Hamparian: ‘Prime Minister Davutoglu’s fake apology today grants no recognition, accepts no responsibility, expresses no regret, and offers no reparations.’
ANKARA, Turkey (A.W.)—Turkey’s Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu extended condolences on April 20 to descendants of “Ottoman Armenians,” survivors of the “1915 deportations,” the same day that Germany announced its plan to “stand behind” a resolution affirming the Armenian Genocide.
Like earlier statements by Turkish officials, Davutoglu spoke of a “shared pain” and rejected the notion that genocide had taken place within the borders of modern Turkey. Davutoglu also took the opportunity to announce that a religious service would be held at the Armenian Patriarchate in Istanbul on April 24 to commemorate the lives lost.
“To reduce everything to a single word, to place all the responsibility solely on the Turkish nation…and to combine this with a discourse of hatred is legally and morally problematic,” said Davutoglu, who added that he believed that “facing history in an honest way” is as important as commemorating victims.
“Prime Minister Davutoglu’s fake apology today grants no recognition, accepts no responsibility, expresses no regret, and offers no reparations,” said Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) Executive Director Aram Hamparian, adding, “Facing a global wave of Armenian Genocide recognition—from the Pope to the European Parliament—Turkey’s leaders are defiantly doubling down on denial.”
Davutoglu also spoke about “healing the wounds” of the past and “reestablishing” the human bond, as well as Turkey’s efforts to create a space where information and historical documents could be discussed. Making false equivalences, Davutoglu talked about the “great torments” that were suffered by Ottoman citizens of various ethnic backgrounds in the last days of the Ottoman Empire. “We once again respectfully remember Ottoman Armenians who lost their lives during the deportation of 1915 and share the pain of their children and grandchildren,” he said, adding that perhaps Turkey and Armenia could remember the Ottoman Armenians together when history becomes depoliticized.
Davutoglu spoke about a duty to “protect” the memory of Ottoman Armenians and the Armenian cultural heritage, which he said was the motivating factor in scheduling the April 24 Istanbul Armenian Patriarchate church service. He concluded his statement with the “shared pain” rhetoric.
Davutoglu made no reference to the diversionary tactic of commemorating the Centennial of the Gallipoli Battles on the day Armenians commemorate the genocide.
“On April 24, President Obama has a historic opportunity to reject Turkey’s gag-rule, ending a shameful chapter of U.S. complicity in Ankara’s denial, and moving Turkey, Armenia, and the region toward a better future based upon a truthful and just resolution of this crime,” said Hamparian.
What does one expect? A person who will not admit to past transgressions is a coward. Why our country, with documented accounts from 1915-1918 by the US Ambassador to Turkey and the US Consulate in Kharpert, continues to support this group of cowards is incomprehensible. It is time for President Obama to stand up as a leader and recognize historical fact documented by our diplomats.
Turkey needs to stand up, like a man and come to terms with their true history of Genocide against Armenians and other Christians.
Until they do this, they cannot be counted among the civilized countries of the world.
They are only hurting their legitimacy with this childish behavior.
“All of the discourse occurring in civil society and other platforms — in the media in particular — does not mean the Turkish state has changed its official policy toward the Armenian genocide.
Official denial remains unchanged”…
ORHAN KEMAL CENGİZ
Today’s Zaman…http://www.todayszaman.com/columnist/orhan-kemal-cengiz/turkeys-genocide-conundrum_378151.html
Fearing the Bundestag’s vote, and unpleasant statements from Congress, he says things that sound conciliatory but mean nothing. The Turkish less horrific cop always gets squirted out in front of the microphone at times like these due to such pressure. For sure he will offer more Church and Foundation property. Maybe discounted homeland tour tix on Turkish Airlines.
Pres. Obama needs to stand up to Turkey and call its bluff. If Turkey follows through with any of its threats, Pres. Obama can always suggest stopping financial aid and any other six to Turkey.
Exactly what pain did they, the Ottoman Turks share with the Armenians, Greeks, and Assyrians living in the Ottoman Empire in the early twentieth century? Did they lose as many lives at the hands of the ruling government of the time?
See the treatise on youtube and facebook in English and Turkish.
(Turkish) “Attention Turkish Mothers;The Armenian Genocide”
And (English) “To Turkish Mothers; The Armenian Genocide”
Also in 17 languages on youtube & facebook “The Armenian Genocide, Fact or Fiction”
Crocodile tears??? This moron with his cynical smile should just shut his mouth, nobody is swallowing Turkish lies anymore.
Obama is not a friend. Turkey has a moral obligation to recognize genocide BUT THEY APPEAR to not have morals. But if you need a liar ask one of them.
“To reduce everything to a single word, to place all the responsibility solely on the Turkish nation … and to combine this with a discourse of hatred is legally and morally problematic”
Davitoglu; Send your complaints and anger to Enver and Talaat Pasha, your rulers who issued the orders for extermination of our people.
A full apology and reparations are required for Turkey to be a member of the civilized world.
Grow up, Turkey. Grow up.
Erdogan and Davutoglu are both shortsighted politicians, they will end up obliging countries like the Vatican, Germany, UK. US. and others to open their archives, the facts will humiliate big time the new generation of the Turkish people.
Pashas: Butchers: Saffahs
How Many Souls Can Humans Mourn?
Innocent orphans were singing Just a few days before, for
Pashas to live long (Yasha, Yasha our dears, our Pashas)
Pashas lived to slash innocent singers’ throats;
My mother, Viva* sang in tears,
I learned Turkish from her indoors.
Today I’m poeting insightfully
Easing her bitterness . . . her seared vocal cords.
Ottoman pashas dispatched letters.
All letters were ordered to be opened at the same time.
In every city, village, town . . . The slaughter started . . .
From that unlucky day . . . diabolic spring timed-era . . .
So no-one can tell one another to flee even naked . . .
Yet to kiss . . . hug . . . wave farewell . . .
Commands were given to slay
Each Armenian who stared.
All Armenians should be humiliated . . . annihilated . . .
In only one day, from dawn to dusk.
No time for prayer, even for Turks,
Who must pray five times each day. … .
Dr. Sylva Portoian
***
*Victoria Dabbagian-Portoian (1910-2002):
She was only five years old during genocide,
She kept saying, I had a great luck to survive!
She wished always to be wealthy
Not for her self, but to care for orphans.
ref: the author’s poetry book A Poetic Soul Shined of Genocides, 2008
and in “My Son -My Sun…” June 2011
the international court of human rights at the hague should be the next step.why is it taking so long.
Turkey is run by ultra-nationalist, its young and educated will change things for the better if they stay put and get involved instead of emigrating
THANK YOU GERMANY,THANK YOU AUSTRIA WHAT KEPT YOU?
Hello from Turkey. I am one of those Turks who want Turkey to acknowledge the genocide. I am also disappointed (but sadly not too surprised)with all this continuing-denial from Turkish authorities.
I don’t know the percentage of anti-denialist people like me in Turkey but our percentage is gradually growing (maybe around only 15-20 percent now).
But for example, as you can guess, in social media, I often get insults from denialist countrymen.