A Century-Old Genocide Again Threatens Armenians: Armen Sarkissian to Fox News Channel

The American Fox News Channel has covered an interview with the President of the Republic of Armenia, Armen Sarkissian, in which the president outlined the situation created by Azerbaijan's military aggression in Artsakh and expressed concern about Turkey's involvement. This was reported by the president's office.

It is stated, with partial omissions, below:

The 1915 genocide again threatens Armenians, as they once more feel fear and bitterness amidst the newly heightened tensions regarding Turkey's involvement in Nagorno-Karabakh. Turkey and Armenia continue to dispute history, as Ankara contests that genocide ever occurred. However, the death of 1.5 million Armenians at the hands of the Ottomans significantly contributed to the emergence of the diaspora. More Armenians now live abroad than within their own country.

President Armen Sarkissian told Fox News that his people do not intend to give up their right to live freely in Nagorno-Karabakh. 'This is a fight they will carry on for a long time, as they say, until death. Any Armenian in the world will support this struggle for a very simple reason: they see that Turkey, using Azerbaijani 'hands,' is making another attempt to commit genocide,' he stated.

The Nagorno-Karabakh issue has a decades-long history, but the recent escalation over the past two weeks has raised significant concerns not only within the region but also beyond, as it threatens to draw larger regional players such as Russia and Iran into the conflict.

'It has become, it is becoming a large regional conflict with the potential to turn into another Syria or result in major geopolitical changes, as Turkey has brought along jihadists—Islamist terrorists—from Azerbaijan,' Sarkissian said. Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has mentioned that some of his citizens have gone to join the fighting, which worries Russia and Iran.

Sarkissian notes that these countries have an important role in helping to restore peace. The U.S. also plays a similar role. 'I want to take this opportunity to wish President Trump and the First Lady good health,' he said. 'It is important that President Trump fully returns to his responsibilities, as this is crucial both for Americans and the upcoming elections, and it is important that he contribute today, as we cannot afford to wait until the American elections in Armenia and Karabakh. We need American voice and pressure on Turkey and Azerbaijan today.'

Although both sides accuse each other of ethnic cleansing, massacres, and looting, each representative is confident that they can one day live peacefully together. However, no denial of Turkey's involvement can convince the Armenian president that there is no grand scheme at play. He believes that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan took advantage of the moment when the whole world is preoccupied with the coronavirus and the economic crisis, and made his move. At such times, Sarkissian states, when 'a great battle is ongoing for the existence of humanity,' he calls it inhumane.

The Armenian president adds that if Turkey succeeds, 'it will have a significant influence on the events taking place here and will control international energy resources. That means that Europe will, in some ways, become Turkey's hostage, opening and closing the pipeline, while Central Asia will also become captive.'