It is no secret that Armenian communities around the world are busy planning scores of projects for the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, on April 24, 2015.
It is also no secret that the Turkish government and its agents are closely monitoring all announced Armenian plans, so that Ankara can prepare its counter-moves to the anticipated Armenian “tsunami.”
By publicizing their plans more than two years before the centennial, Armenians are providing Turkish denialists valuable intelligence and sufficient lead-time to figure out how best to disrupt commemorative activities.
Armenians must realize that successive Turkish governments have had a long history of genocide denial. The crime of genocide and its cover up were designed simultaneously almost a century ago by the Young Turk regime. Furthermore, as a powerful state, Turkey is eager and willing to use its considerable resources to counter Armenian political initiatives around the globe. Ankara routinely pressures, threatens, and even blackmails individuals, organizations, and states that acknowledge the facts of the Armenian Genocide.
A small example of such ominous developments occurred recently when a production team announced plans to make a major movie on the Armenian Genocide, based on Micheline Aharonian Marcom’s novel, Three Apples Fell from Heaven. Sona Tatoyan, the film’s producer, gave an interview to a Turkish newspaper while visiting Istanbul last month, probably unaware that the Turkish media is notorious for distorting Armenian Genocide-related topics. Tatoyan was fortunate that she was interviewed by Radikal, one of Turkey’s more reputable newspapers, known for its liberal views on the Armenian Genocide. Even then, there were some minor distortions in Radikal’s report. What made matters worse was the translation of the Tatoyan interview into English by a little known website called Al-Monitor, seriously distorting her views.
For example, Tatoyan’s statement to Radikal, that the bones of genocide victims were protruding from the sands of the Syrian desert in Der Zor and Ras al-Ayn, was misrepresented by Al-Monitor as: “We were crushing skulls and tossing bones.” Worse yet, Al-Monitor falsely quoted Tatoyan as stating, “They [Armenians] should forget the genocide.” In reality, she had said, “Making peace with Anatolia, with Turks, does not mean forgetting the genocide or condoning the politics of denial in Turkey.”
Tatoyan was naturally upset by the distortions of her deeply held convictions on the Armenian Genocide. In a subsequent interview with Asbarez newspaper, she categorically denied having ever told Armenians to forget the genocide. “I have not made such a statement. How could I have? How could I have said anything like that in an interview about a film on the Armenian Genocide I am helping create?”
Since Al-Monitor’s article was in English, most non-Turkish speakers read the distorted version of Tatoyan’s interview, which was widely disseminated on the internet. Many readers were terribly disappointed by what they thought were her views on the Armenian Genocide. This is a serious blow to her efforts because making a major movie is a costly undertaking that requires a huge investment. When potential financial supporters are turned off, it could have a devastating impact on the future of her project.
However, Tatoyan remains deeply committed to her film. She realizes that “during the production of the film, there will be constant attempts to distract us, to take our attention away from our goal of producing a great historical epic film on the Armenian Genocide. The best way to counter such attempts is to stay focused on the film and produce it for the world to see. The film speaks for itself,” she told Asbarez.
It is unclear if the distortions of her interview resulted from poor translation or were intentionally done to undermine a major movie on the Armenian Genocide. Nevertheless, between now and April 24, 2015, Armenians may encounter a multitude of sinister Turkish schemes to quash Armenian initiatives aiming to demand justice from Turkey.
Armenians should be alert and circumspect in publicizing their plans for the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. Very few details should be disclosed to the public during the planning stages of special events and projects. The Turkish government should be prevented from learning about planned activities as much as possible in order to deny Ankara advance knowledge and time to counter and undermine Armenian righteous demands on the centennial of one of the 20th century’s most heinous crimes against humanity!
Harut Sassounian
In describing the various lies and half truths Britain used to keep Germany guessing as to her intentions and capabilities, Churchill said that precious truth had to be protected by a “bodyguard of lies.” Let’s adapt that approach and deluge the Turks with lots of fake plans. Let’s find an additional way to test them. Let’s wear them out.
Mr. Sassounian
The bottom line is that you are geared to achieve your political target which is carving a piece of land of Turkey. The trouble you have is even all Armenians in the world had resided in Turkey, it would still be impossible for you to achieve your goal. Good luck with your journey anyway.
This is john’s opinion!! Western Armenia should be annexed to Armenia proper, then Armenians of the world will live in Armenia once again!!
“Impossible” you claim john? “Impossible” to reclaim what was stolen from Armenians? Ha! Was it not “impossible” for Armenians to escape and survive the Genocide as well? You recklessly underestimate the possible. We Armenians are alive and well john pestering the likes of you with inconvenient facts that you are so ashamed of.
Denial hasn’t served you nor your country well john, its time to find a new hobby.
The Turkish government will face its bloody past come hell or high water, kicking and screaming against their will your masters in ankara will be held accountable for the shameful crimes against humanity. If your lucky john, you will have the honour of witnessing your own teary Prime Minister beg Armenian leaders for forgiveness at the Armenian Genocide Memorial in Yerevan. This day will mark the end of your petty day job as a tired propagandist and perhaps inspire you to embrace higher virtues of truth and justice while reconciling your differences with historical facts. Until then, good luck with your trivial attempts to dissuade.
If I was you I wouldnt be so confidant. Rather, I would approach this with caution. There is a good reason why your country is in panik and Armenian name and genocide takes on a significant portion of its political efforts.
Maybe you say that because Turkey is a NATO member. But, it wasn’t that long ago that former Yogoslavia broak appart into 6 countries. It takes war, politics, and social changes to come together plus some natural disasters and conflicts in the region like the syrian conflict to set it to fire.
You got Heshmesti (muslim decendants of Armenians) in significant numbers. I am sure your paniked government keeps an eye on them since some are converting back or come out of their hiding.
30 million Kurds: If they decide they can wreck cahos on Turkey. And on top of that, you have neighbors who know what you did to them in the past. The whole genocide is just one true story from one of them. Greeks, Bulgarians, even muslims.
Yes, we can’t do it alone. But, there are many countries who are joining us.
Absolutely !
I was very surprised when the details of the film were made public. A tight central control is absolutely needed for all communications, projects and undertakings.
I am truly puzzled.Avery,Sella and Ararat,at least three of you come to my aid.Firstly,I think there was debate here short while ago about this ¨´Three apples fell..¨To which i also contributed,if I remember well pointing out that this title was of a book publishsed in London by an armenian writer yrs ago.
Secondly, MsTatoyan of all places to visit for her planned film,was it ultimatley necessary to go to istanbulla!!!!!
which still is the 2nd most important city of great Turkey.Or did she imagine -like many Paremid Armenians, not to say Barzamid(kindminded not to say simple minded) that she was on European soil8though great Turkey so far has not been admitted to that area,after nmear 40 yrs of tries….
Please,come and tell me above three co writers here,why on earth shoiuld she go to Istanbulla!!!!
Oh never mind, when we still have Paremids that still think Turks attitude has REALLY CHANGED TOWARDS THE Ermeni then let them go by all means. Fact is when there was this article here by the editor,i never said anything to the effect that he should not have goen.But his was LIKE AN ASSIGNMENT, a true assignment to blast the gathering in great Turkey -ina avery subtle way, that no Turk could criticize him nor an armenian -like self-he did well trying to drive home what the Real ISSUE is about in a very sophisticated manner that even the most devout deep state official of that country could not criticize.Like Hrant and abit even on a higher level that of khatchik Mouradian.
But to go with an intention of filming a movie there in light of what Sassounian above has just described…that of getting geared up for the 100th Anniversay, a bit puzzling!!!
Please Ms Tatoyan with all due respect to you and your plans (and wishes of success) why not some other country…say Armenia or NK where scenary similar to what you need maybe there too and let the locals benefit from your work there.They need that.Armenians in RA, do not receive as yet Billion dollar non returnable aid from uncles……some tenth of it yes!!!!
and that after so much suffering at the hands of the adversaries…
Hope I did make the point .Otherwise above 3 come to polish up what I just posted. BTW, my idea of a Film that may pass the ¨´Schindler´s list¨¨ is or will be form a novel entitled ¨¨ m a m i g o n ¨ by Jack Hashian(a n ex State Dept- functionary who was not intimidated or scared in brining to light what Transpired in 1915 with a scenario that is POIFECT!!!!
It would be very naive to think that Turks and their little helpers in the US rely on monitoring our late brainstorming publications to develop their strategy and tactics.
They wouldn’t be Turks if they didn’t start preparing for 2015 right after 1965.
Gaytzag, you are right on target. There are places in Armenia that are so beautiful that you lose all sense of time and place and space. You are simply caught up in the ethereal wonder of the universe. There are mountains and valleys and rivers that inspire poetry. To film in Armenia is to film in the midst of your brethren. To film in Turkey is to film in the midst of genocide deniers.
You are also completely right about Mamigon. Once you start reading Hashian’s monumental work, it is impossible to put it down. I have had the great pleasure of reading it several times. Here is the opening paragraph of the Foreword, so readers can just imagine how well-written and suspenseful the actual novel itself is.
“This is the story of Mamigon…soldier, sailor, blacksmith, truck driver.
It is also a story about Armenians – not the gentle and sensitive Armenians of William Saroyan and Elia Kazan – but the Armenians descended from those who first cast iron and rode their horses roughshod and bloodily through the Bronze Age; of Armenians descended from those who beat back the Persian hordes of Darius and Cyrus, the Greek phalanxes, the Roman legions, holding out for centuries at the crossroads of civilization, the Golden Crescent only to embrace Christianity and finally fall to the sword of Islam 900 years ago as they repeatedly and meekly turned the other cheek.
This is the story of Mamigon, a modern-day Armenian at the start of World War I who did not know how to turn the other cheek. It is a story of vengeance and death as he tracks the killer of his family across the suddenly hostile homeland of his fathers to the bewildering shores of the New World.
It is a story of bloodshed and tears not meant for the meek or squeamish. It is the story of the Turkish massacre of Armenians, told not as a history but as a developing tale based on fact with characters whose experiences have long since been buried with their bones in the hard clay of the Anatolian Plain or in the rocky ground of New England.”
Gaytzag; do you know if Jack Hashian is still alive? Thanks for reminding me about this monumental work again. It’s raining in Canada today. I think I’ll make a cup of tea and read Mamigon again, just one more time.
You are absulutely right Haurut,
I think: Why would any Armenian trust a Turks, let alone the Turkish government or the media. Armenians must be playing the chess of Turkey V.S. Armenia much better than the Chess championship tournoments, since Turkey has much more pieces to move and more checker board squares to strat from. Get the idea???
Since knowledge is power, the knowing of Turks denying the genocide and steps they take to cover the truth for almost 100 years adds a great deal on top of the first crime (the genocide) that is in our collective memory. We can’t judge a turk by the books they write, their liberal view point, their love for Armnians, their call for peaceful dialog, or any other supposedly positive distraction from the main theam.
And this century: has never been as many Turkish actitivies to counteract Armenian Genocide memorials, gatherings, and other events than now. We hear news of Turkish panik over our Genocide showcase in scandinavia and their side of the story ” The so called” in the same musium.
Yes, Turks are paniked and they will not rest until either they defeat our efforts and our call for justice or they get defeated.
We can’t afford to have our organizations and exposed personalities to regergetate every event we plan. We don’t need the ones who deny our history and theirs to know what we have to do, since they are not competant to our message anyway. Our big event in 2015 should be the benchmark of our message to tell Turkish politicians that 100 years won’t stop us, and we will continue towards a 2nd century of fight against denial of our past. It’s a ritual that is too sacred to trust Turks with the knowing.
To keep Turks paniked and continue getting more countries to recognize the Armenian genocide we can’t be expressive without a plan.
Dear Perouz,
About two hours ago i wrote a whole page in response to yours above…then it must have pulled the disappearing act!!!!
here goes.Indeed the Script of it has been written according another web site8Armenian) maybe I should not have named it.Competition to AW?
then I also mentioned how I came across Actress Sharon Tate-s brother in yerevan and gave copy to him(had had 4/5 copies reprinted in yerevan,.i know the way to do it real economically,not go to printers…
Anyhow Michael Stone a poet in his right, also interested in armenian affaris -But not an actor. his sister could occupy or act in one of the novel´s roles..but for Mamigon role I picture and suppsoe Liam something for get hios last name ,would do wonders…his built and now real armenian…
But then another Philly kid who has made film in Yeerevan could also do it.whatever.
I am in a hurry to leave home,granddaughter has got tickets for us to an Opera…
best
Gaydz
Mr. Sassounian:
You giving Ms. Tatoyan a pass so quickly based on what she claims she has or has not said to Radical and/or Al-Monitor is unusual.
Ms. Tatoyan has said some very strange things right here on the pages of AW.
Does the fact that the film is about Armenian Genocide automatically warrant uncritical acceptance ? Is it not possible that the film will actually cause great harm to the AG cause ? Why are people so sure it will be of benefit.
Based on the things she has said, I believe it will be used by Denialist Turks to disrupt our united efforts, same as the innocuous sounding “historical commission” clause inserted in the infamous Protocols. As you know, Denialists and their sycophants used it to great effect to blunt our AG recognition work, and in some cases set it back considerably.
Avery:
It’s not really what she claims. I read the Radikal interview, in Turkish, and Mr. Sassounian is right about what she really said.
She said: “What they [the diaspora] need to understand is that making peace with Anatolia and Turks does not mean “forgetting” the genocide. Nor does it mean approving/condoning the Turkish governments policy of denial.”
Will the film actually cause harm to the AG cause? Depends on your perspective, but she did say some pretty unusual things in the interview, I will say that. Such as “I don’t need the Turkish state to say ‘there was a genocide'”, because she felt Armenians who wanted Turkey to acknowledge the genocide were actually sending a message to the Turkish government that “My wounds cannot heal without you saying there was a genocide”- thereby giving Turkey more power. But then she says Turks have been running from the truth for decades, and asks how much longer they can keep this going. She acknowledges the film might not sit too well with Armenians, which seems to be the case for the most part.
I hate to put it quite this way, but based on a number of other examples as bad as if not worse than the apparent distortion of Tatoyan’s interview, any Armenian who gives an interview to a Turkish newspaper without insisting on approving the published text is courting trouble. You might say “The sun is shining today” and it will just as likely come out “Armenians must stop insisting on genocide recognition.”
Undoubtedly the Turks are making their plans and are cunning enough to not broadcast it, likely to incorporate the element of surprise. Turkey’s allies and unseen supporters can be helping to develop strategies that counteract Armenian goals.
For those of us who live to see 2015, we will either see the same old, same old from Turkey, or we will see a miraculous transformation into something new. While I’d prefer the later, I suspect we will experience the former and will see very little substantive change from the Turkish government as regards the genocide. It is sometimes said that blood can never be washed off of one’s hands, and sadly, that’s the underlying problem with Turkey. Way too much blood is still lingering in virtually every crack and crevice of the country. How can a nation, built on the blood of its original inhabitants, ever escape such a legacy? Well…for a start, maybe Turks could stop treating Armenians as subjects and start treating them as equals. Maybe Turks could ask Armenians how they would like to be included in any commemoration about 1915? Instead of a series of events that distances both parties, how about planning events that allow Turkey to apologize to Armenians without recrimination? The upcoming anniversary year provides a massive opportunity for Turkey…a once in a century opening to a potential new chapter. But of course, that choice is Turkey’s. They can choose to lead in an adult manner, or they can choose to maintain the century old facade propped up by lies and myths, like a petulant child who is way too old for such behavior. Only time will tell us if Turkey has really grown up or not.
The unacceptable phrase that she used as ,and I quote “I don’t need that Turkey to say there was a genocide…to that effect, can be construed to mean that we Armenians …in general ought to accept her statement. She has not thought a little , before uttering that personifying such a crucial issue for it involves all Armenity . Denying full Recognition .This is why I wrote on previous post a-above-why on earth did she go make those declarations in Istanbulla!!!
Couldn’t she do it elsewhere on a neutral territory , say Switzerland or Sweden, Norway etc.,or does she believe she is authorized by the remnants of the Genocide*actual heirs to the issue have already given her the green light to discuss such issues.She could at the veery least refrain from kmaking any sstatements as to matters that are N A T I O N A L….
This is what happens my dear compatriots when there isw not Armenian well organized Diaspora/. In my theories there are 15 classifications of Professional Groupings.hers would fall into the Education ^and Culture*as cinematography-whicha s a sub section would try to bring together dozens of our Film producers ,directors and in general those associated with this art..
heavens sake until when do we conduct our National Affairs each on his /her own.We need, organized Rank and File in classified Departments.
Enough thinking that the BBB’s Bishosp Benefactors and bosses are our BOSSES.Latter ahve to be e l e c t e d for their merits like I have been advocating…
Imagining that our 3/4% representing politico or compatritic ,benevolent establishments are our structured Diaspora is ERRONEOUS!!!!!
Time to act is now.Everyuthing is going to be de stabilized by our adversaries acting to put us in this shape we are in now.
Every perosn and every org. on own initiative and desire to be there at forefront. Whereas going through the crystalization mode of PCA’s*professional Colleagues Organization, we can bring forth our legitimate reps. of the Diaspora.also in cooperation with the politico and the clergy.I do not in any way disrespect their efforts ,but the makority are us non politico and in the PROFESSIONS!!!!!!
What’s more through the PCA’s we can attain yet another objective that of a NATIONAL INVESTMENT TRUST FUND!!!!for without economical means we cannot do much!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
she thus refuses to be one of our us who DEMAND J U S T I C E !!!!!