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Treaty of Sevres only document allowing
proclamation of independent Kurdistan
27.11.2007
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The
only document that allows proclamation of
independent Kurdistan is the Treaty of Sevres.
Article 62 determines the southern border of Armenia
as the border of northern Kurdistan,” historian and
diplomat Ara Papian said in an interview with Pan
Armenian Net website
November 27, 2007
Proclamation of Kurdistan is the issue of time,
according to Ara Papian.
“However, a nation that wants to form a state should
lean on international agreements. Legalization is
the most important condition here. Geography is the
result of history. I would like to remind that all
signatories to the treaty are obliged to follow its
provisions. It certainly refers to the states that
signed the Treaty of Sevres. Actually, Armenia and
Diaspora are charged with the task to explain the
winners in World War I that fulfillment of the
treaty’s terms is not an issue of conscience but
obligation. Turkey is perfectly aware of the
provisions of the Treaty of Sevres but the subject
is extremely dangerous for it,” he said. |
Ara Papian, historian and diplomat |
Full text of the interview
by Pan Armenian Net
Ara Papian:Wilson’s arbitration award may become an
extra tool of pressure on Turkey
Consequences of the Armenian Genocide in the Ottoman
Empire are still being studied and debated in
present-day Turkey, which keeps on fiercely denying
its complicity in the Genocide. Meanwhile
international record proves Turkey’s responsibility
for the crime fixed in the Treaty of Sevres and
obliges the country to observe its provisions
despite rejection of ratification in 1921. Historian
and diplomat Ara Papian comments on historical and
legal aspect of the Armenian Genocide recognition
process.
Pan Armenian:
Application of Woodrow Wilson’s arbitration award
for resolution of the Armenian issue has been much
spoken about
recently. How would you explain this fact?
Papian: A
regular stage of Armenian people’s struggle for
their rights came to an end with signature of an
arbitration award by U.S. President Woodrow Wilson
on November 22, 1920. Armenia’s activities for
recognition of international legal norms as regard
Turkey should have two trends. First, Armenia should
develop scientific activity and second, raise public
awareness of Wilson’s arbitration award, what hasn’t
been done so far.
In early November, three Canadian Universities –
Toronto, Montreal and Cambridge – initiated a series
of lectures in the subject. Turkish students, who
were also attending, got ready to oppose statements
on the Armenian Genocide, but were completely
shocked to know about the Treaty of Sevres. Turks
can dispute with us about the Genocide but they
can’t argue about the arbitration award. www.ekurd.net
By the way, Hay Dat will organize a 2-day seminar on
the Treaty of Sevres in Tehran.
As a nation and society demanding justice, we need
the day of victory, justice and affirmation of
rights. There is a day that meets all these demands.
It’s November 22, 1920 when Woodrow Wilson signed
the arbitration award on the borders of the former
Ottoman Empire, i.e. of the modern Turkish State.
The Armenian Genocide victims should be commemorated
on November 22 instead of April 24. This day should
be also marked as the day of restoration of justice.
Pan Armenian: Do
you suggest the date of commemoration of the
Armenian genocide victims be changed?
Papian: When
commemorating the Genocide, Armenians assume the
role of a victim. But now they could be the people
demanding justice and respect of international
decisions, like Woodrow Wilson’s award. This idea is
at stage of approbation. Let’s see how Armenia and
Diaspora treat it. We should not forget that being
the direct consequence of the Armenian Genocide,
Diaspora is very sensitive to the issue.
Pan Armenian:
Who else, besides Armenia, is interested in
application of the arbitration award?
Papian: It’s
Russia first of all. This country should understand
that realization of the arbitration award is very
important, since it meets all security demands in
the South Caucasus. It’s high time to come to
decision. The Russian power is divided in two
groups. One wants close relationship with Turkey
proceeding from personal profit, the other upholds
security issues in the light of Turkish nationalism.
Actually, if the international community understands
that the time to recognize the arbitration award has
come, it will be to interest of Russia, Armenia and
even Iran.
Interest in the decision is being observed, since it
could become an extra tool of pressure on Turkey.
According to the Treaty of Sevres, military
monitoring units should be deployed in Turkey and
this could deprive the latter of the possibility to
uncontrolledly build up arms.
Pan Armenian:
There is an opinion that proclamation of independent
Kurdistan also proceeds from provisions of the
Treaty of Sevres…
Papian: Yes, the
only document that allows proclamation of
independent Kurdistan is the Treaty of Sevres.
Article 62 determines the southern border of Armenia
as the border of northern Kurdistan. Proclamation of
Kurdistan is the issue of time. However, a nation
that wants to form a state should lean on
international agreements. Legalization is the most
important condition here. www.ekurd.net
Geography is the result of history. I would like to
remind that all signatories to the treaty are
obliged to follow its provisions. It certainly
refers to the states that signed the Treaty of
Sevres. Actually, Armenia and Diaspora are charged
with the task to explain the winners in World War I
that fulfillment of the treaty’s terms is not an
issue of conscience but an obligation. Turkey is
perfectly aware of the provisions of the Treaty of
Sevres but the subject is extremely dangerous for
it.
Source: Panarmenian net
* First world war
massacres | Related
issue:
Armenian Genocide by Turkish Muslims against
Christians
Turkey faces international pressure to recognise
that more than 1 million Armenians were massacred
during a 1915 campaign of ethnic cleansing by
Ottoman Turks. Turkish officials claim that most
deaths were caused by hunger and disease.
* Since 1991, the Kurds of Iraq achieved self-rule
in part of the country. Today's teenagers are the
first generation to grow up under Kurdish rule. In
the new Iraqi Constitution, it is referred to as
Kurdistan region. Kurdistan region has all the
trappings of an independent state -- its own
constitution, its own parliament, its own flag, its
own army, its own border, its own border patrol, its
own national anthem, its own education system, its
own International airports, even its own stamp inked
into the passports of visitors.
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