Not rely on Obama’s word
Perhaps our day of mourning and Easter fell on the same day by God's will," says 60-year old Zhora Chatoyan who had come to pay tribute to the victims of the Armenian Genocide near the eternal flame. According to him, there will come a day when the whole world will recognize the Armenian Genocide, but only through the combined efforts of all Armenians.
Taguhi Makaryan, an inheritor of an Armenian Genocide survivor, says the time has come for the Armenian people to be able to explain to the world its tragic page of the past in a way that the international community comes to its senses and recognizes this tragedy.
"Our consolidation and struggle will contribute to recognition. It is our only salvation," said Makaryan, adding that there is something divine about the correspondence of Easter and the day of mourning.
Historian Edgar Hovhannisyan recalled that the impunity of crimes leads to new crimes.
"The first genocide of the 20th century still hasn't been recognized and condemned, even though small groups of Turkish society are marking April 24 in a number of Turkish cities," Hovhannisyan underlined.
As for U.S. President Barack Obama's April 24 address, the historian says it would be better if he fulfilled his pledge and not trick Armenians again.
"We shouldn't rely on the U.S. President's word. We must first be strong so that others will come to terms with us. Unfortunately, sometimes the recognition of genocide turns into a political deal, a subject for compromises and intrigues."
Hovhannisyan says Armenians shouldn't be too emotional and shouldn't let the nation's tragedy be used and speculated by foreign powers.
Students of the Armenian State Pedagogical University also laid flowers and wreaths near the eternal flame under rector Ruben Mirzakhanyan's leadership.
"We Armenians are quite strong and must become stronger so that we don't rely on foreign powers to recognize, but make Turkey recognize the Armenian Genocide," said ASPU Student Council Vice-President Vahe Movsisyan, expressing confidence that Armenians will reach the point when the whole world will recognize the Armenian Genocide very soon.
