YEREVAN, 6 FEBRUARY, ARMENPRESS. Norway’s Minerva Daily has published the article by expert of Norway’s top Civita analytical center Bord Larsen with the title “Useless Diplomacy”. The article is devoted to the Armenian Genocide Centennial and Armenian-Turkish relations. “Armenpress” presents the translated version of the article.

“On the day marking the 100^th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, Turkey will celebrate its heroic episode during WWI.

 This year, Armenia will be marking the 100^th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide with several foreign officials on April 24^th. Of course, this isn’t something that makes the Turkish authorities happy.

 On April 24, 1915, 600 well-known Armenian intellectuals, officials, political figures, writers, lawyers, doctors and officers were arrested in Constantinople. Most of them were given a death sentencing in the desert of Syria, hung from bridges or in the major areas of Constantinople.

 After that, the road was clear for perpetration of the genocide since the opposition had been eliminated. In two years, more than 1 million Armenians and hundreds of thousands of other Christians (Assyrians, Chalcedonians and Orthodox Greeks) were massacred.

 Erdoğan ’s response to remembrance of the Genocide is to attach importance to the heroic efforts of the Turks (in this case-the criminals) during the battles of WWI. The Turks have sent invitations to the leaders of more than 100 countries.

This would be the same as saying Germany start celebrating its heroic victories in Wehrmacht  in the Eastern Front during WWII.

 First World War

 As is known, Turkey was an ally to Germany and Austro-Hungary during WWI. The Battle of Dardanelles was one of the greatest battles between the allied forces and took the lives of nearly 200,000 people, but that battle took place on April 25^th, not April 24^th.

 As already mentioned, April 24^th is the day when the Ottoman government massacred Armenian intellectuals and officials in the capital city. These two events are closely linked to each other. The Ottoman Empire had already taken the decision on the ethnic cleansing of Christians, but it was implemented right when the Young Turks, aware that the allied forces were approaching, feared the Armenians’ treason. It is a period thatErdoğan wants to remember with glory, even a day before the battle.