It is a well-known fact that Turkish leaders are exceptional diplomats. However, as soon as they hear the words Armenian Genocide, Greece, Cyprus, or Kurdistan, these diplomats lose their “cool” and resort to emotional outbursts and undiplomatic actions that harm their own interests.
Realizing that this is the 95th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, Turkish officials have been nervously preparing themselves for the upcoming tsunami of commemorations that would remind the international community of the crimes against humanity committed by the Ottoman Turks.
The first unexpected shot was fired on Feb. 26 by the Parliament of the Autonomous Government of Catalonia, Spain, when it unanimously recognized the Armenian Genocide. Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu immediately contacted his Spanish counterpart and Catalonian officials to vent his anger and demand an apology.
Two days later, an expose of the Armenian Genocide was aired by CBS’s “60 Minutes” showing bones of Armenian victims still protruding from Syrian desert sands, almost a century later. The Turks were livid, accusing Armenians of unduly influencing the CBS network and questioning, as usual, the authenticity of the bones and the sand.
Four days later, the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee adopted a resolution acknowledging the Armenian Genocide. Turkey lost despite:
1. Pressuring the Obama Administration to oppose the resolution;
2. Hiring multi-million-dollar lobbying firms;
3. Sending teams of Turkish parliamentarians to Washington;
4. Email campaigns by Turkish and Azeri Americans; and
5. Threatening to boycott U.S. defense contractors if they did not oppose the resolution.
Immediately after losing that vote, Turkey recalled its ambassador from Washington, indicating that he may be kept in Ankara until after April 24. State Minister Zafer Caglayan postponed his U.S. visit intended to develop economic ties “until the United States corrects its mistake.” A scheduled trip by the executive board of the Turkish Industrialists’ and Businessmen’s Association to Washington on March 16 and 17 was also canceled, and anti-American protests were held in Turkish cities. More importantly, Prime Minister Erdogan indicated that he might cancel his planned participation in the global summit on nuclear security to be held in Washington next month.
Before Turkish passions had cooled down, the Swedish Parliament dealt a second devastating blow to Ankara on March 11, by reaffirming the genocide of Armenians, Assyrians, and Greeks by a vote of 131-130. Once again, Turkey recalled its ambassador, and Erdogan canceled his upcoming trip to Stockholm, which was to be accompanied by a large trade delegation. And, anti-Swedish demonstrations were held in several Turkish cities.
These overly dramatic reactions prompted Turkish and foreign commentators to have a field day, speculating that if more countries recognize the Armenian Genocide, Turkey won’t have ambassadors left anywhere in the world, and Turkish officials won’t have to visit other countries, having to cancel their overseas trips. Furthermore, Turkey would be left without any imported goods and a weakened military, having canceled all purchases from the outside world. Turkey’s isolation is a just retribution for its denialist policy. By trying to punish others, Turkey is simply punishing itself.
Vahe Magarian of Cincinnati, Ohio sent a pointed letter to the New York Times last week, suggesting that Turkey’s recalled ambassadors “rather than flying home, should be made to march home on foot. Forced marches were the preferred means of travel during the dying days of the Ottoman Empire.”
Prominent Turkish commentator Can Dundar wrote in Haber1 an article titled “Are we going to recall all our Ambassadors?” He stated that, at this rate, by the time the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide rolls around in 2015, there won’t be a single country left not accusing Turkey of genocide. Isn’t it about time that we search out what dirty work our fathers did 95 years ago? Shouldn’t we ask what did we do wrong, Dundar implored.
The main reason why Turkish officials panic every time the Armenian Genocide is acknowledged by yet another country is their fear of being asked to pay compensation for Armenian losses and return the occupied lands. Erdogan and his colleagues don’t seem to understand that genocide recognition by itself does not lead to legal claims. How many inches of land have Armenians managed to liberate from Turkey as a result of such recognition by more than 20 countries? If Turkish leaders would only understand that parliamentary resolutions have no legal effect, maybe they would not get so excited over them.
Nevertheless, there should be no doubt that Armenians still demand the return of their ancestral lands located in eastern Turkey. Such claims have to be pursued in various courts, unless an unexpected cataclysmic event occurs first, causing the collapse or dismemberment of the Turkish state.
In the meantime, we advise Erdogan to continue denying the genocide at every opportunity in order to encourage Armenians to persist in their efforts to expose Ankara’s lies. Were it not for Turkish officials’ vehement denials, there would not have been a worldwide outcry to reaffirm the facts of the Armenian Genocide by airing TV documentaries and adopting genocide resolutions.
Mr. Erdogan, please keep up the good work. Armenians need your kind assistance to pursue their cause until justice is done.
Harut Sassounian
Սիրելի Սասունեան,
Լիովին համաձայն եմ սակայն… բարձրաձայն մի մտածեր: «Իշու ակաջին ձմերուկի կեղեւի մասին չեն խօսիր» Առած:
Excellent words Mr. Sassounian….the tribes of Urartu are rejoicing!
AN EXCELLENT ARTICLE MR. HARUT SASSOUNIAN!! I loved it the moment I read the title: “Advice to Prime Minister Erdogan: Continue Denying the Genocide”. I also liked the last lines: “Mr. Erdogan, please keep up the good work. Armenians need your kind assistance to pursue their cause until justice is done.” I enjoyed reading this insightful and interesting article and look forward to reading more of your articles soon. Thank you.
Mr. Sasounian you are a brave Armenian, “carry on the torch of justice”
Good article. However you forgot to include the most important statement by Erdogan about DEPORTING 100,000 undocumented Armenians from Turkey…
John K. why are for Turkey anyway? You talk this way because you never lived around Muslims to know what the reality is……I hope you learn one day.
Great article as usual Mr. Sassounian.
For a supposedly great modern country, one cannot help but feel embarassed for Turkey for its ridiculously unsophisticated and almost juvenile behavior. They want to punish everyone for recognizing the truth, instead of putting an end to all this by recognizing the truth themselves. Just like you said, the paranoia stems from their fear that they are going to be asked to return everything they have stolen. What they are not realizing however, is that at the pace they are going, recognizing the truth will probably cost them less in dignity, reputation and money in the long run.
In the case of Erdogan, the more he talks, the more he is unveiling the ugly truth about where Turkey has remained. Definitely not modern day material. How can Europe still consider Turkey for the Euro Union is beyond me. And his most recent comment of expelling Armenians from Turkey takes the cake! Turkey’s leadership is ages away from being democratic, and it is impeding the progress of the educated and decent segments in its society.
Dear Mr. Sassounian, you never cease to amaze me and make me have a big smile on my face. You always had my vote… you have inspired me with your wonderful articles, brainstorms and good thoughts. I love it, continue your plight while we’ll continue reading your articles and being inspired by you! Thank you! Nairian
To the Editorial Board,
Hello! What happened to the piece which I had written and submitted? Are you people back to that stupid censorship and deletion game once again? How sad!!! How about stopping this childish game once and for all and enjoy the first ammendment!
Robert, How dare you call the Editors of Armenian Weekly doing childish games??
May God forbid, if I had to go to a turkish newspaper and post half of the posts you trash out in here; they would either not let me post from the ghettgo or they would ban me soon after. Be very thankful that the editors of Armenian Weekly are extremely democratic in nature and have given you ample rights as anyone of us would have, and sometimes even more.
For the same reason there are Armenians all over the world, the result of Turkish policy of subjecting the Armenian nation to GENOCIDE!!!!! My ancestors lived around muslims in Turkey and I have to live in the US as a result. Is there justice in the world? Anywhere?
I wish one day I to will be able to go and reclaim my ancestral home in Dortyol, in Cilicia…
To Robert,
How about stopping this stupid and childish Turkish game once and for all, and enjoy the freedom of accepting the truth just like Germany?
Dear Harut,
It goes without even saying,but I sall repeat again .Youare our ex-offcio spokesmanin Diaspora.Hopefully will be so affirmed officially,when ,your others’ wish for a Re-rganized Diaspora take centre-stage.Your Position? again without saying our Press/Media Rep.and Spokesman.Your intervews on USArmenia T.V.are very much of interest as well and always to the point.And pursueing the day by day developments on the Armenian-Turkish scenario. If I may make a “suggestion”..it is to als remind all that we should demand “Blood Money”,prior t the other confiscated lands ,proeprties Monasteriesd/churches scools destroyed and our ancestors riches looted..
This, is what is much more feasible,witness the Germany’s cash payments to the Jews as for ,and repeat “Blood Money”.After all this is a huge precedent and aso the Insurance companiesalso agreed to pay for the deaths of Armenians in the Ottoman Turkey.Indeed ONLY to those who had somehow procured/purchased Life insurance.
Which is aother proof that those people did not die of “natual causes” or disappeared in thin air…
Land issue is a bit more complicated.No, not for us,we know where our ancestors lived.But for republic of turkey, since they are up against yet another very thick problem, that of the not too long ago repeatedly dubbed as “mountain turks”.Now calling them by ther real name…. KURDS.Aroud 20 million?
Best Rgds.
G.P.
“Mr. Erdogan, please keep up the good work. Armenians need your kind assistance to pursue their cause until justice is done.’
I could not say it better myself. Actually, I think I did. The silly and childish responses of the Turkish governments to theatrics of a bunch of politicians and hate lobbies that feed them, just keeps fueling the frenzy and gives meaning to the existence of the genocide industry.