direction. Propaganda, publication, relational, political, religious and in other spheres the church, parties, the committee of Armenian Cause, in the last two decades Republic of Armenia has done plenty of works. Those works should be continued with renovated impetus, but in different approaches, methods and emphases, because the world has been changed completely.

3. The demand is the essence of our people's cause. We should not only demand remember and remind the committed genocide against our people, but we should demand justice. By the reclaiming spirit and approach we should develop the plans of our peoples, which are related to the protection of our rights and specify our steps. Our human rights still remain raped. One and a half million Armenians' blood was spilled. The properties of Armenian nation, church and individuals are confiscated by the genocider Turks. In this situation we cannot only mourn, write and speak. We should demand our rights. Our claim should be logical, planned and strong by historical and legal data, far from every type of emotional, circumstantial and anachronistic approaches.

- Your Holiness, what a lesson should we learn from the Armenian Genocide and after the 100th anniversary, what should be the steps of the Armenian people?

- Talking about the centennial of the Armenian Genocide, we often remind our people, it’s necessary to look beyond the 100th anniversary. By this statement, our programs must be fulfilled in that way, in order to guide us beyond the circle of the 100th anniversary. As I already noted, that the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide is not the pinnacle of the Armenian Cause’s works, it is only a milestone; a milestone, which motivates us to look at the past, analyze the implemented activities, evaluate and assess plan and then organize the approach for future beyond the 100th anniversary. Thus, what should be done after the 100th anniversary? First of all the struggle of the Armenian people compels us to do this work with united spirit and pan-Armenian approach and project. Only occasionally we should not come side by side and express our unity on separate circumstances. Unfortunately, we had such an approach in the past hundred years. Our unity will have a permanent presence in our lives and it must become the driving force of our demand. It is necessary to develop pan-Armenian thinking. Our unity will become emotional and temporary, when it has not anchored on the Pan-Armenian thinking. The representatives of our people, certainly, led by the Republic of Armenia, should think together how to organize the acquisition work of our people's fair rights after the 100th anniversary.

The Pan-Armenian Declaration is the first greatly important step of the pan-Armenian thinking and working. The practical steps must follow the Declaration and a clear process of discussions and projects should be adjusted. We reminded in the different occasions, close by the clarification of our demand, it is also necessary to accomplish a division of work. Naturally, Armenia must have its own activities, while the Diaspora must be engaged in its own works. The activities must be in harmony with each other and complete each other.

Eventually, as per depth and character of demand, we believe, that it is the time, that legal sphere should become the focal point of our work. Certainly, the work of remembering and reminding must be continued, but it is highly necessary to take our Cause to the legal field. Decades ago, when we are talking about the Armenian Cause, we said; actuality, politicization and internationalization. Appreciable work has been done in that direction. While continuing this process, systematic and milestone approaches are necessary to access the legal field. But we should be realistic, this area doesn’t present with rosy picture. The framework of international law is not so much in favor of our cause. The geopolitical conditions also. Despite the bitter reality, should have not a defeatist attitude and passive approach, but the courage to take practical steps in the legal sector. This purpose pursues the legal step, which will take the Great House of Holy Cilicia.

As you know, over the three years we have been engaged in special work. We are preparing a legal document to request our historical Catholicosate of Cilicia. The demand of the properties, which belong to our nation and individuals, must follow this step. It requires a consistent and serious work, as well as material wide opportunity. Therefore, we should take necessary practical steps in this direction after the 100th anniversary. It is necessary to examine our archives, study, calculate our losses and examine international laws related to that issue. Appreciable work has been done in this direction in recent years. It is necessary to put those works by pan-Armenian effort on a wider basis and adjust the process of work. The role of the Republic of Armenia is extremely important. It should take the leader’s role, because the Republic of Armenia is the proprietor of the Armenian people's cause.    

- What can be expected from the international community on recognition the Armenian Genocide? Must the Armenian people also rely on its own strength regarding this issue?

- The process of the recognition of Armenian Genocide should be continued normally. Some states recognizing the Armenian Genocide are standing by our side, the others based on Turkey's interests and concerns or taking into accounts the religious feelings, at this point, they haven’t recognized the Armenian Genocide. But we are confident that inwards they are with us. They know very well, that the Armenian Genocide is a historical reality. Hence, our attitude should not be negative towards those countries and structures, but friendly, always reminding them our expectations. Never forget that each state acts based on its interests. Therefore, the Armenian people have to rely on its own strength. The message of Yeghishe Charents is the reconfirmation of the eternal truth. "Armenian people, your only salvation is in your collective power.” Yes, our strength is in our unity and own power. Our unity, strengthening of Armenia, fortification of the independence of Artsakh, strengthening Armenia-Diaspora cooperation is the basis of our own power. We should keep firm and efficacious the basis of our nation and country and own family, uniting around our supreme and general values and ideals. Our centurial history dictates this to us.

Interview by Hasmik Harutyunyan