NEW YORK—On Sunday afternoon, May 1, as thousands of people gathered at the crossroads of America to honor the martyrs of the Armenian genocide, the message to the world was clear: While almost a century has passed, and Turkish denial is stronger than ever, the Armenian genocide will not be forgotten and it will remain an important part of history.
Supporting this message in the middle of Times Square on a beautiful, clear day, were some of the country’s most respected politicians, who have continuously and tirelessly fought for U.S. and global recognition of the Armenian genocide.
Citing the Armenian Genocide as “one of the worst genocides in world history,” U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), said the Armenian genocide and the Holocaust were “intrinsically related,” and if the world had stopped the Armenian Genocide, the Holocaust may not have occurred.
“We are here with a solemn duty, and that is to preserve the truth,” said Schumer, who vowed to continue to fight in the Senate for affirmation of the Armenian genocide and until “the Armenian community is vindicated.”
Equally instrumental in fighting for genocide recognition has been U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-N.J.), who stressed the importance of remembering the Armenian genocide. “It is our obligation, as citizens of our world, to remember every day,” said Menendez. “Whether it is 96 or 196 years, we must vow to never forget or ever let it happen again.”
As a member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, Menendez said it is imperative that the U.S. “avoid euphemisms” of foreign policy and as part of the Armenian genocide commemoration, “to seek acknowledgement of truth, from Turkey and soon our own government.”
“It was and should be referred to as the Armenian genocide plain and simple,” he concluded.
A long-time supporter and protector of both Armenia’s and Nagorno Karabagh’s interests, Congressman Frank Pallone (D-N.J.), noted that the deniers of the Armenian genocide have become “more aggressive” and that Armenians “need to be more aggressive and vigilant as well.” He stated the importance of the U.S. to continue to aid Armenia and Nagorno Karabagh economically and militarily. He said the fight needs to continue and that “we will succeed because we have right on our side.”
Congressman Anthony Weiner (D-N.Y.) spoke about the importance of truth and how it is necessary for everyone to know about the “first genocide of the 20th century.” In response to people who say the Armenian genocide is irrelevant as it occurred almost a century ago, he said, “we remember the Armenian genocide to learn and to make sure the same mistakes aren’t repeated.”
“What we seek is the truth and we will never let [the martyrs] be forgotten,” he said.
Speaking at the Times Square commemoration since his days as a New York City councilman, John Liu, now New York City’s Comptroller, expressed disbelief that people could still deny the Armenian genocide. “The history of the Armenian people is one that is undeniable,” said Liu.
Revered historian Dr. Richard Hovannisian said that although everyone may know the story of the Armenian genocide, it is “a story that needs to be repeated and told to each generation.” He astutely noted that genocide does not end with the passing of genocide survivors or the passing of genocide resolutions, because the trauma of genocide continues. For Armenians, the loss of a homeland and the loss of a 3,000 year-old civilization is the “major continuing traumatic aspect.” He stressed the importance of making the Armenian genocide a part of human history, to ensure it does not become lost. Concluding his remarks, Dr. Hovannisian said it is important to “recommit ourselves daily to the memory so that it will continue until there is victory.”
By letting the Armenian genocide go unrecognized, “we will allow the perpetrators one last victory,” said Dr. Rivitz, an associate of the NJ Commission for Holocaust Education. A daughter of a Holocaust survivor, Dr. Rivitz said the world suffered a blow when millions were killed in the Armenian genocide and the Holocaust. She noted the importance of survivors and future generations to “continue in solidarity to remember the dark parts of our parallel histories.”
In his remarks, Dr. Dennis Papazian, Professor Emeritus of History at the University of Michigan-Dearborn and Grand Commander of the Knights of Vartan, said that there has been progress regarding the acknowledgement and affirmation of the Armenian Genocide around the world. He spoke of Turkish historian Dr. Taner Akcam, who was one of the first Turkish scholars to openly acknowledge the Armenian Genocide. “In the future it will be honest Turkish scholars doing work on the Armenian Genocide,” he said. Furthermore, Dr. Papazian challenged the Turkish government to get rid of Article 301 of the Turkish criminal code and allow the Turkish people to investigate their own history. “Free the Turkish people, let them decide for themselves,” he said.
Survivors in attendance were recognized, including Perouz Kalousdian, 101, Arsaloys Dadir, 98, and Charlotte Kechejian, 99. The three survivors—who escaped the brutal atrocities of 1915—were brought to the front of the crowd to a wave of applause and cheer, holding red carnations and small American flags, representing the country that welcomed them almost a century ago.
Proclamations from New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Congressman Scott Garrett (R-N.J.) were read by Dr. Mary Papazian and Armen McOmber, Esq.
Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan, Prelate of Armenian Church of America (Eastern), gave the invocation and the Very Rev. Vazken Karayan, pastor of the Holy Cross Armenian Church in New Jersey, representing Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern), delivered the benediction. Other clergy in attendance included Archbishop Anoushavan Tanielian, Vicar General of the Eastern Prelacy and Bishop Manuel Batakian, Primate of the Armenian Catholic Church.
Remarks were made by Meline Ouzounian, Grand Matron of the Daughters of Vartan. Delivering remarks on behalf of the co-sponsors of the commemoration were Natalie Gabrielian (AGBU), Bryan Ardouny (Armenian Assembly), Doug Georgerian (ANCA), and Norair Meguerditchian (ADL).
The winners of the essay contest of the Knights of Vartan were announced at the program: Jeremy Majerovitz, 1st place (Stuyvesant High School, Brooklyn resident), Gerald Nelson, 2nd place (Stuyvesant High School, Brooklyn, NY resident), Samuel Levine, 3rd place (Stuyvesant High School, Riverdale, NY resident), and Katrice Karanfilian, honorable mention, (Bergen County Academies, Oradell, NJ resident).
The Arekag Children’s Choir of Hamazkayin NJ, under the direction of Vagharshag Ohanyan, sang the national anthems of the United States and Armenia, as well as “God Bless America” among other impressive songs.
The Armenian Radio Hour of New Jersey, under the direction of Dr. Vartan Abdo, streamed the event live in video format worldwide for the first time.
The 96th Armenian Genocide commemoration in Times Square was organized by the Mid-Atlantic chapters of the Knights and Daughters of Vartan, and was co-sponsored by the Armenian General Benevolent Union, the Armenian Assembly of America, the Armenian National Committee of America, the ADL-Ramgavars, and the Armenian Council of America. Participating organizations included the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern), Prelacy of the Armenian Church, Armenian Missionary Association of America, Armenian Presbyterian Church, the Armenian Evangelical Church, the Armenian Catholic Eparchy for US and Canada and numerous Armenian youth organizations, including the Armenian Church Youth Organization of America, the Armenian Youth Federation, the Tekeyan Cultural Association, Homenetmen Scouts, Hamazkayin Cultural Association, Noyan Tapan of Brooklyn, NY, Rutgers University Armenian Club, Fordham University Armenian Club, Columbia University Armenian Club, New York University Armenian Club, Hunter College Armenian Club and the Armenian Students Association.
Hirant Gulian was chairman of the organizing committee, and co-chair was Dr. Dennis R. Papazian, academic advisor. Dr. Mary Papazian, Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs and Provost of Lehman College, City University of New York and Armen McOmber, New Jersey attorney, served as MCs.
Taleen Babayan
Latest posts by Taleen Babayan (see all)
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There were some really STRONG signs there. Why no pictures of them?
Yes, photos of our martyred Armenians marching to their deaths shall have been more effective..
Dear Armenians,
Being of Greek descent, I have complete empathy with the genocide of the Armenians, but I am somewhat disappointed that you never, EVER include the genocide of the Greeks such as in your press releases. On September 7, 1975, I attended the 75th anniversary of the destruction of the city of Smyrna. According to their estimates, 1,800,000 Armenians Christians were martyred, 1,750,000 Greeks Christians were martyred, (almost as many Armenians not to mention the 750,000 Assyrians.) Although I have lost contact with Peter Balakian, I brought this omission up with him that the “Armenian” genocide should also include the Greeks and the Assyrians – but it never happened. It is as though the “Armenian” genocide by the Turks is exclusively yours. Should you be in future contact with Peter Balakian, please extend my very best wishes.
I hope, in future, you will correct such omissions.
Submitted with the deepest respect,
Stella
Dear Armenians,
I also wish to say that my husband and I visited Echmiadzin when he was the senior air attache at the American Embassy from 1979 to 1981. We also saw the Armenian National dancers and I will tell you that my husband fell in love with each and every one of those beautiful and graceful Armenian women dancers.
Best regards,
Stella
Dear Stella, I am very glad you have commented above! Yiu have made some excellent points. Actually, there are many joint genocide commemorations between Greek and Armenian Americans. Many. There could be more, of course. And there should be. There should also be more cooperation between the two in lobbying efforts and political activism. although the top groups of each side are in touch and occasionally do work together. But the thing is, there is far less grassroots activism among Greek Americans than among Armenian Americans and even the latter leaves much to be desired. There have been a number of grassroots Armenian American campaigns that Greeks could have helped out on but the Greek Americans are no where to be seen. I know this from experience, and I know this because I am in touch with Greek Americans who are similarly dismayed by their Greek compatriots. The Greek press, as far as I can see, in the US barely cover Armenian issues. It considers Armenians to be a nuisance. Why is this? Why so little Greek activism? What can all of us do ti imrpove this situation?
Greetings Dave. You make a good point, but there are many of us out there trying to remedy the issue. What amazes me is that there are Americans of Greek descent that stand up on the floor of the House and talk about the “Armenian” genocide and never utter one word about the Hellenic genocide! It blows my mind. I will also say that in the Greek press releases, they ALWAYS mention the Armenians and the Assyrians.
You might take a look at my “Hellenic Genocide.”
http://www.helleniccomserve.com/hellenicgenocide.html I hope it opens up.
Best regards,
Stella
Dear Stella, your comments really hit home with me. I have often thought that the Greeks, Armenians and Assyrians are missing an opportunity by not joining forces together in our efforts for a truthful historical record and for justice. However, like David, I have to say that it has been my impression that the Greeks don’t really welcome joining with us. In fact I was recently told that Greek churches don’t even recognize any of our church’s sacraments even though we are both orthodox Christians. For example if an Armenian boy wants to be married in a Greek church to a Greek girl, he would have to be re-baptized. Is this true? And if it is true, why?
We have so much to gain by recognizing our similarities and working together.
Hi, Stella. I’m not in the lobbying or political activism business, but as an Armenian-American, in addition to Armenian Genocide recognition efforts I also partake in demands for reverting Hagia Sophia to its original status as a Greek Christian church. Join us here: http://www.hagiasophiablog.com/contact.html. I believe Greeks and Armenians, as victims of the Ottoman barbarism, can do much more together. I have the highest respect towards the great Greek nation.
Dear Ananoon, the following comes from my son, Jim. My mother used to say that Jim “knows more than the priests!” There wasn’t a Sunday she missed in church. Passed away at the age of 94 – on Easter Sunday.
In reply to your question:
Not true. We aren’t in communion with Armenians (reasons complicated). But we can marry an Armenian in the Orthodox church, as we can a Roman Catholic, most Protestants (Lutheran, Methodist, Presbyterian, Baptist, etc), but *not* Mormon, Jehovah Witness, or Muslim, Jew, Buddhist, Hindu, etc. The Armenian does not need to convert or be baptised in our Church or anything like that but the marriage does need to be in our Church. I don’t know if that might cause a problem for the Armenian in his/her own church.
Also, I pulled up this on the internet which also might be of help.
http://en.allexperts.com/q/Eastern-Orthodox-1456/2009/8/greek-armenian-wedding-baptism.htm
Best regards and may I say that I am truly enjoying our conversation!
I hope all of this comes through okay.
Stella
Hi Stella: welcome – we need all the allies we can get.
In all the scholarly Genocide research by Armenians, I haven’t seen any that do not also mention Greeks and Assyrians murdered by Turks.
I don’t know any Armenian that asserts what was done to Greeks and Assyrians was not Genocide: if there are any, they are not welcome amongst us.
However, it is true that in public we emphasize the Armenian Genocide.
The main reason is simple numbers: we, Armenians, have very, very few allies in our worldwide struggle for AG recognition.
There are only about 12 Million of us worldwide (I believe Greeks are 15 Million. No idea how many Assyrians). We have lots of things to do, and we have more countries and people working against us than we can count. Our little jewel – Republic of Armenia – today, right now, year 2011, is in mortal danger from Turks and ‘Azeri’ Tatars.
Turks have the backing of the (Neocon) West, they have more money, more people to do the grunt-work, more of everything.
We have to sharply concentrate what limited resources we have on the task at hand – worldwide recognition of AG – to have any effect at all.
We cannot afford to do the work for Greek and Assyrian recognition also, when we are barely holding our own.
Greeks and Assyrians have to join us in force: we can do better together.
However, it appears that Assyrians have completely given up: other than occasional appearance at AG events, I am not aware of strong political activism by the Assyrian community. I am aware that in Australia a monument was erected to commemorate the Assyrian Genocide; but not much more.
My read of our Greek friends is that they are content with the status-quo: they have a fairly prosperous life in Greece, a country that is part of EU, a country safe from attack (except for Cyprus, of course), they are trading with Turks….why rock the boat ?
This paste from your article (I am assuming Stella L. Jatras is you) appears to back up my impression:
[There is an effort by the Greek government to remove the offending word, “Genocide” and referring to the massacre of Greek martyrs in Asia Minor at the hands of Turkish forces during the early part of the last century as a “Catastrophe.” Other reports state that the term “Genocide” would also be referred to as a “Devastation.” Does the Greek government actually believe that by doing so it will incur the appreciation of the Turkish government?]
(Where is Alexander the Great ? Where are the Spartans ?)
Nevertheless, we would dearly welcome assistance from our Greek and Assyrian friends: but both have to show initiative. Just the same, we Armenians have the bully-pulpit, so should take the first step and start listing Greek and Assyrian Genocides together with AG: let’s see if our friends join in.
As to the Churches, communion, marriage, fighting Armenian-Greek priests (Jerusalem): all that is irrelevant side-show; you can always find insignificant things to argue about, if you are so inclined. Let’s concentrate on the main task and the main enemy: Turks and Turkey are a mortal danger to all countries nearby.
Christos Anesti! Aleethos Anesti! Stella, may your mother’s soul be enlightened. I am enjoying this discussion as well.
Your answer actually raised more questions. Are you saying that a marriage between a Greek and an Armenian will only be recognized by the Greek church if performed in the Greek church, but not if performed in the Armenian church?
Also, the link you provided seems to indicate that Greeks consider themselves as Orthodox, but not Armenians, Ethiopians, Copts, or Eritreans. You are right to suggest that the reasons that our two churches are not in communion are a bit complicated. My understanding of the issue is that the differences are actually rather small regarding the wording we each use to describe the ‘nature’ of Christ. Maybe someday we can focus on our similarities as Orthodox Christians and realize we are in communion with one another after all. It would be a shame not to optimize our brotherhood because of ideas of pride or supremacy.
I welcome the idea of Armenians and Greeks, along with Assyrians working together to preserve a truthful historical record.
Dear Stella,
You raise an interesting proposition when you state “but I am somewhat disappointed that you never, EVER include the genocide of the Greeks”. Could the blunt truth be that it is not in Armenian interests to do so. Firstly it may weaken the rallying cry from a nationalist perspective if the date were shared and secondly it opens the question of whether the act was motivated on ethnical or racial grounds. What is left is religion as the common denominator between Greeks, Armenians and Assyrians as Christians as the prime motivator. Whilst the UN convention includes genocide on religious grounds, arguing that the Ottomans intended to destroy its citizens because of religion would be a difficult considering its history of religious tolerance relative to continental Europe.
Zeki,
“…it opens the question of whether the act [of genocide] was motivated on ethnical or racial grounds.”
Absurd. The act of genocide against the Armenians was premeditated and carried out based on ethnical, racial, as well as national and religious grounds. All four grounds studied and included in the definition of genocide by Raphael Lemkin in 1943 and consequently incorporated in the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide adopted by the UN in 1948. If the genocide of Armenians, Greeks, and Assyrians was not motivated by ethnical, racial, national, and religious grounds, why doesn’t the world know about millions of ethnic Turks who’ve been forcibly deported from their homes and made walk in death marches by the CUP government?
“…arguing that the Ottomans intended to destroy its citizens because of religion would be a difficult considering its history of religious tolerance relative to continental Europe.”
This is a ridiculous statement. A 1915 Ottoman Fatwa, believed to have been written by Sheikh Shawish (entitled “Aljihad” and translated into English in March 10, 1915), included a statement attached to its official US Consulate translation indicating: “It was undoubtedly this and similar pamphlets which inspired the Jewish community of Alexandria” to contact the United States Consul General’s office in Cairo. The calls to religiously motivated violence against non-Muslims, as sanctioned by Islam-jihad war, are unmistakably clear. The widely disseminated “Aljihad” Fatwa clearly sanctioned religiously motivated jihad violence. Read it, if you will, in its entirety, and never again raise your voice about the “religious tolerance” of the Turks. It insults the memories, the first-hand experience, and the intellect of Christian Armenians, Greeks, and Assyrians—all mass murdered by the Turks and their churches and monasteries converted into mosques or sheepfolds, detonated, destroyed, or desecrated.
“If you believe in God, in his faith and apostle, hear the words of our sages as recorded by his holy prophet. ‘You believers take not the Jews and Christians as friends unto you, He who loves then shall be called one of them’. ‘God shall not foster the tyrants’. You believers accept not unto you friends of these who abuse your faith and mock thereof. They are called unbelievers, and you hearken unto the words of God of you believe. Therefore if after you will put to heart to these sacred words, perhaps they have been spoken to you by God not to acquire unto us Jewish or Christian friends. From these holy words you will realize that it is forbidden us to approach those who mock our faith – Jews and Christians, for then God forbid, God forbid we shall be deemed by the almighty as one of them God forbid…. After all this how can we believe in the sincerity of your faith when you befriend and love unbelievers, and accept their Government without any rising without attempting to expel them from your country. Therefore arise and purify yourselves of such deeds. Arise to the Holy War no matter what it costs so as to carry into execution this sacred deed. It is furthermore said in the Koran ‘If your fathers if children taken unto them friends of the unbelievers, estrange yourselves even from them.’… The Mohammedan religion enjoins us to set aside some money for Government expenses and for preparations of a holy war. The rest of your tithes and contributions you are duty bound to send to the capital of the Caliphate to help them to glorify the name of God, through the medium of the Caliph. Let all Mussulmans know that the Holy War is created only for this purpose. We trust in God that the Mohammedan lands will rise from humiliation and become faithfully tied to the capital of the Caliphate until, so as to be called ‘the lands of Islam’. This is our hope and God help us to carry through our holy aims to a successful issue for the sake of our holy Prophet… A holy war is a sacred duty and for your information let it be known that the armies of the Caliph is ready and in three divisions, as follows: War in secret, war by word of mouth, and physical war. War in secret. This is the easiest and simplest. In this case it is to suppose that every unbeliever is an enemy, to persecute and exterminate him from the face of the earth. There is not a Mussulman in the world who is not inspired by this idea. However in the Koran it is said: ‘That such a war is not enough for a Mohammedan whether young or old, and must also participate in the other parts of the Holy War. War by word of mouth. That is to say fighting by writing and speaking. This kind of war for example should pertain to the Mahomedans of the Caucasus. They should have commenced this war three or four months ago, because their actual position does not permit them to but the carrying on of such warfare. Every Mahomedan is in duty bound to write and speak against the unbelievers when actual circumstances do not permit him to assume more stringent measures, as for instance in the Caucasus. Therefore every writer must use his pen in favor of such a war. Physical war. This means actual fighting in the fullest sense of the word… Now let us mention here the means to be adopted in carrying on this holy war, as follows: Every private individual can fight with deadly weapons, as for example. Here is the following illustration of the late Egyptian Verdani who shot the unbelieving Butros Gal Pacha the friend of the English with a revolver. The murder of the English police Commissioner Bavaro in India by one of our Indian brethren. The killing of one of the officials of Kansch on his coming from Mecca by the Prophet’s friend ‘Abu Bazir El Pzachbi’, peace be unto him! Abdallah ibn Aatick and four colleagues killed ‘Abu Raafah Ibn El Hakiki’. The leader of the Jews of Khaybar so famous for his enmity to Islamism. This was executed by our Prophet’s command, so did Avrala Ibn Ravacha and his friends when they killed Oscher Ibn Dawas one of the Jewish dignitaries. There are many instances of similar cases. Lord of the Universal What fails us now, and why should not some of us go forth to fight this sacred war for exalting thy glorious name?”
German missionary and historian Johannes Lepsius’ eyewitness accounts from Turkey in 1915 documented the results of such invocations of jihad:
“559 villages whose surviving inhabitants were converted to Islam with fire and sword; 568 churches thoroughly pillaged, destroyed and razed to the ground; of 282 Christian churches transformed into mosques; of 21 Protestant preachers and 170 Armenian priests who were, after enduring unspeakable tortures, murdered on their refusal to accept Islam.”
Lepsius concluded with this rhetorical question: “Is this a religious persecution or is it not?”
As an Armenian, I have been advocating for years that it was not an “Armenian” Genocide per se but a Christian one. The Armenians, Greeks (particularly in Pontus), Chaldeans, Assyrians were targeted. The Assyrians lost up to 750,000- almost wiping them completely out.
Zeki, you are off the mark. You should read Avery, who is more to the point regarding why Armenians have been going it alone. It is a question of manpower and consolidation of energy. We welcome Greeks, Assyrians and all others who were targeted by CUP pan-turkic massacres to join us in our struggle to uphold the historical record and fight for a just resolution.
Also, Zeki, your reference to ‘religious tolerance’ within the Ottoman empire is not as straight-forward as you suggest. The Ottoman Empire was happy to extend limited tolerance to those groups who were willing to pay obligations and to bow before the emperor’s throne and ignore the fact that he ‘wore no clothes’. This is a far cry from democratic equality for all groups. History is clear on what happened to the Armenians, Greeks and Assyrians when they appealed to European powers to advocate for more freedom for Christian minorities in the empire. The Sultan, then the CUP, put the upstarts down for good. Some tolerance.
Stella, we Armenians were being slaughtered in the 19th, the 20th, and still suffer the abuse of the Turk in the 21st centuries. We observe the Turkish Genocide of the Armenians annually on April 24th since this was the date Turks gathered our Armenian intelligencia – to torture and slaughter… and proceeded to eliminate the Armenians – for this is the nation that the Turks had selected to ‘steal’ our lands,
homes, properties and more – for the Turk to own for themselves… the Turkish Genocide of the Armenian nation suffered the vile Turks from 1915-1923. We have these dates to ‘remember’ to never forget the first Genocide of the 20th century – which if Turks were brought to face justice for their crimes – none of all the Genocides that followed shall never have been.
I often include in my ‘comments’ of the abuse of the Turks of the Greeks, Syrians, Assyrians, I have yet to see an observance by any of these nations, anywhere,
in observance of their own Genocides… If Greeks, others, were to join us on these dates we observe, I know that your presence would be inclusive – gaining in numbers – for us all – who seek justice and the end of the cycle of Genocides.
Boyajian,, “This is a far cry from democratic equality for all groups”. My comment was in the context of the ‘Millet system’ that prevailed in the Ottoman empire that tolerated religious and ethnic freedoms of minorities but that was later undermined by the Tanzimat reforms inspired by European nationalism . I wasn’t suggesting that Christians were living under 21 century democratic standards.
I remind the readers that Greeks were also part of the “Armenian” Genocide. It stands to reason that the readers need a reminder of some historical facts about this century of “Banality of evil,” where more than 170 million people have perished and the word “Genocide” was coined.
1904 Germans killed 100,000 Namibians
1907 Germans killed 120,000 Tanzanians
1915 Turkey killed 1.5 million Armenians
1932 Soviet Union starved to death 7 million
1937 Soviet Union killed 5 million
1941 Nazis killed 12 million
1941 Croatia killed 700,000 Serbs, 60,000 Jews
1949 China, killed 80 million
1963 Rwanda, 14,000 Tutsis killed
1965 Indonesia, 1 million killed
1966 China, 5 million killed
1971 East Pakistan, 3 million killed
1972 Burundi kills 150,000 Hutus
1975 Cambodia, 1.7 million killed
1975 East Timor, 200,000 killed
1976 Argentina, 100,000 disappear
1979 Uganda, 500,000 killed
1980 Guatemala, 100,000 killed
1980 El Salvador, 75,000 killed
1983 Sudan killed 1.3 million
1984 Ethiopia killed 1 million
1987 Iraq killed 100,000 Kurds
1991 Iraq, Americans kill 225,000
1991 Croatia, 15,000 Serbs, 20,000 Croats killed
1992 Bosnia, 40,000 Muslims, 37,000 Serbs killed
1994 Rwanda 500,000 Tutsis killed
1991-95 Croatia, 22,000 Serbs Killed, 7,000 Croats killed
1995-98 Bosnia, 11,000 Serbs, 7,000 Muslims and 5,000 Croats killed
Dear All,
I understand we now have a lady of greek descent amongst us here on the forum,welcome indeed by all of us.
Calismera!! did i say it right,rather write it correctly.
Please note contrary to your opinion as to us not mentioning Greeks submitted to genocide by the infamous ottoman ,then Young turks and later Ataturk,we have on many occasions mentioned -even here, if I remember correctly-the Pontian Greeks.We know that full well and honour your victims as much as ours,also the Assyrians´.I see and hear that on Armenian T.V. channels(3) overseas,also ocassionally.
Smyrna is the city where the Greeks suffered most,mentioned in Peter Balakian´s the Burning Smyrna,or Smyrna is burning ,whatever.
What is more we do have the best of relations between our tow Homelands nowadays. You can rest assured that we also have high esteem of your people who took in thousands of our ¨remnants¨,after the Eviction of Armenians and their Genocide by great Turkey.
One more query you mention from 1979-1981 your husband was Air attache at American Embassy,i take it in Moscow,ex soviet union.Or else the dates are incorrect,probably from 1989-1991,when Armenia was on the road to Independence.
kind rgds,
G.P
Zeki, let’s not confuse the unequal, social stratification into a millet system with ‘religious tolerance.’
@W.M Dorich, 1969 Nigerian gov’t kills over 100,000 Igbos (Christians) in Biafra
Mr. Dorich: Your putting quotation marks around Armenian in ‘…. “Armenian” Genocide. ….’ shows your Anti-Armenian bias. Your listing of the millions killed is a transparent attempt to comingle and dilute the uniqueness and significance of an act of Genocide with other mass killings. I don’t know of anyone in the Armenian community or amongst Armenian scholars that does not include Greek and Assyrian Genocides perpetrated by Turks when discussing the AG. However, we Armenians are not obligated to force the recognition of Greek or Assyrian Genocides if their communities are not willing to step up to the plate. Please read Stella’s article in her May3rd post: apparently the Greek Government itself is trying to avoid using the word “Genocide’ when discussing the Genocide of Greeks. In addition to 6 Millions Jews that Nazis murdered, they also murdered millions of Slavs, Gypsies, Poles – because they were considered Untermenschen. Yet Jews call it the Jewish Holocaust: not ‘Jewish, Slavic, Gypsy, Polish Holocaust’. Do you object to that too, or Armenians are considered easy to pick on ? As to your list of mass killings: I can’t go down the entire list. However, I’ll give you 2 examples of why it is absurd to comingle Genocides with other mass killings: Cambodia: the 1.7 Million Cambodians killed were killed by their insane Pol Pot brothers for ideological reasons, not because they were Cambodians China: Chinese who were killed were killed by other Chinese for ideological reasons, not because they were Chinese (except those massacred by the Japanese Imperial Army). Armenians, Greeks, Assyrians were murdered by Turks: see the difference ? Jews, Slavs, Poles, Gypsies were murdered by Nazi Germans: see the difference ?
I want to add to a previous comment to Zeki: I said earlier,” We welcome Greeks, Assyrians and all others who were targeted by CUP pan-turkic massacres to join us in our struggle to uphold the historical record and fight for a just resolution”. I should have also included in that list that we also welcome Turks who are interested in facing the crimes of their ancestors. Armenians are not interested in hate and revenge, but truth and justice and the right to live in peace on the land that our ancestors occupied for thousands of years. However, there is a very powerful element in Turkey that is still committed to pan-turkism and a pan-Turanic agenda and which operates covertly and overtly to promote this agenda. The assassination of Hrant Dink was their work and the prosecution of his murderer is being thwarted just as justice for the Armenians has been denied. To me very little has changed in the Turkish leaderships attitude toward Armenians since 1915: “First be good Turks and shut up about your rights, and we will get along. Turks are incapable of genocide. We are a tolerant peace, loving people, but if you make such accusations against us, we cannot be accountable for the ultra-nationalist radicals who are incited to violence by it.” Can Turkey achieve a real and lasting democratization if it doesn’t correct the lies in its historiography and come to terms with the institutionalized and ultra-nationalist racism that lies just beneath the facade of modernity and tolerance it tries to show the world? Without processing the truth as a society and confronting the calculated lies that they have been taught about our shared history, and about their ‘great and noble ancestors,’ can the Turks integrate the necessary lessons of equality and self-determination that form the basis of a democratic society? Otherwise, what is there to challenge the Pan-Turanic fantasy, ‘from the Bosphorus to the Caspian’, that can only be achieved by the elimination of Armenia and the Armenians?
Genocide is not an inter-state war; not a military invasion; not a purge; not a revolution; not an interethnic clash; not an intercommunal clash; not an interreligious clash; not an ethnic cleansing. Genocide is a deliberate and systematic destruction, in whole or in part, of a national, ethnical, racial or religious group. Destruction of Ottoman Armenians as a group by the Turkish government was a genocide. Destruction of European Jews as a group by the Nazi German government was a genocide. Destruction of Tutsis as a group by the Hutu government was a genocide. Destruction of Darfurian Africans as a group by the Muslim Sudanese government was a genocide.
Stella, Just one instance out of many. During the commemorative remembrance of the victims of the Armenian Genocide held in New York’s Times Square on May 1, 2011, the keynote speaker, Dennis Papazian, specifically mentioned the genocides of Greeks and Assyrians: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aHv-VJdlgww