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Turkish historian, sociologist Taner Akcam remarked on Armenian Genocide in an interview with Turkish daily “Taraf.” Read the interview below:

- We’re on the eve of April 24. Will the Armenian issue appear on the international agenda again?
- Yes, it will, even stronger than it used to. Prior to 2015 passions are getting inflamed.

- What are the expectations from the USA in this respect?
-Anyway, I don’t think great changes should be expected. Pressure will be imposed against Turkey no stronger than before, as at the end of the year US will be holding elections. Obama won’t do any changes in his policy. But I guess in 2015 Obama will utter the word “genocide.”

- If finally US utters the word “genocide”, what will change?
- Much will be changed. Turkey is encouraged to appear in the international arena abundantly due to America, Great Britain and Israel. If any side of this trio recognizes the genocide, Turkey won’t be able to trick in the international arena. Turkey’s policy of denial will isolate it, like it happened with South Africa’s racist state, with today’s North Korea. It’s important and a must for Turkey to recognize the slaughter committed against humanity in 1915 and to apologize for it.

- In the aftermath of that massacre properties and possessions in these lands are owned by foreigners. If they apologize how will they cope with return of property and compensations issues?
- In a letter to Kurdish aghas of Samsun Ataturk said: “Armenians will come and take back their properties from you.” In fact, the return of Armenians and challenge for property were scaring Turks during liberation war. But now it’s not threatening anymore. It’s impossible to re-own the properties. The nationalists use this to scare people.

- And how would you comment on compensation issue?
- The issue of compensation is a topic deserving discussions between the two governments. Measures should be undertaken to keep the two societies satisfied in accordance with their conscious. The two governments should create commissions and hold open talks to reach a resolution.

Taner Akcam is a Turkish intellectual who was among those few Turkish historians to have recognized and condemned Armenian Genocide. In 1977 he was forced to leave Turkey. Since 1988 he has settled in Germany, where he launched his investigation of Armenian Genocide.