Alexis Govchian clarifies
To normalize relations between Armenia and the Diaspora, it is necessary to create a non-governmental council that can systematize the cooperation between Armenia and Armenian communities in the Diaspora, says Head of the Council for Armenian-French Relations, Alexis Govchian.
Alexis Govchian also commented on the recent scandal connected to the latest statements by Armenia’s Ambassador to Switzerland, world renowned singer Charles Aznavour that Turkish and Azeri mass media outlets disseminated.
“The weight of Aznavour’s every word is so heavy and he has such a high reputation that Turkish political figures could rarely be able to discredit him,” said Govchian.
Turkish mass media distorted the words of Armenian Ambassador to Switzerland, world famous Charles Aznavour. According to HaberTurk, Aznavour had mentioned that Armenians had to substitute the word “genocide” in order to facilitate dialogue with Turkey and open the Armenian-Turkish border. What’s more, “after such statements, the singer had been strictly criticized by the French-Armenian community”, reports the agency.
However, a French TV journalist’s interview with Aznavour makes it clear what the singer actually meant when he proposed to substitute the word “genocide” with another one.
In response to the journalist’s questions, Aznavour had mentioned that the word “genocide” disturbed him because if the Turks were truly decent to say that the word “genocide” was what bothered them, “we would find another word in order to open the borders and to have the Turkish government consider starting dialogue with us”. According to the Ambassador, a word shouldn’t determine the level of the tragedy. “The important thing is not the word, but the fact that the Turks wished to kill and eliminate the Armenians.”
Commenting on the Turkish government’s denial policy, Aznavour noted that that was most likely a matter of honor that they will forget about after recognizing what happened.
Mass media outlets disseminated information according to which Charles Aznavour had called on substituting the word “genocide” with another one since that word disturbs the establishment of friendly ties. In addition, it was stated that Aznavour had also expressed the desire to visit Turkey and had mentioned that the Turks were a great nation.
Prepared by Levon Mutafyan