Seta Grigoryan, Hetq’s correspondent in Paris spoke with a cross-section of French-Armenians regarding recent developments in Armenian-Turkish relations. Below are excerpts of the interviews.

Sahag Sukiasian (Historian; Director of “Maison Arménienne” at the Cité Internationale Universitaire de Paris) -  "There is an historical record that Turkey must face up to"

Everyone has certain reservations – fears and concerns. This is natural since Armenia and Turkey aren’t random nations and your average neighbors.

There exists a deep chasm between the two and the shadow of the genocide still reigns over their relations till today. Everyone wishes normal relations with their neighbors and so do we all; whether we live in Armenia or not. First, let me say that I am glad that the opinions of the entire Armenian people are being listened to since the issue at hand has pan-national proportions. It doesn’t merely impact on the Republic of Armenia and its citizens. I read today that President Sargsyan organized a roundtable discussion with various political forces. It was a positive initiative and he noted that he would soon be touring various disapora communities and listening to what people had to say. You know, we are the direct inheritors of that history and thus the issue is quite important to us. I see two main issues – opening of the border and establishing relations. Regarding the establishment of relations, I believe that the two sides have much to do. But, I believe Turkey has the most work to do. As an inheritor of that history I would argue that Turkey must take the first step. Now I don’t know how to proceed; should we set preconditions or not? It would seem to me however that Turkey must first recognize the Genocide. It is hard to enter into dialogue with a nation that which is the successor to a state that committed Genocide and now denies the fact. They could have acknowledged the truth. I want to approach the issue as a historian and say that there is an interesting phenomenon at work here. We can really say that during the past year there has been actual progress made in normalizing relations. But if Turkey today is thinking about dialogue we must seriously ponder the matter and ask ourselves why. I see one motivating reason. Today, Turkey’s ruling elite has understood that the Kemalist policy needs to be changed; that it cannot continue. This is especially the case if they want to make it into the European Union. This they came face to face with difficulties they thought that they might reflect on their past. They also know that by creating new links throughout the region their international standing will also improve. I think that the opening of the border is not at all a priority right now. What is important is the process of familiarity and then reconciliation. But I would also like to say that as a product of that history I take a very strict and disciplined approach to the matter. If the Turkish authorities have it in the heads that they can call into question the reality of the Genocide and come up with new definitions and conclusions, I am totally against the normalization process; as an Armenian and a historian.

Antranig Khojasarian - "Beware of Turkey’s ulterior motives"

Silence can be a sign of acceptance and till today the border issue hasn’t been recognized by Armenia. The opening of the border doesn’t correspond to the interests of Armenia. The Turkish mentality is based on territory. Today it has powerful institutions and over 3 million Turkified-Armenians. This is a huge advantage over Armenia. We, in the diaspora, have one demand – Genocide recognition and not the opening of the border. We will never give up the demand to review the past. Turkey’s aim is to prevent the recognition of the Genocide and the consequences that would result. Turkey’s aim isn’t to establish normal relations but to snare us in a diplomatic trap and thus extract as many preconditions from us as possible. The published protocols clearly show that the Armenian people will pay a very high price indeed for the opening of the border and establishment of diplomatic relations. There are episodes, times and folds in the pages of our history that are being buried under mounds of mud. If the border is opened, not only will current generations pay that heavy price, but successive generations to follow. If it transpires that the documents are ratified and signed and all the traitorous demands are put in force, we will witness with our own eyes the withering away of our country, the death of the Armenian Cause and the first manifestations of widespread assimilation.

Dikran Yegavian (Journalist) -  "The Diaspora and Armenia must go their separate ways"

Let me start by saying that the first move was made last April when the diaspora and Armenia squared off in opposition. We should understand that Armenia has its priorities and agenda. We want the recognition of the Genocide but Armenia doesn’t have the resources or strength to put the issue on the table. Thus, we are concerned that Armenia will enter negotiations from a position of weakness. Then too, Turkey has a rich diplomatic tradition. Armenia cannot comprehend all the facets of Turkish diplomacy. I am concerned that Armenia will lose its supremacy since it has no laws to protect its property. This means that Turkish businessmen can slowly buy up land in Armenia and take over. Turkish strategy is still based on realizing its pan-Turkist ambitions with Azerbaijan. This time they won’t be brandishing swords. I feel quite insulted by Armenia since once again, rather than asking our opinion, they sold out the country and the memory of the Genocide martyrs. Rather than help us, they hurt us. The Turks will bide their time and prove that their conscience is clean. Regarding scientific research, Armenia has won out but Turkey, knowing that Armenia is in a weak position, will cleverly seek to bury the matter by opening the border. This is a blow against the diaspora. As a young diaspora-Armenian journalist, the time has come for the diaspora to make a clean break with Armenia. While understanding that our interests are different, I realize that the diaspora, sadly, remains without a unifying structure. This is a great opportunity, on a philosophical and spiritual level, for the diaspora to develop. Public opinion in the diaspora says we are different from Armenia. The diaspora is the consequence of a Disaster. We must split from Armenia. I don’t say we should hate Armenia. On the contrary; it will be a split of the mind. Our politics must be different. Today, what unites the diaspora isn’t the Armenian language or religion; it is the struggle being waged for Genocide recognition

Garbis Jaloian - "Armenia must chart its own foreign policy"

It is only natural that Armenia, as a country, a people, must decide its own foreign policy. Armenia can’t continue not having relations with its neighbors. Armenia has mutual interests as well as Turkey. The recognition of the Genocide must wait till later. It is important that Turkey recognized the Genocide. Turkey has taken some positive steps of late to get closer to Armenia. There is now the opportunity for the two countries to strive for a resolution of problems. The diaspora can express its own views but Armenia, as an independent state, must decide its foreign policy based on its own interests. The Genocide is our burden but it must not stand in the way of Armenia’s development. We will arrive at a resolution through diplomatic means. We must prepare ourselves psychologically. When normal relations are created we can enter into a dialogue. I agree that any talk of territorial concessions on the part of Turkey is an impossibility. There are 7-8 million people living on those lands. The only advantages to negotiations would first be the solving of the Karabakh problem and then for Armenia to have access to the Black Sea.

Tovmas Stepanian - "President Sargsyan has blocked the road of Genocide recognition"

President Sargsyan is today focused on Armenia’s economic problems, on personal interests. He isn’t taking the regional picture into account. Turkey is pressing ahead with a settlement to Karabakh. Turkey is an ally of Azerbaijan and would like to see all of Artsakh revert back to the Azeris. We fully realize that Turkey is out to protect its interests in the region. By agreeing to the sub-committee, President Sargsyan has blocked the road of Genocide recognition. This also prevented U.S. President Obama from uttering the word “genocide”. In this context I am very pessimistic for Armenia. Armenia will continue to exist but it will have let slip by an opportunity when it could have shined. The diaspora will also split. One segment will support President Sargsyan and other will not.  Turkey enjoys great influence and is an ally of the United States and manipulates the situation to its advantage.

Jirair Kivreshji - "The Armenian community in Turkey can serve as a bridge"

I have no expectations. Both sides do not want to make concessions. As an Armenian from Turkey I want to see normal relations. The border must be opened but Karabakh must not be included as a precondition. Generally, I am against the protocols; there is much hidden there we don’t know about. There are two kinds of Turks. There are my friends who also want to see normal relations. Then there is a very large segment that always links the issue to Azerbaijan’s interests. I always say that these two issues must be separated. The Armenians of Turkey act like sort of a bridge between the two societies. We Armenians of Bolis have our own set of problems – with school education, churches, etc. Perhaps, with normalized relations, teachers from Armenia could come here and help out and for our culture to develop. The protocols should include a reference to the Genocide. If the Turks don’t recognize this fact it will be hard for the border to open.  The Turks are taught in school that such a thing never happened. Many young Turks no say the same thing. But over the past ten years, via the internet, they have been reading the true facts of history. Some are now saying that the Armenians suffered many hardships and gave countless lives and that Turks must come to grips with all that. It is this understanding that is very important to me. If relations are normalized, this process, not a political one but more spiritual, can gain strength.