Topic of the day 09:19 30/04/2014

Armenians should thank Erdogan for… NOT recognizing the Genocide

By Harut Sassounian
Thecaliforniacourier.com

Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan’s statement on the ‘events of 1915’ released in nine languages last week was a major propaganda coup for Turkey, generating worldwide publicity. The announcement was so cleverly crafted that it fooled many in the international community — and regrettably, some Armenians — into believing that he came close to recognizing the Armenian Genocide or at least took ‘an historic’ step in the right direction.

In reality, Erdogan’s statement was nothing more than rephrased denial or old wine in a new bottle. Carefully avoiding the term ‘Armenian Genocide,” he conveniently borrowed Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu’s deceptive terminology of ‘shared pain’ and ‘just memory,’ words that sound conciliatory, but actually equate the murderers with the victims. The Turkish Prime Minister’s reference to millions of Turks and others who also died during World War I is an insult to the memory of the 1.5 million victims of the Armenian Genocide. Millions of Germans also perished in World War II, but no one in their right mind and good conscience would equate their deaths with the extermination of six million Jews!

Erdogan’s call for a “joint historical commission to study the events of 1915” is another worn out and shrewd delay tactic. If Turkish officials are sincere in wanting to learn the facts of the Armenian Genocide, all they have to do is review the extensive documentation available in their own archives as well as studies conducted by countless historians and genocide scholars around the world. Why did the Turkish government wait for almost 100 years to show an interest in researching this topic? Why are some of the most sensitive Ottoman archives still kept under lock and key, not to mention those that were shredded long ago?

I have written many times for several years that:
1. Despite Turkish denials, the Armenian Genocide is a recognized fact by the international community and there is no need to wait for Pres. Obama, Prime Minister Erdogan or anyone else to acknowledge it.
2. Genocide recognition cannot right the wrongs committed by uprooting and decimating the Armenian people. A more appropriate objective would be to seek justice through legal channels, demanding restitution, both financial and territorial.
3. The Turkish offer for ‘reconciliation’ is nothing but a sinister ploy to bury the past with a meaningless acknowledgment and apology. True reconciliation is achieved by undoing the enormous damage inflicted on the Armenian nation.
It is imperative that Armenians remain vigilant and not be deceived by fake Turkish offers of reconciliation. Between now and April 24, 2015, the Turkish government will probably announce many more publicity stunts to win over the sympathy of the international community and minimize the damage to Turkey’s already tarnished reputation by accusations of genocide.

One such Turkish plan is Davutoglu’s cynical statement that the Armenian Diaspora is also Turkey’s Diaspora! There have been media reports that the Turkish government is preparing to grant citizenship to the descendants of former Ottoman subjects, including Armenians. Surprisingly, some naïve Armenians are fooled into thinking that this is a positive step! Just imagine settling in one of the towns of Turkish-occupied Western Armenia or Cilicia as a citizen of Turkey, and having your sons drafted into the Turkish military to ‘defend the Turkish nation’ and take part in the invasion of Kessab or Aleppo or even Armenia! How about being jailed, under article 301 of the Turkish Penal Code, because you made the mistake of speaking about the Armenian Genocide to one of your Turkish neighbors!

Erdogan’s real intent in issuing his April 23, 2014 statement is to undermine the worldwide Armenian efforts to seek justice as they prepare for the Centennial of the Armenian Genocide.

The fact that the State Department and some European officials reacted positively to Erdogan’s statement is an indication that this was a coordinated attempt to provide cover for the Obama administration and European countries not to deal with the Armenian demands on the genocide issue, using the excuse that Turkey’s leaders are in the process of reconciling with Armenians.

Armenians should resist the pressures by third parties to abandon the pursuit of their historic claims. The views of the US government or the EU on Armenian demands from Turkey should be irrelevant. Armenians should be the masters of their own fate and not allow other nations to dictate what is acceptable or unacceptable to them in the pursuit of their national interest. 



Source Panorama.am
Share |
Տեքստում սխալ կամ վրիպակ նկատելու դեպքում, ուղարկեք խմբագրին հաղորդագրություն` նշելով տվյալ սխալը, այնուհետև սեղմելով Ctrl-Enter:

Newsfeed

17:00
Rain, snow expected in Armenia on Tuesday
Rain and snow are expected in some parts of Armenia on Tuesday and over the weekend. Clear weather is forecast for the next three days....
16:45
Melania Trump expected to skip White House meeting with Jill Biden
Melania Trump is not expected to attend the traditional White House meeting with first lady Jill Biden, CNN reported, citing sources...
16:31
Urartu names new director
FC Urartu has named Davit Shakhbagyan as the club’s new general director. The specialist has been part of the club since 2015, it said...
16:06
Ruling party blocks statement on Armenian prisoners
The parliamentary faction of Armenia's ruling Civil Contract party on Tuesday blocked a statement demanding the release of...
15:30
Negotiations with Snoop Dogg continue for Yerevan concert, ministry says
The new date for the concert of famous American rapper Snoop Dogg in Yerevan remains unknown. The concert, which was initially scheduled for...
15:02
India reportedly ships first Akash air defence missile system battery to Armenia
India marks another milestone in its defence export as it shipped the first Akash weapon system battery to Armenia. This is the second missile...
14:34
Trump picks Kristi Noem as his Homeland Security secretary
President-elect Donald Trump has selected South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem as his next secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, CNN...
14:15
Four arrested after raids at Yerevan district administration
Four people, including officials, were arrested on Tuesday after law-enforcement authorities raided Yerevan's Kentron district...
13:36
Armenian Foreign Ministry explains Mirzoyan's statement on customs simplifications with Azerbaijan
At the ministerial meeting of the 3+3 regional consultative platform held in Istanbul on October 18, Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan...
13:08
Bitcoin tops $89,000
Bitcoin’s record-breaking rally took the digital asset past $89,000 and lifted the overall value of the crypto market above its...
12:36
Armenia sees rise in pneumonia mortality rate
World Pneumonia Day is observed annually on November 12 to raise awareness about pneumonia, a life-threatening but preventable and...
12:13
Opposition urges parliament majority to join statement on Armenian prisoners
The opposition Hayastan and Pativ Unem factions in the Armenian parliament have initiated a special sitting on the issue of Armenian prisoners...
11:36
Presidential office denies reports of Vahagn Khachaturyan's hospitalization
The Armenian presidential office has denied reports about President Vahagn Khachaturyan’s hospitalization. “Reports alleging...
11:15
WCC, World Evangelical Alliance and global partners call for immediate release of Armenian prisoners
The World Evangelical Alliance, in collaboration with the World Council of Churches (WCC), Christian Solidarity International, and a coalition...
11:00
Michel, Aliyev discuss Armenia-Azerbaijan normalization
European Council President Charles Michel discussed the Armenia-Azerbaijan normalization process with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev....
17:17
Armenia wins six medals at World Sambo Championships
Armenian sambo fighters captured six medals, including two silver and four bronze, at the 2024 World Sambo Championships held in Astana,...
16:57
Azerbaijani regime ethnically cleansed Nagorno-Karabakh, new report says
The Azerbaijani regime engaged in ethnic cleansing against the ethnic Armenian population of Nagorno-Karabakh, according to a report released...
16:36
Armenian church leader off to India
Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II on Monday travelled to India on a patriarchal visit at the invitation of the church department of Kolkata...
16:16
Deputy FM: Yerevan, Baku still disagree on some issues
Armenian Deputy Foreign Minister Vahan Kostanyan says that differences remain with Azerbaijan over the draft text of a peace treaty....
15:32
Armenian MP: Azerbaijan toughened rhetoric ahead of COP29
Azerbaijan’s rhetoric has significantly toughened ahead of COP29, Armenian opposition MP Tigran Abrahamyan says. “Its causes are...
15:14
Georgia president calls for fresh parliamentary elections
Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili on Monday called for fresh parliamentary elections to resolve a crisis sparked by last month's vote...
14:50
Armenian Interior Ministry suspends surveillance bill
The Armenian Interior Ministry has suspended a bill on the mandatory installation of video surveillance systems with 24-hour police access...
14:15
Armenian GM beats Azeri rival at European Individual Chess Championship
The European Individual Chess Championship 2024 is being held in Petrovac, Montenegro from 7-20 November. After 3 rounds, GM Robert...
13:59
Armenian parliament commission's report on 2020 war probe ready, senior MP says
The Armenian parliament commission has completed its report on the outcome of a probe into the circumstances of the 2020 Artsakh war, senior...
13:20
Trump plans to return bust of Winston Churchill to White House
Donald Trump has vowed to return a bust of Winston Churchill to the Oval Office as a 'mark of respect', the Daily Mail reports....
13:05
Numerous archaeological materials found at excavations in Armenia's Ohanavan
Excavations have resumed at the newly-discovered early medieval rock-hewn tomb in the Ohanavan community of Armenia's Aragatsotn Province...
12:46
Australia plans social media ban for children under 16
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced Thursday what he called a "world-leading" plan to implement a social media ban...
12:36
Armenia's Arsen Khandzhian wins silver at World Sambo Championships
Armenian sambo fighter Arsen Khandzhian captured a silver medal at the 2024 World Sambo Championships held in Astana, Kazakhstan,...
12:23
Junior Eurovision: Armenia's Leo had his first rehearsal
Armenia's delegate Leo had his first rehearsal at the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2024 in Madrid on Sunday. Leo was joined on stage...
17:10
Opposition MP urges end to 'disgraceful' chapter of Pashinyan's rule
Opposition lawmaker Tigran Abrahamyan has reacted to Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev’s threats against Armenia and “derogatory...

Follow us and get updates!

Most popular articles

{"core.blocks.header.spell_message1":"Selected mistake: ","core.blocks.header.spell_message2":"Send a message about the mistake?"}