Serj Tankian: Genocide Resolution Is the First Step

The Armenian Weekly
Oct. 16, 2007

BOSTON, Mass. (A.W.)-In an interview with Armenian Weekly editor Khatchig Mouradian at the Paradise Rock Club in Boston today, System of a Down’s frontman Serj Tankian spoke about the current the Armenian Genocide Resolution and the discussion it has generated.

“You can’t deny a genocide or holocaust based on political expediency. It makes absolutely no sense. If we claim as America that we’re a democracy then we have to look in the mirror and ask: Can we lie about a genocide or hold off its recognition for the sake of geopolitical or strategic gains or a military occupation that is unfair in itself? It’s trying to undo one mistake with another mistake and it doesn’t make sense,” Tankian said. “That’s why a lot of Congressmen are behind the resolution, and it passed [the House Foreign Relations] Committee and I’m confident that it will pass the House. And it’s got Speaker [Nancy] Pelosi’s support,” he added.

Tankian continued, “I feel like there’s always going to be an excuse. You know, we’ve waited 92 years, but ultimately I want to go further and say that recognition is not that important.

Recognition is one part of the just solution. If someone came to my house, killed my family and robbed my house, I’m not going to run after them for a hundred years and beg them to recognize that crime. That makes no sense. I’m going to take them to court and I’m going to loudly request justice, and that’s what needs to be done ultimately. But obviously, we all know that this is the first step, so we got to keep the goal in mind.”

Asked about Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice’s statement that “The passage of this resolution indeed will be very problematic for everything we are trying to do in the Middle East,” Tankian responded, “I’m scared of everything they’re trying to do in the Middle East. Maybe the resolution will help them put their asses in place.”