That is, Turkey is more likely to recognize the Genocide when it believes that Armenians will not claim territory. Of course, that puts him at odds with the Diaspora, but it is Armenians here that have to live next to Turkey and not them. Also, as you’ve pointed out before, many Armenians here are descendants of the victims of Genocide.

Incidentally, the matter of education was apparently a response given when one Western diplomat asked Ter Petrosian how he would get Armenians here to accept the restoration of ties with Turkey. However, it’s also worth noting that this was reported to me by a pro-government source although I have no reason to doubt what he told me.

Certainly, I remember news reports stating that Bleyan tried or wanted to try something similar when he was Minister of Education under LTP. Anyway, as part of Armenian history the Genocide should be taught, although I accept what you’re saying about too much concentration on the matter.

And you’re not the first to talk of a “victim mentality” prevalent among most Armenians. Still, recognition might go a long way to solving that no? I guess the main issue here is how and when recognition would occur. And incidentally, before people start attacking Ter Petrosian for this stance, it is worth pointing out again that in international circles at least, Sarkisian isn’t too dissimilar in his calls for diplomatic relations with Turkey without preconditions.

Whether that’s for real, though, is another matter. Besides, it is Ankara and not Yerevan that appears to be obstructing and refusing to open the border or establish relations. Still, I can’t help but think that while this all might go down well in international circles, domestically it’s another matter although as many people point out, Armenians seem quite okay with Turks visiting or buying Turkish goods.

That said, the situation has changed a little, with nationalism on the rise among many otherwise liberal young Armenians. It will be interesting to see if and how the issue of Armenian-Turkish relations becomes a campaign issue and more importantly, if it will be used to attack Ter Petrosian. However, the pro-government media and Sarkisian himself will have to tread very carefully indeed on the matter.

Just one point, however, I do remember one local Armenian telling me that while he doesn’t believe that any territorial reparations would be forthcoming in the event of recognition — and let’s face it, I think that likelihood is totally inconceivable — he did believe that acceptance by Turkey of the Genocide was necessary in terms of Armenia’s national security.

That is, recognition would make Armenians feel that such an event would never happen again. Of course, I don’t think that many people who think logically about the events of 1915-17 would consider it likely to happen again, but even so, it’s almost like a necessary weight that must be lifted off the shoulders of Armenians, perhaps.

The policy now is nothing but crying and complaining about the fate of the Armenian nation.