YEREVAN (Noyan Tapan)–"To present the Nagorno-Karabakh problem as a separate issue [from the Armenian Genocide] would be a tactical mistake. The conflict in Karabakh should be viewed as a catalyst in bringing about a settlement of the Armenian Genocide," said Self-Determination Union Leader Baruyr Hairikian Wednesday at a news conference in Yerevan.
Hairikian said that the Republic of Armenia would be straying from its right and its responsibility if it were to no longer address the aftermath of the 1915-1923 genocide and its effects on present-day Karabakh.
Hairikian noted that the SDU 17th Congress recently passed a resolution–calling on those responsible for Armenia’s foreign policy to immediately declare that Armenian foreign policy begin with the condemnation of the 1915-1923 genocide and continue with its aftermath.
"The problem of the genocide and the elimination of its after-effects should concern all of mankind–and therefore it is necessary to inform the world community that its top priority is to declare the Russian-Turkish agreemen’s signed on March 16–1921–void and illegal–and restore the borders which existed before the agreement was signed.
"The world community should recognize that the current conflict in Karabakh is one of the consequences of the genocide–which should be addressed in accordance with the right of nations to self-determination," a statement issued at the SDU Congress read.
Hairikian stated that top-ranking officials in Armenia fear that if people speak of the Armenian Cause–Armenia may be put in an unfavorable situation.
"I know who spoke out–and who had concerns–but to refuse to stay true to our mission means to doom ourselves to extinction," Hairikian said.
Hairikian also said that the Armenian Revolutionary Federation and the SDU were partners on the issue at hand–and that the Constitutional Right Union held the same view.
"One copy of the SDU’s statement will be delivered to Levon Ter-Petrossyan as well–who is currently holding the post of president," Hairikian concluded.
