WASHINGTON—California Senator Barbara Boxer said she would vow to keep working towards the adoption of US policy that recognizes the Armenian Genocide and that urges the Turkish government to do the same, in a statement released on Tuesday.
“As we approach next year’s 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, be assured that I will keep working to ensure that this unspeakable crime is fully acknowledged, never forgotten, and never repeated,” Senator Barbara Boxer said in her statement.
“Recently, I joined a bipartisan majority of my colleagues on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee in voting to approve S.Res.410, which remembers and observes the 99th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide,” she said.
”I am proud to be a co-sponsor of S.Res.410, which calls the death of 1.5 million Armenians who died at the hands of the Ottoman Empire between 1915 and 1923 by its rightful name – genocide. In addition, the resolution directs the President to ensure that the foreign policy of the United States reflects an appropriate understanding of issues related to human rights, crimes against humanity, ethnic cleansing, and the Armenian Genocide,” Senator Boxer said.
Will Obama Hide Behind Erdogan’s Hypocrisy?
BY ARA KHACHATOURIAN
It’s that time of the year again when Armenians across the world—but especially in the United States—await the annual White House statement on the Armenian Genocide, which, since 1981, has never actually used the word “Genocide.”
This will be President Obama’s sixth such statement, the last five of which clearly veered from his campaign promise to recognize the Armenian Genocide and used euphemisms to characterize what actually happened and played into the an almost century-long campaign by Turkey to deny the events of 1915. Essentially, the president who campaigned for “change” himself became complicit in the crime of Genocide by unabashedly denying it as an apologist for Turkey.
This year, however, two recent statements make us wonder whether Obama’s April 24 statement will be different—different bad or different good?
Earlier this week, US Ambassador to Armenia John Heffern said that the White House was planning to issue a statement that would signal a change in US policy regarding the Armenian Genocide. He did immediately add that he was unsure whether the word Genocide would be used or not, signaling that whatever the vernacular not much change was coming down the pipeline.
Then on Wednesday, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, issued a verbose and absurd statement, which in a nutshell was adeptly characterized by the ANCA as “repackaging denial.” Using the tried and true “shared suffering” argument articulated by Turkish officials for decades, Erdogan offered condolences to the descendents of Genocide survivors—almost a century too late.
In 2009, Obama chose Turkey as the destination of his first official visit and during public appearances urged the government and citizens of Turkey to come to terms with their past. Then in a defeatist move, the Obama administration took to pushing the State Department-crafted Turkey-Armenia protocols, which was inherited from the Bush Administration, but nevertheless was embraced by the then Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton.
Did Heffern preview a “change” in US policy based on his knowledge that Erdogan was about to issue an announcement? Does the Obama Administration view Erdogan’s feeble attempt at, once again, rewriting history as a sign that Turkey is heeding his call and coming to terms with its past?
One thing is clear: If any mention of Erdogan’s statement finds its way into Obama’s April 24 statement, then it cements the reality the US is unable to advocate for justice and human rights around the globe and is a victim of Turkey’s imposed gag rule on the Genocide, further perpetuating US’s complicity in the crime.
Will Obama hide behind Erdogan’s/Turkey’s hypocrisy? As Americans we hope that he will NOT!
Participants of torchlight vigil to Armenian Genocide Memorial gathering in Liberty Square (Video)
Photo by Arsen Sargsyan/NEWS.am
April 23, 2014 | 19:17
YEREVAN. – The participants of torchlight vigil to Armenian Genocide Memorial are already in Liberty Square. (photo)
The action is organized by youth branches of ARF Dashankstutyun, Nikol Aghbalyan student union.
The participants have brought the flags of Turkey and Armenia, the Armenian News-NEWS.am correspondent reports.
The flags of countries that had recognized Armenian Genocide are brought to the square. The participants are holding “ Recognize Armenian Genocide,1.5 mln” poster.
As reported earlier, the participants will head to the president’s residence to hand over a letter demanding withdrawal of signature from Armenia-Turkey protocols for the sake of justice, condemnation and continuation of the efforts aimed at Armenian Genocide recognition ahead of the 100th anniversary next year.
Armenian president: Turkey has a good chance to repent
April 23, 2014 | 21:26
YEREVAN. – President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan addressed the nation on Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day.
The statement reads:
“Dear compatriots,
Today we bow to the memory of the innocent victims of the Armenian Genocide. One and a half million Armenians fell prey to such a crime which did not have a name at that time. Nor had a human language coined such an expression or a term yet. They were killed simply because they were Armenians. The crime designed minutely and in advance pursued a clear goal: to take possession of the home country, the property and the millennium-old heritage by exterminating the native people living there. By this they committed a monstrous crime seeking to once and forever annihilate Armenians as a political factor.
Today, nearly a hundred years after the Genocide, it is obvious that we as a nation were not ready to undergo those hardships neither psychologically nor in terms of an organization degree. Up until now, all the parts of Armenian people and all generations have known what the outcomes of the Genocide feel like. It is true. However, the reality is that we have built our state and today, in contrast to the past, we are ready to confront such calamities both psychologically and in terms of an organization degree especially in our homeland. Nowhere in the world is as safe for an Armenian as it is under the auspices of his own state.
Dear compatriots,
The 24th of April is just a symbolic date: it is clear that the Armenian Genocide was not initiated and put an end in one day. Moreover, it is alive as far as the successor of the Ottoman Turkey continues its policy of utter denial. We are convinced that the denial of a crime constitutes the direct continuation of that very crime. Only recognition and condemnation can prevent the repetition of such crimes in the future.
Today, we stand on the threshold of the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. This can afford Turkey a good chance to repent and to set aside the historical stigma in case if they make efforts to set free their state’s future from this heavy burden.
At the same time, I publicly reaffirm: we do not consider the Turkish society as our enemy. Bowing to the memory of the innocent victims we remember all those Turks, Turkish families who lent a helping hand to their Armenian neighbors, friends being annihilated by the barbarians and helped numerous Armenian children escape from the clutches of the mob. God bless the memories of those who gave plenty of our compatriots a helping hand by risking even their and their families’ lives. Every society including Turks should be proud of their ancestors who rescued lives and threw down the gauntlet to the Genocide. We remember this.
We express our gratitude to all the countries and peoples who granted asylum to our compatriots having had a narrow escape from the Genocide. Armenian people will remember this forever. Our sisters and brothers have kept showing their gratitude for decades by becoming devoted citizens of those hospitable countries.
Today, the Armenians of Syria have got into trouble. This is our open wound and the issue of our primary concern. We do our best to re-establish peace for Syrian people and our compatriots of Syria.
Dear compatriots,
We are approaching the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide with a straightening back, open-faced and having a state whose name is the Republic of Armenia. It is the homeland of entire Armenians who despite the decade-old illegal blockade and the “neither war nor peace” reality continue to make progress.
The year 2015 should convey a strong message to Turkey. The attitude toward Armenia can no longer be measured by words because it presumes clear steps: the opening of the closed borders and the establishment of normal relations. Our position on the Armenian-Turkish protocols has not changed and the idea of “reasonable terms” is becoming more urgent than ever”.
Goodbye net neutrality (F.C.C., in Turnaround, Plans to Allow Fast Lane
Diaspora Armenian: Improvement of justice will be
Suzanne Khardali: “Please help us to return. Let our dead to come and get them duly My gömebilel. We turn to us to find mass graves and memorials of them, what we lose our honor to help. “
SUZANNE KHARDALİ:Beirut-born director. He studied journalism in Beirut and Paris, and in Paris of Armenian newspaper Gamk (Will) was the editor. Khardali settled in Stockholm in 1987 which, in 1988, ‘Ararat’ Return to movie began directing documentaries. Taken in 2012, ‘Grandma’s Tattoos’ movie theater with the story of Holocaust survivor grandmother moved.
I’ve never seen the names of places and too absurd to be etched in my mind. Kars, Van, Ahtamar, Malatya, Maras and invisible places like Adiyaman maps, nearly a tattoo on my body. I know them all by heart. Maybe the old maps but also maps of today’s Turkey.
Memleketimden strange details, sounds and smells to me in past cases. Those scrumptious fish in Lake Van, Diyarbakir, the gorgeous watermelon, Sasuke I know how it smells when it rains the soil. How is it, one on one to experience so much information about what happens? The answer is very simple;because I was born with an encoded memory. Of the country, lost the memory of the country …
Maras and Adiyaman my father’s mother and father, my mother’s mother and father came from the Moses Mountain and Belen.
The four of them, to love their children and grandchildren lost territory and taught her the value of giving. Marash was a child my grandfather, was the son of an orphan; has lost all his family. 11 brothers … father disappeared, his mother walking in relocation frozen from the cold while …
My grandmother has been kidnapped and sexually abused. Only 12 years old. Never smiled. His face was no time to laugh, hug me, never has. The walking dead. It was hidden in the silence of words.
My grandfather, he was executed along with his assistant in court was a judge. My grandmother and my grandfather taken away, were life; get a good education, was the chance to be happy and live a normal life.
I grew up a major load on my shoulders. My parents, my grandmother and my grandfather had one request: to forget. Never forget! Loved ones lost in the sands of the desert, the people lost in the memory of the massacre occurred …
Today, people’s lack of a family cemetery is what I understand. The tomb itself, now, past and future is the place you see. Get me what was this sense of belonging and continuity.Today I walk anywhere in the world, I’m looking for my roots, which will be fed me, our memories and our roots which nourish our souls …
I hope that the people of Turkey will understand my pain. In 1915, the suffering was not destroyed during the genocide; In contrast, those ‘ah became permanent and intractable.But justice will be healing.
I wish that that Turkey and its brave citizens dared to remove voice and ensure that justice will find.
Please help us to return. Let our dead to come and get them duly My gömebilel. We turn to us to find mass graves and memorials of them, what we lose our honor to help.
We want to go home.
I want to go home!
Stockholm
The healing can happen through justice
It is so absurd that I have never seen places and names that are engraved in my mind myself. Invisible Maps of places such as Kars, Van, Aghtam, Malatya, Adiyaman area Marashi and tattooed on my body. I know them by heart. old maps may be, but still maps of palces of today’s Turkey.
Bizarre detais, sounds and smells, from the homeland have been passed on to me. I know about the fantastic fish from lake Van, the great watermelons from Diyarbakir, can almost smell the earth when it rained in Sassoon.
How come I am full of information that I have not experienced firsthand?
Simply because I was born with the memory encoded in me. The memory of the land, the home that was lost.
My paternal grandparents c Marashi and updates from Adiyaman, my maternal grandparents c clearance from Musa Dagh and Belen.
All four of them taught their children and grandchildren to love and treasure the lost land. My grandfather was just a boy from Marash, the son of an orphan, he feels lost entire family. 11 brothers and sisters. feeling disappeared father. feelings mother froze to death on the march deportation.
My grandma was kidnapped and sexually abused. she was only 12 she never laughed, she never smiled. She never hugged me. She was a walking corpse. Words were each in each silence.
My great grandfather was a judge who was executed in the court, together with his assistant.
What was taken from my grandparents was their life, their chance to make a decent education, their happiness and normality to chance.
I grew up with a huge burden. My parents and grandparents had one request; not to forget.Never forget! the memory of my loved ones lost in the sands of the desert. the memory of my people lost in the killing fields.
Today I understand what does it mean not to have a family grave. A grave is a place where you see yourself, your present, the past and the future
What was taken from me was this continuity, the feeling of belonging. I wonder drifting around the planet today, searching for the roots that would be me nourish, nourish our minds and our souls.
I hope that Turkish people will understand my plight. The pain Caused notes in the genocide of 1915 has vanished, on the contrary it ahs become, constant and chronic. The healing can happen only through justice.
My wish is that Turkey and its courageous citizens will dare to raise their voice and dispense justice.
Help us to come back. so that we can find the dead and give them a decent burial. Let us find the mass graves and turn them into monuments honoring them.
We want you to return home.
I want to return home!
Suzanne who Khardali
Stockholm
Turkish PM Erdoğan extends condolences to grandchildren of Ottoman Armenians
ANKARA, Turkey (A.W.)—Turkey’s Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan issued a statement today “on the events of 1915,” a day before the 99th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.
The statement comes at a period of intense pressure on Ankara, and is seen as an effort to preempt international recognition of the Armenian Genocide on the threshold of the centennial.
Employing euphemisms and the age-old “everyone suffered” denialist refrain, Erdogan concludes his statement by wishing that “the Armenians who lost their lives in the context of the early twentieth century rest in peace, and we convey our condolences to their grandchildren.”
Below is the full text of the statement, in English, as posted on the prime minister’s website.
***
THE MESSAGE OF THE PRIME MINISTER OF THE REPUBLIC OF TURKEY, RECEP TAYYIP ERDOĞAN ON THE EVENTS OF 1915
(UNOFFICIAL TRANSLATION)
“The 24th of April carries a particular significance for our Armenian citizens and for all Armenians around the world, and provides a valuable opportunity to share opinions freely on a historical matter.
It is indisputable that the last years of the Ottoman Empire were a difficult period, full of suffering for Turkish, Kurdish, Arab, Armenian and millions of other Ottoman citizens, regardless of their religion or ethnic origin.
Any conscientious, fair and humanistic approach to these issues requires an understanding of all the sufferings endured in this period, without discriminating as to religion or ethnicity.
Certainly, neither constructing hierarchies of pain nor comparing and contrasting suffering carries any meaning for those who experienced this pain themselves.
As a Turkish proverb goes, “fire burns the place where it falls.”
It is a duty of humanity to acknowledge that Armenians remember the suffering experienced in that period, just like every other citizen of the Ottoman Empire.
In Turkey, expressing different opinions and thoughts freely on the events of 1915 is the requirement of a pluralistic perspective as well as of a culture of democracy and modernity.
Some may perceive this climate of freedom in Turkey as an opportunity to express accusatory, offensive and even provocative assertions and allegations.
Even so, if this will enable us to better understand historical issues with their legal aspects and to transform resentment to friendship again, it is natural to approach different discourses with empathy and tolerance and expect a similar attitude from all sides.
The Republic of Turkey will continue to approach every idea with dignity in line with the universal values of law.
Nevertheless, using the events of 1915 as an excuse for hostility against Turkey and turning this issue into a matter of political conflict is inadmissible.
The incidents of the First World War are our shared pain. To evaluate this painful period of history through a perspective of just memory is a humane and scholarly responsibility.
Millions of people of all religions and ethnicities lost their lives in the First World War. Having experienced events which had inhumane consequences – such as relocation – during the First World War, should not prevent Turks and Armenians from establishing compassion and mutually humane attitudes among towards one another.
In today’s world, deriving enmity from history and creating new antagonisms are neither acceptable nor useful for building a common future.
The spirit of the age necessitates dialogue despite differences, understanding by heeding others, evaluating means for compromise, denouncing hatred, and praising respect and tolerance.
With this understanding, we, as the Turkish Republic, have called for the establishment of a joint historical commission in order to study the events of 1915 in a scholarly manner. This call remains valid. Scholarly research to be carried out by Turkish, Armenian and international historians would play a significant role in shedding light on the events of 1915 and an accurate understanding of history.
It is with this understanding that we have opened our archives to all researchers. Today, hundreds of thousands of documents in our archives are at the service of historians.
Looking to the future with confidence, Turkey has always supported scholarly and comprehensive studies for an accurate understanding of history. The people of Anatolia, who lived together for centuries regardless of their different ethnic and religious origins, have established common values in every field from art to diplomacy, from state administration to commerce. Today they continue to have the same ability to create a new future.
It is our hope and belief that the peoples of an ancient and unique geography, who share similar customs and manners will be able to talk to each other about the past with maturity and to remember together their losses in a decent manner. And it is with this hope and belief that we wish that the Armenians who lost their lives in the context of the early twentieth century rest in peace, and we convey our condolences to their grandchildren.
Regardless of their ethnic or religious origins, we pay tribute, with compassion and respect, to all Ottoman citizens who lost their lives in the same period and under similar conditions.”
Turkey, Genocide denial conference in Van
Denialist Turkish historians discuss the events of 1915 at a conference entitled “The First World War and the Armenians” to be held on 24 and 25 April in the city of Van, Turkey.
The president of the Turkish Historical Society said that historians will study the documents obtained in American English archives, and German during the two-day event.
Congressional Delegation to Arrive in Armenia Wednesday
YEREVAN (Arka)—From April 23 to 26, a U.S. Congressional delegation — including House Representatives Ed Royce (R-CA), Eliot Engel (D-NY), David Cicilline (D-RI), and Lois Frankel (D-FL) — will visit Armenia, the US embassy in Yerevan reported.
The delegation will meet with a number of officials from the executive branch and members of the National Assembly, as well as with civil society activists and political analysts. Other visits will include a meeting with the Catholicos at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, a tour of the Armenian National Engineering Laboratory (ANEL) and a discussion with the American Chamber of Commerce.
The delegation will participate in the commemorations of the Armenian Genocide in Yerevan on April 24.
The Congressmen are all members of the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee: Congressman Royce serves as the Committee’s Chairman and Congressman Engel as a Ranking Member. The delegation is also visiting Azerbaijan and Ukraine.