YEREVAN, APRIL 1, ARMENPRESS: The Norwegian historian and expert on Nansen Carl Emil Vogt is strictly distressed by the position of his country on the Armenian Genocide. Armenpress presents an exclusive interview with Carl Emil Vogt, the biographer of the great humanist Fridtjof Nansen, where he touches upon the position of Norway on the Armenian Genocide, the heritage, left by Nansen and the necessity of international recognition on the Armenian Genocide centennial.

- While for instance Norway’s Scandinavian neighbor Sweden officially recognizes the Armenian Genocide, Norway does not. The hesitance to call the Genocide by its correct name has of course to do with Norway’s membership in NATO. Turkey is therefore an ally, and as the Turkish government is very active in preventing the use of the word Genocide globally, Norway avoids the term. I myself deliberately used the term in the exhibition Transit at the Nobel Peace Center in Oslo in 2011, an exhibition to celebrate Fridtjof Nansen’s 150th anniversary. The Turkish ambassador to Norway protested formally to the Director of the Nobel Institute. The protest was never answered. While Sweden is not a NATO country, it is however true that several NATO countries formally recognize the Genocide.

- It is true that Norway has taken up the position favored by many countries that the term «genocide» should not be used. I do think this is a very deplorable and tragic mistake.

- Nansen was a true friend of the Armenian people. From very early on, he was aware of the mass killings of Christians, Armenians and Greeks in particular, in the Ottoman Empire. As the League of Nations' High Commissioner for Refugees he saw the sufferings of the Armenians. But it was really as head of an expert commission of the League of Nations to Soviet Armenia in 1925 that Nansen became a dedicated friend of the Armenian cause. He saw villages destroyed during the genocide and was told horrible stories of what had happened. This made a great impression on Nansen and changed him forever. For the rest of his lifetime he fought the Armenian struggle.

- When approached by people who wonders if they should use the term “genocide”, I encourage them to do so. I tell them that this is not controversial, but a fact only denied by Turkish authorities. I use the term whenever I have the opportunity. I will also try and promote knowledge about the Armenian Genocide as a scholar.

- It is about time that Norway and other countries officially recognize the Armenian Genocide. It is already done by France, Canada, Sweden, Poland, Lithuania and many other countries. Norway, Fridtjof Nansen’s country, should follow. Turkey should acknowledge historical facts and stop persecuting people who only express their opinion on the matter. Turkey should fully commit to basic human rights like the freedom of expression.

- I visited Armenia in 1999 and was impressed that Nansen's memory is still alive among ordinary Armenians. Armenia is a beautiful country with a rich and interesting culture, and I would love to go back. The memory of the sight of the distant Mount Ararat from Yerevan is always with me.

Photo from Facebook page of Carl Emil Vogt