Turkish scholar will visit Tsitsernakaberd
Israeli scientist Israel Charni assures that though his country has not officially recognized the Armenian Genocide of 1915, many Israeli don't call this event into question.
"The Jews have recognized the Armenian Genocide. There are many releases in newspapers, magazines and there have been many films and documentaries. Of course, the issue still hasn't been solved at the political level, but I hope that there will be progress sooner or later," Charni told "A1+".
The draft resolution on Armenian Genocide recognition was included in the Israeli Knesset's agenda in April this year, but it was taken out due to political considerations.
"If it were up to me, the resolution would be approved yesterday or tomorrow morning. We are also angry at this and are ashamed as well," said Charni.
Charni is in Armenia for the two-day international conference on "The crime of genocide: prevention, condemnation and elimination of consequences". Participating in the conference are notable genocide scholars from 20 countries the majority of which still haven't recognized the Armenian Genocide.
During the conference, the speakers spoke about the need for preventing the crime of the century, as well as overcoming the obstacles for correct legal formulations and compensation.
Most of the scientists are rest assured that the denial is temporary and there will come a time when the whole world will recognize the first tragedy of the 20th century.
U.S.-based Turkish scholar Taner Akcham spoke about Turkey's denial. He said it is impossible to build democracy in a country that denies the genocide and that there are many intellectuals who have asked the Turkish government to change its policy on this issue several times.
The Turkish scholar also voiced hope that Ankara will soon register progress in Armenian Genocide recognition and considered Turkey's strive for EU integration as an impetus.
"Turkey is currently making the transition from the Ottoman regime to a more open, democratic system. I also expect to see changes in recognizing its own history and the dark pages," said Taner Akcham.
Taner Akcham also told "A1+" that tomorrow he will visit Tsitsernakaberd to pay tribute to the victims of the Armenian Genocide of 1915.
"I have visited Tsitsernakaberd twice and I will be there again. I don't see anything bad about that and if the visit is on the agenda, I will definitely visit," said Akcham.
