Ever since Egypt’s President Mohamed Morsi was removed from office, Turkey’s Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has been harshly critical of the new government, strongly advocating his fellow Islamist Morsi’s return to power.
Given Erdogan’s unwelcome meddling in Egypt’s internal affairs, millions of Egyptians have expressed anger and resentment against Turkey and its prime minister. Egyptian newspapers have been replete with anti-Turkish reports and commentaries. Dozens of articles have been published condemning Turkish denials of the Armenian Genocide and urging Egypt’s new leaders to recognize it. There have also been calls for erecting a monument for the Armenian Genocide in Cairo and demands that Turkey pay restitution for the Armenian victims. In an unprecedented move, attorney Muhammad Saad Khairallah, head of the Institute of the Popular Front in Egypt, filed a lawsuit accusing Turkey of committing genocide against Armenians.
On Sept. 4, Khairallah and Dr. Ayman Salama, Professor of International Law at Cairo University, appeared on Lilian Daoud’s highly popular talk show, Al-Soura al-Kamila (The Complete Picture) on ONtv, watched by millions in Egypt and throughout the Arab world. Participating in the show by phone were Resul Tosun, former Turkish Parliament member from Erdogan’s Islamist AK Party, and Harut Sassounian, Publisher of The California Courier. The 36-minute TV program was conducted in Arabic, a language I have rarely used since childhood.
Prof. Salama informed the audience that the Turkish Military Tribunal in 1919 indicted the criminals responsible for the Armenian Genocide. Seventeen Turkish officials were found guilty, and three were hanged. Dr. Salama indicated that France, Great Britain and Russia had issued a joint Declaration in 1915, warning that they would hold Turkish leaders responsible for massacring Armenians and committing “crimes against humanity and civilization.”
Attorney Khairallah insisted that raising the Armenian Genocide issue in Egypt is long overdue and does not have any political undertones. He hoped that his lawsuit will force Egypt, “the largest Sunni country in the Middle East,” to serve as an example for other Arab countries to acknowledge the Armenian Genocide. Khairallah announced that his lawsuit will be considered by the Egyptian Court on November 5. He hoped that the Court would make a historic decision regarding this critical “human rights issue.”http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=teAKr6Psyl0&sns=em
When the hostess of the TV show asked for my opinion on the Egyptian lawsuit, I expressed my great satisfaction, hoping for a positive verdict on the eve of the Centennial of the Armenian Genocide, and looking forward to its recognition by the Egyptian government.
I also commented that Erdogan had anointed himself as the new Sultan of the Middle East, and sole defender of all Muslims, Arabs and Palestinians. However, Erdogan’s misrepresentation was finally exposed when the Arab world realized that he was simply trying to dominate the region, pursuing Turkey’s self-interest rather than that of Arabs and Muslims.
Former Turkish parliament member Resul Tosun, joining the show by phone, quickly antagonized the viewers by claiming that “the current Egyptian government that came to power after the military coup is not legitimate, therefore, the filed lawsuit cannot be considered legitimate.” Tosun then went on to parrot his Turkish bosses’ baseless denials of the Armenian Genocide.
Prof. Salama, incensed by Tosun’s remarks, called Erdogan “the successor of the Ottoman butchers who committed the Armenian Genocide.”
The TV hostess then asked for my reaction to Tosun’s perverted views on the Armenian Genocide. I reminded the viewers that Kemal Ataturk, in an interview published in the ‘Los Angeles Examiner’ on August 1, 1926, had demanded that the Young Turks be “made to account for the lives of millions of our Christian subjects who were ruthlessly driven en masse and massacred.” I also recalled that the Sheikh of Al-Azhar, leader of the globally preeminent center of Islamic studies in Cairo, had issued a Fatwa (religious decree) in 1909 chastising Turkish officials for massacring 30,000 Armenians in Adana, Cilicia.
At the end of the show, attorney Khairallah announced that public rallies will be held shortly to demonstrate that his group’s lawsuit emanates from a popular demand–Egyptians asking their government “to recognize that Armenians were massacred at the hands of Turkish criminals.”
So far, Lebanon is the only Arab country to have recognized the Armenian Genocide. If Egypt follows suit, can Syria and the rest of the Arab world be far behind?
Harut Sassounian
Turkey’s plan with Morssi to Check mate the West by balckmailing with the closing of the Suez canal and the canal of Hermuz went Kaput. Washington having Turkey as a friend he doesn’t need enemies.
A most welcome blow to Erdogan and company, this old Ottoman megalomaniac.
Thank you Mr. Sassounian. Turks thought they could destroy the Armenians, Greeks and Assyrians, steal their land and wealth and then just pretend it away..
Did you refer to yourself in the article using third person? Wow. Anyways…
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“Attorney Khairallah insisted that raising the Armenian Genocide issue in Egypt is long overdue and does not have any political undertones.”
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No political overtones? Really? Does anyone believe this?
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“Prof. Salama informed the audience that the Turkish Military Tribunal in 1919 indicted the criminals responsible for the Armenian Genocide. Seventeen Turkish officials were found guilty, and three were hanged.”
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Did she also mention that the Courts-Martial of 1919 was a kangaroo court, and “that its findings cannot be held of any account at all” (John de Robeck). I don’t mean to sound like a denialist here, but the fact that you “welcome” Egypt’s possible recognition, under these obvious, solely anti-Erdogan/Turkey circumstances, is very surprising. But if you don’t care, and any recognition is good recognition to you, so be it. Not my ancestor’s memory and murders being used in a dirty political game.
The circumstances surrounding the acceptance of the Armenian Genocide, by any government, and hopefully which eventually leads to justice through an apology and restitution, matters little. Just as as long as it happens.
Congratulations to all participants. This is the most informative and articulate discussion in Arabic I have ever heard on the Armenian Genocide. I was particularly impressed with Dr. Ayman Salama and his in-depth knowledge of all the facts.
I deplore however that the station OnTV did not use the word “Genocide” (الابادة الجماعية) in its text neither did Lilian Daoud, the host. They used instead “slaughters” (مذابح) and Armenian Massacres (مجاذر الارمن).
It is interesting that this Egyptian initiative happens when when the current Egyptian gouvernment is almost in open conflict with the Turkish Government. Is this really an Egyptian popular expression of opinion coming at a time when Egyptian popular opinion is finally free and wants to be totally humanitarian and seek justice for the Armenian people? I certainly hope so. If this is truly the case, then I congratulate the Egyptian people.
I certainly appreciate Dr. Ayman Salama’s initiative and intervention on this show. I was posted by the Canadian Government for 4 years in Cairo and know how to appreciate the beautiful and generous spirit of the Egyptian people.
I wish to congratulate all participants. This is the most informative and articulate discussion in Arabic I have ever heard on the Armenian Genocide. I was particularly impressed with Dr. Ayman Salama and his in-depth knowledge of all the facts.
I deplore however that the station OnTV did not use the word “Genocide” (الابادة الجماعية) in its text neither did Lilian Daoud, the host. They used instead “slaughters” (مذابح) and Armenian Massacres (مجاذر الارمن).
It is interesting that this Egyptian initiative happens when when the current Egyptian gouvernment is almost in open conflict with the Turkish Government. Is this really an Egyptian popular expression of opinion coming at a time when Egyptis finally free and wants to be totally humanitarian and seek justice for the Armenian people? I certainly hope so. If this is truly the case, then I congratulate the Egyptian people.
I certainly appreciate Dr. Ayman Salama’s initiative and intervention on this show. I was posted by the Canadian Government for 4 years in Cairo and know how to appreciate the beautiful and generous spirit of the Egyptian people.
I don’t think the turkish consulate knows his counry’s history, it’s amazing how they have changed the history to suit their needs.the whole world watched and well documented by German and american and Australian soldiers …..
RVDV
Whatever name you give to Turkish military tribunals in 1919, their verdicts were based on sound evidence and numerous living witness accounts. So your discription does not diminish their value and validity.
The circumstances for recognition of Genocide in Egypt may be due to new political considerations in that country, but it is also a fact that it is the same serlf-serving political considerations that prevent the US government from acknowledging the AG despite repeated recongitions by Congress. Just as the desparate attempts by Turkish government to cover up its crime can sometimes work, the truth can aslo defy all such attempts and begin to shine like the sun from behind the dark clouds, quite unexpectedly.
This was a brilliant move by the Egyptians to expose the Turkish lies and hypocrisy in a predominantly Muslim country. Having said that, I am not in the least bit surprised to know that Lebanon is the only Arab country to have recognized the Armenian Genocide. This can be attributed to a widespread disease among not just the Arab countries but in the Muslim world in general. They tend to take the religion of the genocide perpetrators and their victims into consideration when passing judgment on historical facts because they are slaves to their Muslim religion and after all to them the Christians belong to the wrong religion and are considered infidels. Why point fingers at their fellow Muslim Turkish genocide perpetrators when for centuries their blood-thirsty Turkish sultans were following the commands and the wishes of their Allah by invading Christian lands and subjugating their people? The anti-Armenian stand taken by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) on Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict is another prime example of this Muslim disease.
Regardless, we must use every means at our disposal to expose the Turkish crimes against our people they are working so hard to distort and hide. Let those hypocritical Turks who claim this was politically motivated be reminded of all the relentless and politically motivated maneuvers, bribery and blackmail that are undertaken by their two-faced and opportunist leaders year after year to stifle and force foreign leaders worldwide to refrain from exposing and speaking about their genocidal crimes.
Keep hitting the Turkish criminals and the denialists and hit them even harder when they are down because such despicable enemy must not just be exposed but crushed to pieces.
Professor Vahagn Dadrian in his book entitled “A textual Analysis of the Key Indictment of the Turkish Military Tribunal Investigating the Armenian genocide”,the proceedings of same.Please get hold of it and read , re read it.
This Egyptian “gesture” not so official shpould not be regarded as their Govt.’s attitude to the Armenian genocide.
Armenians in general like to see things in rosy colours…
How come when Hosni Mubarak was in power no such recognition was not enacted,mentioned…
The easily convinced Armenian that at*and at a moment when Egypt is in Turmoil..and indeed great Turkey after both Egypt and now Syria,trying to fish in muddy waters, whatever she can get to her benefit…
Pari-minded not to say Barzamid Hayer!!!!
Understand please-as an example, if the Phillipines , or Chile recognized the armenian genocide at this juncture that would be something…
And indeed our so called leaders should be after many many such like countries…instead of only the U.S.A////
Correction!
Chile has already recognized the Armenian Genocide.What I wished to convey was to work our way for recognition in many mnay other countries.Does not necessarily have to be an Arab one..
Finland, as example and some small cpountries around it ,oh there are so many more especially in S.America and Africa!!!!
Somce of latter have already established diplomatic relations with Armenia.These are easier to tackle.
hasgcoghin Barev
okey, here is the reality check accep it or not its up to you, armenian issue is brought up to parliments from time to time for political gains,egypt will never accept genocide claims for she knows it doesnt worth to be at odds with turkish people, right aftr mavi marmara incident some mks in israel proposed to recognize armenian genocide to get back at erdoğan but eventuaally the offer was refused for they deemed relations with turkey is crutial and goes beyond erdoğan, this is the case for usa as well, MR.Sassounian relentlessly trying to get an angle from what appears to be hopeless matters to give out hope on genocide, maybe this is a need for armenian readers to feel good every now and then im not sure, but if you just read his arguments you wll know they are so unlikely that even wishfull thinkings would pale in comparison, here is the wishfull thinking part of this article”If Egypt follows suit, can Syria and the rest of the Arab world be far behind?”
15:03 of the video features the Khojaly victims…
Your forgery poorly done, Mr. sassounian
Khojaly? Wasn’t that when the Azeri LOSING army, after starting the war, used their own as human shields and wouldn’t let their citizens escape at the warnings of the Armenian advancement? Of course it was..
You mean the forged Khojaly massacre photos?
@john, it absolutely was. This khojaly farce is the biggest coward Azerbaijani fabrication of the war they imposed on the Armenians. As if sending the ethnic minorities to the front to their deaths while their coward ethnic Azerbaijani soldiers and commanders were hiding behind them was not enough of an embarrassment, they had to plot the khojaly event to turn attention away from their humiliating defeats in the battlefield.
This fabricated event was planned and executed by the Azerbaijani Popular Front, the racist and fascist party opposed to the sitting Azerbaijani president Ayaz Mutalibov at the time. The idea was to hit two birds with one stone. They plotted to sacrifice the residents of the town for political gain to overthrow the president to take over the government and then blame their cowardice act on the Armenians. The residents had been given by the Armenians a free passage out of town long before they decimated the coward Azerbaijani fighters in the town hiding behind them. They instead used some of the town residents as human shields. The ousted president Mutalibov himself verified this plot. What a bunch of treasonous cowards the Azerbaijani Popular Front was indeed to commit such an act on its own people for selfish gains.
The pictures and posters the Azerbaijanis use in their fake and fabricated khojaly rallies are all taken from the war footage in Kosovo. I have seen the video footage and compared the pictures they use in their rallies and they are identical. This morally-bankrupt fake Azerbaijani racist nation has no shame. They cry wolf while the wolves are hiding right among them.
Wow! Thanks for posting this Harout. Simply amazing.
turkey should understand that it can never cover-up the first genocide of the century against its own citizens the Armenians, the whole world knows that TURKEY COMMITTED GENOCIDE AGAINST ARMENIANS AND STILL DENIES IT THE TURK USES THE SAME LIES TO DENY THE TRUTH WHAT A SHAME ON TURKEY,A LOT OF TURKS ADMIT THAT THEIR COUNTRY COMMITTED GENOCIDE AGAINST THE ARMENIANS AND THEY WANT TURKEY TO ADMIT AND RECOGNIZE IT.