On the eve of the 90th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide in 2005, Mehmet Ali Birand, a prominent Turkish commentator, wrote an article in Hurriyet urging the Turkish public to be prepared for the upcoming “Armenian tsunami.”
Earlier this month, the Turkish newspaper Gazete Kars published a similar editorial titled, “The Armenian preparations for 2015,” alerting Turks of the approaching 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide in 2015, and advising them to take effective counter-measures.
The editorial reflects how closely Turks are following Armenian preparations for the genocide centennial and how anxiously they are weighing the impact of the forthcoming Armenian activities on Turkey.
The lengthy column reports that Armenia and the diaspora are expanding their joint campaign against Turkey on the eve of the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. The article warns that “Armenians through their lies will raise the entire world to its feet,” and suggests that “the Republic of Turkey immediately put into action all its resources and take preemptive measures to bring to naught this deception.”
Gazete Kars complains that Armenians are “tarnishing Turkey’s reputation by launching powerful attacks on 40 fronts. To counter these attacks Turkey must take far greater defensive and offensive measures. There is not a single minute to waste. The world is swallowing their lies.”
The editorial proceeds to outline the activities of notable individuals and organizations in preparation for the genocide centennial. The newspaper specifically mentions Prof. Taner Akcam, filmmaker Steven Spielberg, the French and Armenian governments, Berlin University, and Hayk Demoyan, the director of the Genocide Museum in Armenia, who is quoted as saying, “the struggle for genocide recognition must be combined with an understanding for restitution. … We must pursue legal avenues to assign responsibility for this crime.”
Gazete Kars also lists the Armenian National Committee of America, Armenian National Institute, Zoryan Institute, and Gomidas Institute as organizations that have succeeded in bringing the Armenian Genocide to the attention of scholarly and media circles worldwide. Prominent Turkish novelists Orhan Pamuk and Elif Shafak, who have bravely condemned Turkey’s distortions of the Armenian Genocide, are accused of enjoying the backing of “Diaspora Armenian lobbying organizations.”
The Turkish newspaper reports the formation of a central coordinating committee in Yerevan on April 23, 2011, to prepare the program of activities for the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. The committee, chaired by Armenia’s president, convened its inaugural meeting on May 30, 2011.
The Turkish editor then focuses on my articles, wrongly identifying me as “Ara” Sassounian, publisher of the California Courier. I am quoted as saying that “demanding genocide recognition is no longer useful for Armenians. On the contrary it is harmful. Turks are happy that we are satisfied with this demand. What we should demand is justice.” It continues, “When he is asked what does justice entail, he explains that it means financial, moral, and territorial restitution.”
The Turkish writer further elaborates on my views: “Sassounian believes relations between Armenia and the diaspora are not perfect, and that it is imperative to have a common understanding, especially on issues related to ‘Hay Tad’ (the Armenian Cause). Sassounian also believes that more serious results could be achieved by bringing together Armenians living in 100 countries under the umbrella of a Diaspora Parliament composed of 350 representatives.”
Gazete Kars concludes its editorial by outlining some of the Armenian activities planned for the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide:
1) Prepare publications in seven languages: Armenian, English, French, German, Russian, Spanish, and Turkish.
2) Produce films and documentaries, organize concerts and exhibitions, and publish books and scholarly materials.
3) Enlarge threefold the Armenian Genocide Museum in Yerevan.
4) Create a central coordinating committee.
5) Organize media conferences, establish contacts with press agencies in 89 countries, and invite diasporan TV and radio journalists to Armenia in advance of the 100th anniversary.
6) Using modern technology, publish e-books in various languages, and establish contacts with academic and cultural figures, media, and civil society, and international organizations conducting genocide research.
7) Produce an Armenian Genocide film with well-known Indian director Shekhar Kapur and Puerto Rican screenwriter Jose Rivera.
Since Turks are expecting a flurry of activities for the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, Armenians should do everything possible not to disappoint them!
The editors of Gazete Kars do not seem to realize that Armenians in fact welcome Turkish attempts to counter the upcoming genocide centennial activities. By doing so, the Turkish side would be helping to publicize the Armenian Cause beyond what Armenians are capable of doing on their own.
Harut Sassounian
Regardless of the small-compared to the major issue,that of our drive for Recogniotion by great Turkey of the Armenian Genocide- benefit you mention of publisizing same by them,they may succeed in neutralizing,at the very least-our said effort drive. We cannot sit pretty and be happy that they are thus helping us ¨publisize¨ our Cause/Case.
Rather , it behooves us to start our own mass dirve -beginning,say in 2013-to buy space on Front or 2nd pagees of important N.American and European newspapers,now and then T.V. interviews conducted by us with personalities ,especialluy of the MEDIA.
We cannot afford to loose this fight,so to say,as asignificant date sucha s the 100th Anniversary of the enormous Crime the Ottoamn turkey and Kemalist Turkey committed against our people.
Hence, we must endeaver to pull together all of our human resources,plus Economic Power(have in mind a NATIONAL INVESTMENT TRUST FUND,in order to commence our well programmed drive towards Recognition and restitution at the appropriate instances.Our BAR associaition has a role to play here getting together all documents and lodge Claim against R.of Turkey
I find it interesting the Turks claim the Armenians tell lies. My research indicates the Turks are the ones who tell lies about the Armenian Genocide.
Some years ago I was with a small group trying to get close to the Turkish/Armenian border and as we came upon Turkish barracks, soldiers ran toward us with pointed rifles. Needless to say we sped away as quickly as possible and stopped in Igdar in front of a huge Turkish memorial dedicated to the Turks killed by the Armenians. On the first floor of that memorial was a small museum featuring several books written in English.
The first book I picked up was a small blue book and I gasped as I read the following sentence: Those Armenians who were deported were given homes comparable to the ones they left behind!
No wonder the Turkish population hates us Armenians. They have been fed these kind of lies throughout the years. The Turkish population need to be educated about what really happened. And I hope my rececently completed documentary about my mother’s survival, My Mother’s Voice, will help educate those who do not know what really happened in 1915.
Mouradian
“”soldiers ran toward us with pointed rifles. Needless to say we sped away as quickly as possible””
How did you manage to escape without being shot then ?the basic rule is if someone escapes or speeds away Police or soldiers shoot you
It’s strange that the article leaves out one of the most important factors in contributing to Armenian and genocide awareness in Turkey: the Armenian community of Istanbul and the Agos newspaper. But perhaps mentioning them would bring to mind the unpleasant reminder of Hrant Dink and his assassination — a result of Turkey’s continuing denial of the historical truth.
Since Turkey will be spending millions to confront recognition of our Armenian Genocide of 1915-1923 for the 100th Anniversary coming up in 2015, we hope this will be a wakeup call for all Armenian Political Organizations & Armenian Church groups to Unite in preparation for what the Turks did to our Armenian People & Nation as well as other nations for their continuous masacre after massacre since the Seljuk Turks, Mongol Turks, & Ottoman Turks invaded Asia Minor, Europe, Middle East, & Africa. Time is of essents for Armenians to work together to have large demonstrations all over the country, to prepare Petitions to be signed by millions of Armenians & Non-Armenians & sent to the President, the State Department & to all Senators & Congressman. Also, we must also ask the United States Postal System, the United Nations Postal System to issue a Souvenir Postal Stamp along with Armenia and all other Nations around the world for our 100th Armenian Genocide Anniversary. I ask that this be a wake up call for our Armenian Organizations to start working together by the 1st of the year 2013.
The bulk of this article is based on some newspaper called Gazete Kars. Care to elaborate on the circulation of this newspaper? I can tell you for a fact it is less than 100 thousand, and I’d go out on a limb and say it’s FAR less than even 50 thousand. The population of Kars is only 70 thousand, and Gazete Kars is only 1 of 14 “big” newspapers in the city. You should be surprised above all else that the editors of Gazete Kars are literate.
I think deep down Turks do believe that a genocide took place. It is just that the cost of admitting this openly is considered to be very high.
1) Reputation
I think they are mistaken to think their reputation will suffer. On the contrary, it might actually improve it by the bravery of acceptance.
2) Money
If Armenians want acknowledgement, I think they should openly mention/negotiate this sum with Turkey, so that they are not afraid of an unknown total bankrupting them (unless you Armenians do want to bankrupt them as punishment)
3) Territorial claim
Here is where I personally am confused as to what Armenians want. Do you really want 33% of Turkish land? Who is going to live there? You dont even have enough people to populate Armenians republic. Or do you want monetary compensation for this land? Needless to say, Turkey will never agree to giving up phycical land. If you want it, you have to come and take it. If I were you, I would go for money, plus visa-free visitation and immigration with benefits.
RVDV
Gazete Kars at least have a proper website but I can not find the website of California courier in the heart of Glendale. Does that tell you something about what is Sassonian doing
So, does this mean armenians have NOT done their best for the last 99 years and in the 100th year, they decide to push real hard?
What is different in 100th year than say 89th or 96th year that you think it will work for you?
Publicizing the armenian cause? You have already done it. The good thing about the 2015 is that the world will hear more and more about the Turkish side of the story. You will hear more people saying “the Turkish side of the story seems more plausible”
Wait and see for your hopes to backfire!
Is that really the trajectory?
The Turkish response has gone from “nothing happened” to “relocation” to “it was a tragedy.” If Hrant Dink hadn’t been assassinated, perhaps Turkey would be a lot closer to acceptance today. Wasn’t that why he was killed, anyway? Because of the environment created by people like yourself?
I thought I would cease trying to pass on some knowledge-info to Turks here.
Kerim here are answers to questions you HAVE POSED above.Chronolgically.
1. Right you are great Turkey’s reputation would move up a bit…see,I’m not that stingy,I like to have good neighbours alongside our future United Armenia.
2.In this respect my*not all other Armenians suggestions/proposals vary…
I opt to plead for MONEY FOR BLOOD *not as you imagine for land.Latter is explained in Question 3 of yours.
3.|Firstly put away your and yours cunning solution of inviting us to come eat Rahat Lokum,Sheker helvasi ,Taukh Geotsei*our brethren in Istanbulla are well served with those almost daily….
Land that you erroneously think is Turkish is populated by mainly k u r d s .
18 millionn of them.”They will come to an arrangement with us”to split it.
You don’t paint nothing there…it is a matter of time that the powers to be will arrange that transfer via Autonomy to k u r d s etc.
Therefore last question will remain unsolved rather to be solves alongside the Armenian one AUTOMATICALLY in the not too far future…
The Middle East is …actually being re arranged by said powers in a different fashion.But the intention is to sort out and establish Democratic state-nations so as the whole area will be in peace…so HAVE PATIENCE,like us.
GAYztag,
The problem for you is that Kurds and Turks are Muslims. This bond has kept two nations from going down each other’s throat. The movement in the Mid East that you hope would damage Turkey is against their secular dictators.
If the Kurds had wanted to revolt against Turks , they would have already done it. By the way, PKK is not Muslim nor does it receive support from majority of the Kurds in Turkey.
Turks and Kurds are aware that either one would get hurt if one of them messes with the other. So, your dream goes on.
Apparently it’s a Turkish-Kurdish Islamic paradise down there!
Get real. Stop denying your country’s poor (and often brutal) treatment of minorities. Both those that lived there until 1915 and those that live there now.
Ahmet, listen carefully,
Kurdistan in Iraq.( already in place)
Kurdistan in Syria, ( being drawn as we speak)
guess which part of greater Kurdistan is missing..?..
Turkey may be divided by 2030: Intel report
A new report from the U.S. National Intelligence Council claims the possible formation of Kurdistan may affect Turkey’s unity in upcoming years.
One of six scenarios presented in the report consisted of a rising Kurdistan, which in turn affects Turkey’s territorial unity by carrying a risk of separation.
Here is the link.
http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkey-may-be-divided-by-2030-intel-report.aspx?PageID=238&NID=36590&NewsCatID=338
Kurdistan WILL exist by 2030, the question is if it’ll include part of present day Turkey as well. Things can change overnight in the middle east so it could happen of course, but I honestly don’t see it happening.
I go a little off topic, but I’d like to focus your attention on those Turkish people protesting against the recent denialist exhibition in Denmark. Isn’t this an action yet twisted, by the Turkish government, trying to show the public opinion [now they realize that the world can not turn back the truth of the Armenian genocide and is no longer able to swallow the Turkish lies], that they are doing a good action, a positive action? Actually isn’t Turkey trying to open an emergency door, to get out with the least damage possible? Showing an “outstretched hand” to Armenians, Turkey carries the attention of the public opinion on affirmative action, a helping hand but in reality tries to minimize or hide the dark side of the Turkish government’s actions.