Via Blogian, the Los Angeles Times interviewed the Armenian Prime Minister, Serzh Sarkisian, on his visit to the United States. Obviously, despite also focusing on corruption and democracy in Armenia as well as the unresolved conflict with Azerbaijan over the territory of Nagorno Karabakh, the interview also touched upon the matter of House Resolution 106, the Armenian Genocide and relations with Turkey.

The specific questions started with one asking Sarkisian whether he raised the issue of the resolution with the U.S. Vice President when they met.

Welch: Did you discuss the Armenian genocide recognition resolution?

Sargsyan: No.

Welch: Can you characterize how important — if at all — such resolutions are from the standpoint of, uh, the foreign relations of Armenia?

Sargsyan: You know, it’s extremely important. But first of all I wouldn’t say that it’s important from the point of view of the Armenian foreign policy — it’s extremely important from the Armenian perspective as a nation, as a people.

We can divide this issue into two parts conditionally. The first part is merely the historical justice. And the second perspective is today’s security initiatives, from the point of view of today’s security.

You know we cannot be calm and relaxed having a neighbor that has committed a genocide and is now rejecting it. They not only refuse to recognize the genocide, but they commit a blockade of [the] Armenian border now. And we are having a neighbor that refuses to establish normal civilized relationships.

We understand that we have not selected the place that we live now in the world. And we are aware that we have lived in that area for centuries, for thousands of years, and we are to live there for thousands of years ahead. But our neighbors should understand this as well. You know, homeland — fatherland, motherland — is not a place, is not an apartment that you can sell and go somewhere else. It would be very good if everyone understood this. And if we have problems it would be good to resolve these problems by communicating with each other, by negotiating, by discussing.

[…]

Newton: May I ask, will it in your view damage the relations between the United States and Armenia if the Congress does not approve the resolution?

Sargsyan: No, never. Never. And I have to say that in passing this resolution, the lion’s portion of the role belongs to the Armenian community in the United States, not the Republic of Armenia.

Lisa Richardson: Excuse me — will it exacerbate relations between Armenia and Turkey?

Sargsyan: If it’s passed? I don’t think that it should exacerbate, because there is no other level. I don’t think Turks will invade Armenia. We have no relationship; the border is closed. And I mean, frankly speaking, even if Turks do something wrong to Armenia, I don’t think it’s going to be fair, anyway.

What can Armenia do? We cannot influence U.S. politics. U.S. politics can be influenced by citizens of the United States, including the Armenian citizens. Unfortunately Turks think this way once in a while, and they say that the Republic of Armenia needs to influence the Armenian community in the United States. God will judge how fair they are, saying this. I think they are not fair.

You know, France has passed a similar resolution, and I don’t think something awful has taken place. I think after all, being it in one year, 10 year or 20 years, this problem cannot [last]. And the sooner the better, for us and for the Turks.

Newton: Why does this issue matter more to Armenian-Americans than to Armenians?

Sargsyan: I wouldn’t say it is more important for the Amernian Americans than for the Armenian Armenians — I think for all the Armenians in the world this issue is very important. But for one part of our people this problem was more important because it concerned themselves immediately.

If we don’t take into account the Armenians that came to the United States recently, the rest of the Armenians fled to the United States after the genocide. The genocide took place in the western Armenia, which is now in Turkey. And in many circumstances, someone’s grandmother was killed, someone’s grandfather was killed, someone’s uncle was killed. And the world is for the humans, everyone can live anywhere. It’s good if someone chooses where to live voluntarily. Because of the genocide these people were deprived of living in their own homeland. And apparently because this issue concerns themselves directly, they are more sensitive about this issue.

The full interview is here.