Sarkissian: Open Letter to Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu
Below is an open letter by K. M. Greg Sarkissian of the Zoryan Institute to Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu in response to his interview as quoted in F. Bila’s Milliyet column (March 26, 2010).
***
March 28, 2010
Your Excellency Mr. Ahmet Davutoglu:
You are right to want to normalize relations not only with Armenia, but also Armenians in the diaspora, and you will find that most Armenians also want to normalize relations, but without any preconditions.
You are right that Diaspora Armenians are not one category. Four generations removed from 1915, they are integrated in their adopted countries and some are totally assimilated. They see themselves as American, Argentinean, French, Iranian, Lebanese, Russian, or Syrian. There are some who have married Muslims and converted to Islam. They are all quite different from each other, depending on where they live.
They all share a common history and an unshakeable trauma, however, resulting from the crime of genocide committed by the Ottoman Turks in 1915. This has created a very strong collective sense of responsibility in them to pursue justice. If the “prominent names who participated in the funeral after the death of Hrant Dink” in 2007 were touched when Turkish people embraced Hrant Dink, it is because those Turks carrying placards saying “We all are Armenians” were in fact acknowledging that their countrymen who had killed Hrant Dink displayed the same mentality as that of the Young Turks in 1915.
I am sure that the Armenian people worldwide would embrace the whole nation of Turkey, if the government of Turkey acknowledged the responsibility of its predecessor, the Ottoman government, in the planned annihilation of its Armenian citizens, expressed a sincere apology, and made appropriate efforts at atonement. That would build trust between the parties and allow peace to prevail.
“We need to show empathy in order to understand what Armenians lived through and what they felt, but they need to show respect to our memory. … 1915 may be the year of the deportations [tehcir] but, at the same time, it is the year of Canakkale [Battle of Gallipoli].” This is very misguided, because while Armenians were not the cause of Canakkale, the Ottoman government was the cause of the annihilation of their Armenian citizens. One can understand the trauma of Turkish soldiers fighting for their country’s existence, but how is this comparable to the atrocities committed against unarmed Armenian civilians? Should we equate the pain and suffering of the Jews and others resulting from the Holocaust to the pain of the Germans who were killed by the Allies during World War II, which was started by their government?
You state, “The issue has a psychological dimension. It has a legal dimension. And a political and historical dimension.” For Turks, they are embodied in the loss of a massive amount of the territory of the empire, the expulsion of the Muslims from the Balkans, the intervention of the Europeans in Ottoman internal affairs, and the existential struggle for the existence of the country. For Armenians, they are embodied in the massacres of 1894-96, when some 200,000 Armenians were slaughtered; then in the Adana massacres in 1909, when 15,000 to 30,000 Armenians were killed; followed by the deportations and murders of 1915-22, when some 1.5 million Armenians were annihilated. This mistreatment continued after the establishment of the Turkish republic with the destruction of Armenian cultural monuments and churches, the confiscation of church assets, the forced assimilation and name changes, the Varlik Vergisi of 1942, the assassination of Hrant Dink in 2007, when the police had their picture taken proudly with Ogun Samast and holding the Turkish flag as if they were part of a great patriotic event. These all display a deep and persistent hostility towards the Armenians and other non-Turkish minorities in your country, for which no one in Turkey has ever been called to account, and this impunity has only encouraged further acts of hostility and political violence. Most recently, on March 17, 2010, the threat of your own prime minister, Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdogan, to deport Armenians from Turkey reveals the extent of political violence in the Turkish psyche and a complete disrespect for human rights.
The people of the world are becoming increasingly aware of the phenomenon of genocide every day. These are people with a strong commitment to universal human rights. They demand that their governments intervene to prevent injustices, such as in Darfur. They understand that to be able to prevent genocide from recurring, they have to stop being accomplices in the denial of genocide. That is why places like Catalonia, Sweden, and the United States House Foreign Relations Committee still pass resolutions recognizing the Armenian Genocide. Because forgetting and impunity for violence encourage further violence.
You say, “If intellectuals and politicians fulfill the parts that fall on their shoulders, a new and possibly a more rooted period of peace stretches before us.” We heartily agree. Therefore, please give your intellectuals the freedom to talk openly about the historical facts surrounding 1915. Do not prosecute them when they speak about these events as genocide. Do not call them “traitors trying to stab the nation from the back” when they organize conferences as they did in Istanbul in 2005. Do not let them be killed like Hrant Dink.
Most Armenians can distinguish between the Turkey of 1915 and that of today. No one holds any Turk living today responsible for the crime of genocide committed by the Ottomans. Yet, they do hold your country and your government responsible for the act of denial, which itself is considered the continuation of the crime of genocide.
“Defending our national honor” will occur when your own countrymen are allowed to learn about their history without risk of persecution. This would empower them with the knowledge to find a new language for dialogue. That is the most important psychological barrier to overcome. When your country is able to accept the fact that there was a planned annihilation of the Armenians in 1915, not only will you find “Armenian communities with which you will be able to start a dialogue,” but you would be able to win the hearts and the minds of the people of your neighboring country, the Republic of Armenia, and Armenians worldwide would become ambassadors of goodwill for Turkey and its people.
Respectfully yours,
K. M. Greg Sarkissian
glas@sprynet.com
Guest Contributor
Who is Greg Sarkisian, and why on earth did he write that there are some Diasporans “who have married Moslems and converted to Islam”?
Dave.Did you read Dr. Astarjian article The good the bad and the so so Armenians maybe that will enlightenyou.(circumstances) i say it again and again the weight of all our Armenian problems not standing united,to this day each organisations blowing their own horns.If you can find a way for all to blow their horns at the same rhythm just think what Armenians can achieve?
Who is Greg Sarkisian? Well, for starters, you could read the editor’s note on top.
As for Diasporans who have converted to islam… there are some of those, you know. Not mentionning it does not mean it doesn’t exist! You can’t deny the truth for ever. Even Turkey seems to have understood it.
Dear Dave,
It is very unfortunate but Greg is right when he said that there were Armenians who married Muslims and converted.. They had no choice if they wanted to survive…That is in the past.. I would imagine any Armenian with his or her right mind would not marry a Muslim in modern world but then again who knows??? …I hope not… ????
However, that said.. I think Greg did an excellent job writing this letter.. That was a very nice to do…even though many would say it is just waste of time cause Turkey will not budge.. still.. thank you for doing that…….
Gayane
Not a word about reparations, nor about restoration of our lands to us. Not good.
To FM of Turkey only FM of Armenia should respond. We should remain silent to any rhetoric relating to the Armenian genocide. Enough words are said.
Besides that, we give a precedent for Turkey to claim that dialog has been established. And the world will say his part: “Let us wait and see the historical rapprochement”.
Greg, There are some Muslim background nationalities, where converted back to Christianity and stay as “Armenians”…one more thing, we do not beg Turks to recognize our Genocide.
The reality of Armenian Genocide accepted by the most “civilized nations” of the world, and there will be no “U TURN”
Dear Garen…
Ayo.. that part was missed.. agreed.. lav kliner vor aser..bayts de ova lsogha.. ??
Ehhhh.. you think that letter will get to him? they may burn it or rip it before it gets to Davutoghlu… but at least etqan el grela… de vochinch.. i am sure he realized that he missed that chunk from his letter.. maybe he can write a “Part II”…
Gayane
can anybody tell me how you are planning to achieve your greater armenia?
i mean, seriously. please explain to me logically how this will happen.
dont tell me “the justice of god will occur and we will get our lands back”. give me a plan that you think you could realize your dream.
Bravo Greg. Your article is excellent.
read it or not ,recived it or not ,he knows very well without a letter ,a country like Turkey doesn’t want to put her nose down for the Armenian or accept reality ,they always will stay in that mentality thinking themselves a superpower of that region ,for her who is the Armenians .
Today 70 % of Armenian land is under her hands .would we think one day they will return it back ?
I’m not sure if Davutoglu, the self proclaimed scholar/ historian, needs someone to read this to him or if he can actually read? Nice letter but it will go on deaf ears. Turks aren’t about reasoning, compassion, understanding, humility, understanding, introspection. They are about opportunity, theft, falsification, low self esteem, master race mentality, oppression, rape, murder etc. They always have been. They always will be.
Armenians not being splintered, working as one and unified in one cause is worth a million of these letters.
Dear John,
You hit the bull’s eye with your comment.. I could not say it any better…
All the characteristics you described about Turkey is very accurate.. and the funny thing is Murat called me having low self =esteem …HA.. hillarious…
Murat,
I am happy to see that you read the Armenian articles all day long. Tells me you are very scared and need to know everything that is going on. however, i would recommend to spend less time commenting and more time educating yourself on the history and maybe start accepting that the Genocide happened.. Reading all these articles should have given you some direction….. Why can’t you as a Turk stop for a minute and tell yourself why in the world so many Turkish intellectuals started to come out and speak freely about this? Let me give you few names just in case you have not heard about them…
Just so you know.. I have great respect and love for these individuals because they got over their own ignorance, and made a decision that being truthful is the best course of action.. They apologized…May God protect them from your kind and your govt who still believe that Armenians owe Turks and it was Armenians that conquer and caused the Genocide…
JAMAL PASHA’s grandon: journalist- Hasan Jemal
Temel Demirer- Writer, Publicist
Osman Ozelik-Turkish Parliamentarian
Ragip Zarakolu- Editor
Cengiz Aktar- Professor
Ahmed Incel- Professor
Baskin Oran- Political Analyst
Ali Bayramoglu-Journalist and many more
Every Turk should follow the steps of these brave men and get over their insecurities and face the truth..
Gayane
Dear ones,
about Moslem Armenians,
I have seen them. there are tens of thousands of them in Syria. They have organised themslves into a tribe: Ashirat al Arman al mouslima ( Tribe of Moslem Armenians. This tribe alone, has 25,000 members. There are many others who are not members of the tribe. The members are the descedants of the boys lost or abducted. The children of abducted girls do not count! This has been founded in Feb. 1998.
They remember their past. Proud of their roots.
Some carry armenians names. In one family I came across 4 little girls with the names: Nanor, Nairi, Armine & Menar!
Then to Mr. Ahmed,
You insist upon having our plan for the Greater Armenia. Well will you put it in action? There is no need for you to know about that plan. Just tke care that you learn the real history of your nation.
G. Sarkissan,
Shad abris. Even if you and others are not read by Mr. Davidouglu, still any one who can declare the truth, has to that. We can not rely on Mr. Nalbandian . He can’t say every thing. Who ever can, let him do that.
Armenian commentators,
It’s come to my attention that a Turk by the name ‘Ahmet’ posting comments here has just insulted the Christian faith in another discussion. Here’s his exact words: ‘if armenians knew Islam better than Turks, they would be Muslim by now and would not believe such a nonsense as trinity.’
Moderators, I don’t know if derogatory and faith-insulting words and their authors can at all be allowed to post here. Never had any Armenian in this or any other discussion remotely hinted anything negative towards Islam or their prophet Muhamad.
This is what Turks are all about…
Dear John,
I disagree to these generalizations. Armenians are not yearning for labeling.
Ahmed, we are not recreating or restoring greater Armenia. You already indirectly accepted the fact of the seizure of these lands which also indirectly means acknowledging the Genocide. What I personally want is to overcome the pain that I have grown with listening to the stories of my great-grandparents whose relatives were tortured, and whose heads were sawed off. There is an outstanding American-Armenian, Peter Balakian, and once he told two young Turkish women who were jealously denying the Genocide: “I am sorry for you for you are robbed of your own history and are ignorant of it.” One apology and one official acknowledgement statement will bring so much relief to both parties. But “Sorry seems to be the hardest word…” So try and be brave enough to face your own history. No one wants lands, yet…
Hye, when I think of the years of 1
Turks not admitting the Armenian Genocide’ for nearly 100 years
only yesterday, the 15year old Kurdish girl being jailed;
just yesterday, Turks ‘ grant’ one day a year at the “museum”of Ani;
all the years of obvious fears of the Armenians as citizens of a Turkey;
Hrant Dink, and so many others, Christians slaughtered by ‘prepared youths’
still, Turkish education system – students taught to hate Armenians (the victims)
and my list can go on… sadly!
Now, I cannot believe that any nation (especially uncivilized society of Turkey)
is capable of such a ‘turn around’ – rapidly!! Just another Turks’ PLOY
For this Ottoman mentality leaderships are not as the Germans, (basically a civilized nation misled by a Hitler) hence the honesty of the Germans to seek democracy.
Turks call themselves a democracy-but before the world Turkish democracy is nonexistent.
As we wanted the Armenian leaders of today not to trust the Turkish ‘road map’ –
knowing of the dishonest y of their leadership, too
DO NOT TRUST THE TURKS TODAY… those who are seeking freedom from their
tyrannical leaders have not yet their strengths to combat Ottoman mentalities.
Fool me once…. Fool me twice!! Manooshag
Kristine,
I will never ever acknowledge that my ancestors perpetrated a genocide against any nation.
You said you are not creating or restoring greater armenia? Are you serious? what is the AgriDagi (mt.Ararat) sign on the banner of armenia?
can anybody tell me how you are planning to achieve your greater armenia?
i mean, seriously. please explain to me logically how this will happen.
dont tell me “the justice of god will occur and we will get our lands back”. give me a plan that you think you could realize your dream.
Hye, when I think of the years of:
Turks not admitting the Armenian Genocide’ for nearly 100 years
only yesterday, the 15year old Kurdish girl being jailed;
just yesterday, Turks ‘ grant’ one day a year at the “museum”of Ani;
all the years of obvious fears of the Armenians as citizens of a Turkey;
Hrant Dink, and so many others, Christians slaughtered by ‘prepared youths’
still, Turkish education system – students taught to hate Armenians (the victims)
and my list can go on… sadly!
Now, I cannot believe that any nation (especially uncivilized society of Turkey)
is capable of such a ‘turn around’ – rapidly!! Just another Turks’ PLOY
For this Ottoman mentality leaderships are not as the Germans, (basically a civilized nation misled by a Hitler) hence the honesty of the Germans to seek democracy.
Turks call themselves a democracy-but before the world Turkish democracy is nonexistent.
As we wanted the Armenian leaders of today not to trust the Turkish ‘road map’ –
knowing of the dishonest y of their leadership, too
DO NOT TRUST THE TURKS TODAY… those who are seeking freedom from their
tyrannical leaders have not yet their strengths to combat Ottoman mentalities.
And, add: Turks are famous for distractions, delays, endlessly!
Fool me once…. Fool me twice!! Manooshag
P.S.
Or pull a Turkey trick – change rules midstream….
What’s good for the goose is good for the gander…
Manooshag
Never Say Never!
There are good and bad people in all races, cultures, religions, and creeds.
Where there is dialogue, there is progress, compromise, and change!
When enough good people come together…you will see great results! Never will become maybe, maybe evolve to likely, and likely change to definitely. The key is Dialogue without prejudice, fear, cowardice, and tunnel vision.
God bless!
Turkeys need to join the common market and prove to its prospective partners its improved credentials on human rights.
This may well be symbolised by finding ways to accept the genocide committed by its ancestors the ottoman empire. This could be achieved by a myriad of documents that exist, coming to light that prove the point and that require the Turks to re write their history books and accept the fact that their ancestors the ottoman Empire had committed genocide on the Armenians. They could as gesture of reparations (that can never meaningfully compensate Armenians but are merely a gesture in that direction) give back to Armenia its old territories including mount Ararat. Would that not seem would seem very appropriate (the USA and Europe can of course indicate to Turkey such a gesture and recognition would indeed ensure their membership of the EU ) Perhaps Armenia also could look to a future within the EU in due course as well as being far more aligned with the Christian western world. Solutions that have something for everyone can achieve all the main protagonists plans / dreams
Ahmed,
World knows the name as “Ararat” nothing else.. most historians claim Ararat is a part of Armenian culture and destiny. Never mind if the holy Armenian mountain is captured by none believers, it is still loved and cared by his beloved Noah’s children called “Armenians”.. just like our captured ancient Armenian capital city “Ani”, which is very popular name among female Armenian population and Ararat among male Armenian population..
Whether you acknowledge it or not is irrelevent! The simple fact is that it has happened, it is abundantly documented, and any historian worth his salt agrees to it. Once the famous law #301 is removed (and its days are numbered), the floodgates of recognition will be opened from within Turkey itself. Stop playing the ostrich!
Ahmet,
I think you should be ashamed, if such a thing as ‘shame’ is known at all to the Turks, to insult my faith with your dirty words, apologize to all the readers in this discussion, and only then consider posting your foolish comments in these pages. Don’t you know that Christians are the People of the Book according to Koran, who need to be respected? Or you’re unaware of your own religion’s postulates either? You trumpet about how ‘wonderful’ people the Turks are, but at the same time by insulting other peoples’ faith you show to all readers of this Forum how essentially miserable, close-minded, and bad-mannered the Turks are.
Apologize for insulting the Holy Trinity, coward!
Not a bad letter but I agree with Yegparian. Greg, leave the mushy emotional appeals about Armenians and Turks “embracing the Turkish nation together” baloney out of such a letter. This is not a letter to your long lost brother. Your letter is addressing a shameful government policy towed by a government lackey who should know better than to promote intolerance. Keep it to the point, keep it direct and no need for dolma diplomacy to cloak demands for what is rightfully yours (ours). In addition, reparations and land restitution MUST be part of such letters. Why don’t you visit your Canadian colleagues website, Mr. Ara Papian for more information regarding our legal rights to Wilsonian Armenia. My advice: when you write your letters envision a lawyer and a genocide survivor sitting next you as you type. Overall, it could have been much better but the effort is commendable.
Mt. Ararat is a national symbol and was a part of historical Armenia. Does the presence of the moon on the Turkish flag mean that they are trying to take it for themselves?
As for your comment about never acknowledging the genocide, you just proved that it doesn’t matter how many facts are brought up, you will just ignore them. Did you know that when Dr. Raphael Lemkin first coined the word “genocide”, he did so with what happened to the Armenians as a direct example and blue-print for what that word entailed?
My last comment was directed at Ahmet.
Dear Armenians.
Ahmet Davutoglu?????????????????????lets prove him wrong.
1-can anybody tell me how you are planning to achieve your greater Armenia
maybe same as America did to Iraq?Zionist non semetic Jews?did to Palestine?and the list goes on…(are they right?lets find out.
2-**************************************
3-don’t tell me “the justice of god will occur and we will get our lands back”. give me a plan that you think you could realize your dream.
God justice? eye for an eye)
Wake up Armenians do you want to wait for another 95 years cause that is what will happen.
What we need to do for all our organizations for once to unite and have the biggest rally ever seen in Australia on this coming 24 of APRIL 2010 on each capital cities.
to all our Armenian news corespondents to get involved and maybe we can ignite that fire that has been burning in each Armenia’s HEARTS.it is every Armenians rights.
we can seat and corespond how far can this takes us
Ahmet, buradan cik, tamam mi? Hic kimse ‘greater Armenia’ hakkinda konusmuyor- sadece senin gibi turk milliyetciler. Pragmatik Ermeniler su hakkinda unuttu.
Yes, Antoine. Individual assassinations are going to work…. (maybe we should check in on the Palestinians)….. And, demonstrations (because they’ve been so damned effective)… Leave the nationalist BS aside, otherwise we just sound like Deniz Baykal.
Dave, check in on the palestinians? 1945 Palestine ….1948 Israel?1995 Yigal Amir shootYitzhak Rabin a man of peace,(they retired him in some kibbutz i Negev). 2000 resolution to recognise the Armenian Genocide Shimon Peres a politician?not an historian made this statement (we reject attempts to create a similarity between the Holocaust and the Armenian allegations nothing similar to a holocaust occur it was a tragedy what the Armenians went throughbut not a genocide.(Peres = vulture)
How can we leave the nationalist aside…… ( it is…BS… we are living in that era as long as we pull our heads abouve it.we also have Deniz Baykal among us)…… as long as its not use Excessive patriotism;Chauvinism;
most of all we need unity.do you think will ever see that,as said by Henry Ford.
coming together is a beginning.
keeping together is progress.
working together is success.
Maybe one day?
sorry Dikran why did i call you Dave reference my last comment
Dikran,
I would ask that you translate what you said to Ahmet (the worst enemy to intellect and tact) so that we understand what you advised him.. That way, we will have a better way to comment to you … I don’t want to point out that this is an Armenian site and we are all Armenians… It is (in my opinion) rude to write something in Turkish.. I personally can’t stand seeing it or reading it…
Thank you
Gayane
Greg orDr.enry Astarjian,or anyone else has the right to express opinion.Whether totally right or partially.Everyone may make a mistake.That is not the point.Like Saroyan once wrote in “Time magazine..just a line”After all, we are all Armenians…
It is premature to speak of taking back land.Indeed when I was a teen-ager,this is what we were encouraged to think…”Zove zov..etc.
At present we must be -or try to be-WILY…like our adversaries(only two in the world).Our next move SHOULD BE THROUGH OUR BAR ASSOC.-I HEAR ABOUT 500 STRONG-AMONGST THME SOME INT’L ATTORNEYS TO prepare RELEVANT DOSSIER-FILE …FOR LODGING CLAIM AT THE MOST IMPORTANT INSTANCES, LIKE THE INT’L COURT AT THE HAGUE,U.N. ETC., C L A I M I N G…”blood money”..IT HAS PRECEDENT,NOT ONLY THE HUGE JEEWISH ONE AS CLAIMENT AGAINST GERMANY , BUT EVEN the small one WON BY OUR L.A. ATTORNEYS RE N.Y LIFE AND NOW AXA INSRANCE COMPANIES for Armenians that “lost’ their lives in ttoman turkey…
This is most feasible.I shall later expose how,if R.of Turkey is brought to justice at above and confirmed as culprit. Meanwhile, DO PLEASE COMPREHEND THAT SOME 18/20 MILLION k u r d s DWELL ON THE WESTERN ARMENIAMN LANDS-ARMENIAN FOR MILLENIA-BUT CIRCUMSTANCES THAT DEVELOPED KURDS GREW IN NUMBER,WHILE WE DIMISHED THERE.I AM NOT INCOGNIZANT OF TURKIFIED ARMENIAS -SOME SAY 2 MILLION-THAT ARE THERE.BUT THE THICK OF THE POPULATION THERE IS KURDISH.WE HAVE TO COME TO TERMS WITH THE(LATER,WILL BE TOO LATE)DR. ASTARJIAN HAS EXPERIENCE IN THIS ISSUE…HE MUST DEVELOP THAT FURTHER AND HAVE MORE CONTACT WITH THEM.IN RA, THERE ARE AT PRESENT SOME 40/50,000 kurds/yezidis..the can also be of help.If we insist too muc for LAD..THEN PEOPLE LIKE AHMET HERE, WILL thrown in (though their gov. rep.s(Aghri DAgh*ARarat, even ruins of ANI to blow dust into the eyes of “Paremid ” not to say “Basrzamid’ Armeians…and just recently they have commenced repairs of churches even in the interior promising to even allow -once a year-mass to be held there.
Please try to understand the WILY twisted toikish mind…dont’ kid yourself..land land
Geeral kenan Evren-theri cef of staff -when our “Khent boyes were eliminating one after aother theirr diplo rep.s said”Armenians want land…come and get it’.
So pelase do not opine childishly or teenage-stlye…in one thing Ahmet and his like are right-So lon g as they are supported by -ou know whom- we cannot demadn land from them…or think of getting back..
WHAT WE CAN DO THOUGH IS GET MORE ORGANIZED IN DIAPORA(S) to come to a supreme coucil.in france they are at it under different name”Western Armenian council” etc., but they do not as yet have a real MECHANISM…
I DO.BUT THAT MECHANIZM DOES NOT SUIT OUR DEAR PRESENT BBB’S AS ARA BALIOZIAN NAMES THEM …
WE NEED TO EDUCATE OURSELVES THAT we m u s t converge and cooperate.Miutyun Unity is wrong expression-most probably injectedd into us by turkish agenrtsIn France there are leftists and rightists Extrmem-ultra left and s Rightists.BUT THEY BECOME ONE FIST WHEN NATIONAL ISSUE ARE AT STAKE SO MOTTO OUGHT TO BE
C O N V E R G E – C O O P E R A T E…AND DON’T FORGET “BLOOD MONEY”
TRUKS WON’T PAY i have the solution…
JUST AS ME.
There is so much hatred in the comments that are made. For heaven’s sake we need to become far more rational in our judgements otherwise our differences will destroy our cause and we will lower our standards to those that we have a claim against.
Levon my good man.reference hated comments made?no need to look answers from the heaven`s above?look around us, its all among our Armenian organisations.they cannot understand one another, how can one be rational? in our judgements our cause and our standards.it is good to say WE NEED TO?who is the we?if their is no communications,understanding,unity,among all ARMENIANS.organizations,how can we convince the rest of world?and uphold our standards towards those that we have claim against?
Dear Antoine and in extension to Levon,
There is no hatred in commets here-IF YOU MEAN OUR TRUE AND SINCERE COMMENTS RE OUR ADERSARIES THE TURCO-AZERIS.INDEED CALL IT H OR IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE ANY OTHER DENOMINATION FOR NEIGHBOURS9just two in the world) THAT THEY HATE US TO THEIR GUTTS…
WE DO NOT PER SAY HATE THEM AS PEOPLE, BUT THEIR FASCIST GOVERNEMTS THAT AS OF TODAY ,YES TODAY -WITNESS MEETING BETWEEN SERZH SARKISSIAN AND ERDOGAN…THERE IS NOT AGREEMENT ACIEVED.TURKS INSITS THAT WE FORGET AND FORGIVE///
HOW CAN WE EVER FORGET.FORGIVE /YES BUT THEY HAVE TO ASK FOR FORGIVENESS AND ALSO MAKE AMENDSW.NO NOT AGHRI DAH-ARARAT AND ANI RUIS..BUT “blood money”FIRST OF ALL..
LAND IS ISSUE -I AHVE EXPLAINED ABOVE… KURDS ARE TO BE APPROACHED AND TACKLED FIRST-FOR THEY ARE THERE MAINLY 18 MILLLION STRONG-NEVER MIND THE DENIALSIT TURKS THAT UNTILL RECENTLY CALLED THEM”MOUNTAIN TURKS”..that lie was busted………
therefore we all agree that culprit HAS TO CONFESS,BEFORE ANYTHING.
AS TO UNITY-THAT IS A FICTICIOUS WORD-YOUR WERE BOTH BROUGHT UP AND RECEIVED ANGLO SAXON EDUCATION AND CANNOT IMAGINE THAT IN FFRANCE-AN EXAMPLE- TERE ARE ETRME IDOLOGIES ALWAYS IN FRICTION WITH EA OTHER…BUT THE FRENCH BECOME ON FIST AGAINST OUTER ADFVERSARIES..
THAT MEANS THEY TOLERATE EA OTHER’S IDOLOGIES AND RESPECT.HOW CAN ONE WIPE OUT OF THE MIND-BRAINS OF A DETERMINED MAOIST OR COMMUNIST HIS BELIEF IN THAT IDEOLOGY-IMPOSSBLE BUT BEING OF SAME RACE-PEOPLE THEY CAN INDEED C O O P E R A T E MIAPANVIL…THAT IS THE WORD THAT WE SHOULD USE..
AS TO OUR PRESENT STATE OF AFFAIRS HARUT SASSOUNIAN-RESPECTED BY ALL,HE WISHES -AS WELL AS SELF A ND “haybacdban ” IN FRANCE TO COME UP WITH A central council…what i have been advocating for 32 yrs now…ours was the first worldarmeian congress in paris with 380 particpants from near all community countries at that time the friction amongst armenian left and right so acute that they did not wish to HAVE A PRESBYTERIAN-PASTOR REVEREND J.KARNUZIAN AND CO. -OF CORSE US- TO SCCEED TPICAL ARMENIAN FACTIONALISM -IF YOU WS- EVEN TODAY OUR -POLITICAL PARTIES AND THEIR LENIENT CHURCHES DO NOT DO THAT.SME CAN’T EVEN REMEMBER THAT THE PROTAGONIST IN THE”4 0 DAYS OF MOUSA DAGH”…was a protestant not an apostolic clergy…so what? HE WAS A STOUT ARMENIAN…
YOU SEE SOME PEOPLE DO NOT REALIZE THAT THERE IS -ARE 2 MAJOR-ENORMOUS TRAITS IN THE ARMENIAN CHARACTER…
1. JEALOUSY-ENVY
2.NON-COOPERATIVENESS…
GET THESE ROOTED OUT AND THEY WILL COOPERATE…
BEST AND
HAMA HAIGAGANI SIRO,
G.P
G.P.
Your a man of a thousand words.
your first and second trait are definitely correct .
I will add one more.
lack of knowledge and lacking knowledge.
Towards this organisations that accept responsibility’s, and pass some of those responsabilities to so called prominent people that nor have the time nor knowledge .
and guess how suffers.
I am an outsider, my best friend is Armenian. I make my comments in a wish to highlight to you all, an outsiders view expressed with the best of intentions towards your cause.
I quote from a recent communiqué
“Rather than employ the Armenian term for the Armenian Genocide – Metz Yeghern – we urge President Obama in his April 24 statement to use the English term, and to be true to his words and promises in developing U.S.-Armenia ties.”
Last year I heard President Obama’s speech and I was overjoyed that by using the Armenian word for the genocide he had fulfilled his promise. I was shocked to see that rather than take this as a victory, Armenian’s chose to take it as a defeat and rather than praise Obama for having recognised the genocide you chose to claim he had broken his promise by using the Armenian word for genocide rather than the English word.
You have effectively turned victory into defeat and snatched defeat out of the jaws of victory as well as alienate those who were attempting to help you by accusing them of breaking their promise ! What senseless tactics.
It would have been far better for your cause and far more effective to have praised Obama for having kept his word and for having chosen to use the Armenian word for genocide in recognition of what the Ottoman Empire had inflicted on you ancestors and thereby make his support all the more poignant. Thereby snatching victory from the jaws of victory and boosting the image of those who have helped you rather than accusing them unjustly, in my opinion, of reneging on a promise. Even if you believed that he should have used the English word genocide and had broken his promise by using the Armenian word for genocide it would have been far better for your cause to have followed the victory line.
I repeat I have every sympathy for your cause and wish it to succeed but fear you are badly led when I see defeat snatched from the Jaws of victory.
First part of this post (in brief) is in response to Antoine.I do acknowledge (grudgingly)rather with sadness that those people you mention as prominent-ARE EITHER SELF ELECTED-BY FORCE OF FUNDS,or friends-who also benefit with voting to such people…I hope you understand.Ara Baliozian in a sortned mode called them BBB’s,meaning bishops Benefactors bosses!!!
Granted some of these( rarely) may have some “knowledge” ..but majority are as BBB’s…THAT IS WHY I STUDIED HARD TO COME UP WITH “A New Concept of Electoral System and Governance'(this , title of my 3 page “paper’ wich consequently was published in USAArmenia weekly isome 5 yrs ago and then to make sure that no “savvy” compatriot making it his/her Concept-usally these copiers eter some changes in doing so-Thence, I had it registered a “intellectual property in Washington D.C. and last summer at similar in Armenia.
Now this part of my post is to Dweck-
Wording “etz Yeghern’ was first pronounced by a non-Armenian ….A Pope(previous one) when invited to Yerevan few yrs ago..IT DOES NOT IMPLY G E N O C I D E -true translation of it is “Catastrophy”,it could be an earthquake, a Tsunami a Volcano erruption ad similar.IT IS NOT A LEGAL DESCRIPTION OF THE word ‘TSEGHASBANUTYUN” meaing in English…”Race killings”…do you follow?
However, if some (ignorant )Armenians hastened to scold Mr, Obama, without -at the VERY LEAST-GIVING HIM MY ABOVE EXACT DEFINITIONS..
THEY OUGHT TO BE EXCUSED BY YOU AND YOUR FRIENDS.
PLEASE FEEL FREE TO ASK FOR MORE EXPLANATIONS.
BUT PRIOR TO THAT BE IT KNOWN TO YOU THAT NOW WE ARE ACTUALLY CONTEPLATING TO DRIVE HOME OUR OBJECTIVE OF CONDEMNING THE CULPRIT GENOCIDE STATE (HEIRS) NOT JUST FOR HEARING PRESIDENT OF U.S. OR ANY OTHER PRESIDENT JUST PRONOUNCE IT…
BUT WE ARE AFTER COMPENSATIONS…LIKE GETTING A CERTAIN % OF THE OIL PIPELINE TRANSIT DUTIES BEING PAID BY ANGLO-AMERICAN OIL COMPANIES TO GREAT TURKEY,WHO WELCOMES THAT EASY MONEY..BUT DOES NOT U.S. TROOPS CROSS THEIR COUNTRY TO ACCESS I R A Q …
AND OTHER 11 SUCH COUNTS FOR THEIR DEEGING WITH “ALLIES”..
TIME WILL COME WHEN THE GOVERNEMETS OF THOSE OIL COMPAMNIES WILL-HOPEFULLY- PRESS SAID COMPAMNIES TODO S.SINCE IN A WAY THOSE GOV.MENTS ARE A BIT INVOLVED IN NOT LETTING SAID PIPELINE GO THROUGH A R M E N I A.
MAY ASK THEM WHY?HAVE ARMEIANS EVER BEEN ON THE OTHER SIDE,WHEN IN WWI AND WWII THE Y FOUGHT ALONGSIDE THE BRITISH,AMERICAN,RUSSIAN AND FRENCH AGAINST THE AXIS POWERS(TURKEY, ALWAYS ON THAT SIDE???????
I HIMBLY ASK YOU TO STUDY THESE FACTS…
Dear Laslie,
“Raphael Lemkin studied the Armenian Genocide in depth” and coined the word of Genocide…Obama by not using proper word of Genocide, marked the politicization of the truth of “Armenian Genocide”.
Hi there Leslie, welcome to the discussion. The term Metz Yeghern in Armenian actually translates into – great catastrophe or – great calamity – and is therefore not a direct and LEGALLY accurate translation of the appropriate English term – genocide – used to characterize the Armenian Genocide. Conversely, the term Tseghaspanotyoon in Armenian is a direct translation of the word – genocide – in Armenian.
President Obama shamefully chose to play linguistic gymnastics with Armenian and English euphemisms to no avail. Indeed, a devious and highly offensive ploy that will cost him politically more than he may think.
President Obama made a promise to the American people to recognize the Armenian Genocide once in office and capitulated miserably in doing so upon entering the White House. If President Obama really wanted to be more considerate and sincere in his annual commemorative message he would release a written statement accurately in English and translated into Armenian using the exact legal terms for characterizing the Armenian Genocide. Hope this helps.
Thank you for your reply Shantagizoum and Simon.
Not only does the communiqué issued accept that “………the Armenian term for the Armenian Genocide – Metz Yeghern….” it is clear from a search on the internet that
” “Meds Yeghern” (alternative spelled as Medz Yeghern, Mets Yeghern, Metz Yeghern) is used by Armenians synonymous with Հայոց ցեղասպանություն (Hayoc’ c’eġaspanut’yun), “‘Genocide of Armenians’”) to refer to the Armenian Genocide the way Shoah is used by Jews to refer to the Holocaust. The term “Mets Yeghern” was used by John Paul II prayer during the visit to the memorial of Tsitsernakaberd and by the US president Barack Obama’s statement of on Armenian Remembrance Day.”
Pope John Paul II did not invent the word but used it because it was an Armenian word that was used by Armenians to describe the Armenian genocide as did Obama.
I looked up the meaning of Shoah the Hebrew name for the Jewish Genocide and it is perhaps not a coincidence that its biblical meaning was Calamity, catastrophe etc an identical meaning to what Metz Yeghen also means.
I do however agree that it is all important to get the TURKS to accept the genocide / Metz Yeghern / Hayoc’ c’eġaspanut’yun / holocaust / Tseghaspanotyoon / TSEGHASBANUTYUN / Shoa and or whatever the Turkish name is for Genocide.
It is I fear with the lapse of time going to be harder and harder to get compensation for the following reasons :
Unlike the Jews you have been unable to conclude agreements whilst those who caused the genocide were still living. It does become difficult to see a situation whereby the great grand sons and daughters can be held liable for the atrocities of their ancestors under the Ottoman Empire, an Empire far greater than the current Turkey. I have recently become a grand father and I cannot see how it is at all just to ask my baby grandson or his children when born to take on in later life the consequences of any atrocities I may commit. This is going to be exceedingly difficult to achieve, the current generations of Turks, I understand have been indoctrinated from birth in their history books to deny any genocide which also must be overcome.
I do appreciate that perhaps the crimes of a nation are different to the crimes of an individual and I do feel there should be compensation however I can only see this happening if Turkey felt an even bigger reward would come to them. The only thing that may bring about such a situation is the carrot of European Membership. This will require the full influence of Obama and the heads of Europe to make such compensation and resolution of this matter conditional for Turkey to be able to join Europe. Indeed I also feel Armenia in due course should also become part of Europe. It is of course an attractive proposition to the USA and Europe for Turkey Armenia and other neighbours to be part of Europe. I always believe that when there is something for everyone the impossible becomes possible otherwise it tends to remain impossible. I really do think a rethink of your tactics by your leaders is necessary for you to achieve all you want to achieve and snatching defeat from the jaws of victory, I believe, does not help your cause and does not inspire one to believe that you are being well led.
As an outsider I have perhaps overstepped the mark with my comments I trust that it is understood that they are made with the best of intentions for your cause. I will refrain from commenting further.
Simon.. you took the words out of my mouth…
This is how Obama plays the political game by pulling a wool over people’s eyes ….just like it did to Leslie who may have a pure intentions and advocacy toward the Armenian cause but because she does not know the real facts and in depth understanding of what Genocide is, and why it relates to Armenians in such strong way, would definintely think that Obama kept his promise by stating “Metz Yeghern” instead of “The Armenian Genocide”… Armenians see it through the glass no matter how dirty it is… Leslie sees it differently.. She sees it as a clear glass… it is ok.. it is not her fault.. I am surprised that her best friend did not stop her from writing her commentary and inform her the actual facts about what constitue Genocide and what is Metz Yeghern… We see how Obama is trying to fool his people by categorizing the Armenian Genocide under the Armenian version of the word that does not relate to it at all… He definitely fooled the non-Armenians (hopefully not the most).. however, his true colors are coming out day by day and he will lose the next battle … I hope that the Armenians realize what kind of power we have to stop liars being elected into the White House…
Leslie, I do apologize that you are getting all these push back but you have to understand that speaking the truth is nothing close to trying to speak the truth by using false facts/words….Hopefully this will change your mind about OBama keeping his true promise…
God Bless
Gayane
Firstly to dear Gayane,
If you will kindly refer back to my above -previous-post you will note that even if a U.S. president pronounces the word Genocide perpetrated on Armeniansby the by a U.S. pres.( R.Reagan did) it does not mean a thing…IT HAS NOT.Neither will it mean much if it is pronounced by president Obama.
Issue at stake is what happens AFTER culprit acceptsby the by what Mr. Dweck writes, re Claim being too late to lodge is incorrect) One should study the U.N. drawn up after WWII in S.F. that stipulates such acts have no Expiry dates….
How coe we did not commence such a claim before…for Heaven’s sake…one should be very naiv to think that “MNATZORTATZ” MEANS REMNANTS of people sbmitted to that Enormous crime that somehow escaped the Death marches the massacres,hardly able to somehow board ships to unload them-yes unload them like Cargo in Marseille, Boston B-Aires etc., -who had to live in makeshift “Bidonvilles means shacks made of tin -Large-Gasoline tins…could not even speak the languages of those countries…LODGE A CLAIM.
THEY DID NOT ALLOW US ..THE VICTORIOUS ALLLIES AND GREAT TURKEY EVEN ENTRY AT LAUSANNE BEAU RIVAGE HOTEL,VIZ. 1921 INFAMOUS TREATY -OUR TWO DELEGATES AVEDIS AHARONIAN AND BOGHOS NUBAR STAYED BEHIND DOORS…
BUT NOW I 2010 ,OCT 10 MR. LAVROV, FOREIGN SEC. OF RUSSIA MS. HILLARY AND EU FOREIGN SEC. FLEW INTO ZURICH AND OUR -YES … O U R AMBASSADOR THERE IN SWITZERLAND MR. CHARLES AZNAVOUR AND OTHER ARMEN DELEGATES WERE SITTING IN EASY CHARS IN FROM OF ABOVE TRIO,WHILE PROTOCLS WERE BEING SIGNED…WE HAD COME A LONG WAY ..THENCE TO QUESTION OR POSE Q QUESTION LIKE DEAR MR. DWECK DOES IS REALLY SRPRISING…NOW WE CAN AND WE SHALL DO .YOU CAN BET ON THAT…NOT ONLY IN THE CORRIDOERS OF U.K , U.S. _LOBBYING(BROKERAGE ACTUALLY)…BUT IN MANY MANY OTHER COUNTRES PARLIAMENTS..AS A GOOD FRIEND OF ARMENIANS PROF.YVES TERNOT,AST APRIL IN PARS “SGGESTED ” TO US GATHERED IN A CONF. THERE…THESE THREE WORDS..
AND I QUOTE” P ARLEMENT A PARLEMENT”…SELF EXPLANATORY…
AS TO GETTING COMPENSATION FROM GREAT TURKEY I HAVE EXPLAINED THAT TO FRIENDS THEY ARE NOT THE PAYING TYPE , THEY RECEIVE ON A CONTINUOUS BASIS “HAND OUTS”…THOSE WHO KNOW IT KNOW…NO NEED TO REPEAT FROM WHOM…
IF WE THEN WIN THE CASE…THAT IS OUR CAUSE, LIKE “SUGGESTED’ IN PREV. POST IT WILL BE THROUGH THOSE ESTABLISHMENTS THAT PASSED THE OIL PIPE LINE -SIDESTEPPING R.OF ARMENIA….
LAND ISSUE.WAIT UNTILL “MOUNTAIN TURKS” ISSUE IS ON STAGE…SOONER OR LATER…NEED I TO REPEAT NOW CALLED k u r d s by their real name…
BEST RGDS,
Although the term Medtz Yeghern is not a legally accurate interpretation of the Armenian Genocide, it is a somewhat colloquial reference to the Genocide used by some within Armenian circles, but the lack of semantic exactitude by a Columbia and Harvard Law School graduate hardly goes unnoticed without a shrewd calculated political assessment. This is unquestionably true especially when dealing with a (supposed) American ally still unable to accept the reality of historical truth and particularly when the Republic of Turkey is so fervently involved (diplomatically, financially and legally) in trying to conceal, contradict and cloak the Armenian Genocide.
Did Obama promise to recognize the Medtz Yeghern? No, he promised to recognize the Armenian Genocide. Do you think Armenians would have overwhelmingly supported/funded Obama’s campaign and voted for him en masse if he had promised to recognize the Medtz Yeghern? Highly unlikely then and definitely not today or hereafter. Lets just say that any candidate who makes a campaign promise to recognize the Medtz Yeghern will face their own Medtz Yeghern come election time…
Any futile attempts to mollify Americans with deliberately vague and inaccurate characterizations of the Armenian Genocide only serve to hinder the fight against future genocides and their denial.
If you examine Obama’s statement made during his campaign from January 18, 2008 (http://www.barackobama.com/2008/01/19/barack_obama_on_the_importance.php) , you will find two very interesting and telling facts. First, there are 11 references specifically citing the word – genocide – within 5 paragraphs of one letter. Second, there is not one mention made of either of the following terms: Medz Yeghern, Mets Yeghern, Metz Yeghern, Հայոց ցեղասպանություն (Hayoc’ c’eġaspanut’yun), Holocaust, Tseghaspanotyoon, Shoa or what have you.
Now, compare Obama’s letter above (referencing genocide 11 times) with his commemorative statement as President in April 2009 (http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/Statement-of-President-Barack-Obama-on-Armenian-Remembrance-Day/ ). As an Armenian, the results are hardly surprising…Not one mention of the word genocide in any context and two references made about the Meds Yeghern. Coincidence? Hardly. Reacting to threats of a paper tiger…much more likely. Just like many astute observers, I’m sure you don’t find these facts merely coincidental, or even inconsequential but rather interpret the letter to be downright insulting and quite hypocritical to say the least.
Now for a comparison to address the Holocaust/Shoah example. Five days ago on April 11, 2010, the White House released their annual Statement by the President on Holocaust Remembrance Day (http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/statement-president-holocaust-remembrance-day ). Holocaust is mentioned three times. Moreover, three important words are presented in this exact logical order – genocide, justice and peace, each written once. The word Shoah is not specifically mentioned. In addition, juxtaposing the titles alone is very revealing. The Presidents statement on the Holocaust actually mentions the – Holocaust – the reason for the letter, whereas the statement on the Armenian Genocide vaguely identifies an – Armenian Remembrance Day. Want to take a stab at why President Obama just didn’t leave out the word genocide and refer to it merely as the Holocaust/Shoah, Leslie? I respect your opinion but I must reiterate that purposely neglecting to include the word genocide written in English or Armenian is offensive to me and very far from acceptable to our community.
For another very clear example attesting to the Presidents untenable double standard take a look at his statement released last week commemorating the Rwandan Genocide April 7, 2010. (http://m.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/statement-president-16th-anniversary-genocide-rwanda ) The President mentions the word genocide 3 times within the one paragraph letter to the Rwandan community.
Again Leslie, interesting post and please don’t hesitate to write/visit again. In fact, to address some of your concerns about our legal claims for reparations and restitution there is a lively discussion about our viable legal options that you may find interesting and informative. The link to the relevant discussion on this site is copied below.
http://armenianweekly.com/2010/03/25/voire-ani-et-mourire-dispatches-from-turkey-part-iii/comment-page-5/#comment-11432
Simon jan.. What an excellent commentary.. thank you so much…
Gayane
The justice will occur and we will get our lands back.
it’s NONE of your business.
Joe.
Very optimistic i see.it want just happen, that will be handed everything back,
( personally i had encounters with Melbourne AGBU,ARF,ARS )latley i have wondered if this organizations are all alike over the world?if Unity is not achieved in between all Our Armenian organizations AROUND THE WORLD,and look for a new approach toward our issues,will have Buckley and none for any achievements.no unity?so prepare yourself for the next 95 years .the ARF will be still singing in their clubs.the AGBU will tell us what they are doing better then the ARS.etc,etc,etc.the old deja vue?
UNITE TO ACHIEVE. OR LET THE MEMORIES OF THOSE 1.5 MILLION REST IN PEACE.and everyone goes about their businesses.
You will never acknowledge the truth, because it could taint your view on the violent birth of the Turkish regime? Newsflash–it was mostly your Young Turk Republic’s fault–the average Turkish citizen, like the Germans, would mostly turn a blind eye to it, though there were some extremes of enjoying in the participation of killing Armenians regardless of age, gender, occupation, or political alignment, and there were a few Turks who saved Armenian children and hid them as their own. Maybe you’re part Armenian and never knew.
I don’t want land. I don’t want money. I want recognition so the victims can finally rest in peace. A genocide occurred, and to deny it would be killing the victims twice.
I wish all the Armenians of the Republic, Armenians in Turkey and Armenians in diaspora could individually sign their names to this letter. Bravo Greg.
Borders are scratched across the hearts of men by strangers with a calm judicial pen; And, when the borders bleed we watch with dread as the lines of ink along the map turn red.
Marya Mannes
These lines, history of the Armenian nation, following their Turkish Genocides 19th,20th and 21st centuries… until today, 2010, which a Turkey still continues in their policy of elimination of the Armenians – actually the victims of the Ottoman Turks and their subsequent leaderships in their denials of any Genocides, Today a Turkey says Muslims do not commit Genocides – constant in the Turks’ policy of ignoring their own past history of Genocides. (Ignoring their Genocides and maybe these Genocides will ‘go away’ is Turks’ mentality). ‘Politically’ the Turks are desparetly pursuing all their PLOYS – ongoing – deceit, lies, to avoid facing their guilt for their crimes against all humanity – Genocides of the Greeks, Syrians, Assyrians, Armenians and more to gain their convoluted goals still – ‘Turkey for Turks ONLY’…
Then there is the issue of the ‘Morality”of the crimes of humans torturing, slaughtering, kidnapping, burning churches filled with women and children with Turks calling out: ‘where is your Jesus now?’ – too the world ignoring that the Genocides are still being perpetrated by these despots, today 2010. Darfur, suffering Genocides, the Sudanese attempting to deny that the Sudanese have/are committing a Darfurian Genocide (copying their ‘ally’ Turkey’s denials of the Armenian Genocide – still).
Genocides = the lack of any “Morality. Morality which the civilized world refuses to recognize – all the while the tortures, slaughters, rapes and worse of innocents continues. What a disgrace that civilized nations, despite any and all other their own existing needs, these civilized nations are unable to come together, (perhaps thus beginnings of forming the need of nations coming together for many other such issues) thus to end the cycle of Genocides of the innocents by despots who recognize they are at liberty to perpetrate Genocides – whomever, wherever, and however – on innocents as it has been since by the Ottomans and their subsequent leaderships since the 19th, 20th and still today, the 21st century. Turkey still seeks the ‘elimination’ of the Armenian peoples – via their PLOYS and lies, denying the vile horrors that these Muslims have wreaked upon the world… Still against an ancient and advanced Armenian nation – taking all the advances of the Armenians’ lands, properties, and all their riches… which the Turks have stolen from the Armenians and today their wealthy citizens have built upon the Armenian’s wealth and assets to gain their ‘ready-made’ civilized society – which their forebears, the hordes from the Asian mountains claimed Armenians’ existing culture as the Turks’ own – until today 2010. Too, in pursuit still, of eliminating traces of the Armenian ‘proofs’ these lands were stolen from Armenia.
Armenians, in their fledgling nation, and in all their nations the Survivors sought to escape the Turk, still, produce and share for the advancement of the world’s nations, in the sciences and more. Turks mentality today is seeking to re-establish the former Ottoman empire, offers the world today the continuation of the vile Genocides from the 1890s until today, 2010… now the Kurds, labeling them as ‘terrorists’ (with GWBush) in order to freely pursue their latest efforts to continue the Genocide of the Kurds, a people needing freedom from the tyranny of the Turk. The Turk is still the Turk of the Ottoman empire (and evidently, are proud to be of the Ottomans)! Manooshag
Boyadjian et al.
Observe how Hana´s (an Armenian name?) ¨I don´t want money, I don´t want land…¨snuggly fits into Mr. Greg Sarkissian´s, word ¨atonement¨otherewise,his well compsed letter is very much to the point and ought to make some impression on any savvy Turk/intellectual and /or even ordinary non-violent Ottoman turkish inherited bad traits.
All in all his PLEA,I´d say, rather than an ordinary open letter,implies /asks Davutoglu to compromise, accept give in…pick which ever you prefer. However ,well wishing is one thing from a statesman that ardently follows in the footsteps of all previous such, another to realize that they follow the same line as ALL others in the employ of a still Fascist Governmental appartus. The deep state, to be more specific.
Indzeed Mr. Greg Sarkissian Plea or open letter may reach the aforementioned (few) I´d say one in a thousnad good stock Turk(the ones like those he mentions saved our children) but the others????
Please wait untill a New Documentary/feature film entitled ¨¨Orphans of the Genocide¨¨ comes out with a few monhts,trailer of which is already out.In said film it is factually explained how Jemal Pasha and his lover fetieh Hanum near Beurut turkified the Armenian orphans in over a thousand.
In my view Mr. Davutoglu´s category is as yet to continue Ottoman
Turkish -like his FM Mr. Recep Tayip Erdogan(and rather softly smiling likewise adamant Ottoman Turkish mentality endowed personality).
We have to be patient ,rather than hurry ahead with wishes to come true. Indeed, the area surrounding great Turkey is fast changing….
Who knows(this is not wishing9 it may well happen that the wave of Mubarkist, gaddafist like occurrances also move over to great Turkey????