responsibility Archives

A book presented in Berlin on the responsibility of Germany in the genocide of the Armenians

June 10, 2017 by administrator

At the Heinrich Böll Foundation in Berlin was presented the book “Das Deutsche Reich und der Völkermord and den Armeniern” (German Reich and the Armenian Genocide), which contains numerous articles on the role of Germany during the genocide of the Armenians. The subject became relevant after the vote of recognition of the genocide of the Armenians by the German Parliament on 2 June 2016 and especially the assertion in the Bundestag text of Germany’s “share of responsibility” during the genocide. Even if the vote created Turkey’s anger, this recognition of Germany’s responsibility as an ally of Turkey during the genocide is of paramount importance and opens up new avenues of study on genocide.

What did Germany know about the crimes of 1915? It turns out from the German and foreign press reports of the time of the facts that Berlin was not ignorant of the mass massacres and the deportation of the Armenians. The historian Kristin Pchikkoltz, who has researched the German archives, asserts that the German government understood the necessity of the deportation of the Armenians of the Ottoman Empire and knew that these deportations carried out by the Young Turks meant annihilation Of the Armenian people. “Germany had a large network of consulates in the Ottoman Empire, whose agents regularly informed Berlin of the situation of the Armenians and not only during the First World War, but even before that. The German government knew how difficult the Armenians were and how explosive the situation was, “ says the German historian.
At the presentation of the book, Rolf Hosfeld, director of the Heinrich Böll Foundation in Berlin, stated that on 7 July 1915 the German Ambassador had returned from Constantinople to Berlin. The diplomat then wrote that the will of the Turkish leaders was the elimination of the Armenian nation in the Ottoman Empire. He also asserted that German diplomats at the time had very fairly presented what was later termed genocide. He recalled that the German parliamentarians had not only described the term “genocide” as having occurred in the Ottoman Empire in 1915-1916 but had also accepted the responsibility of Germany, which was the ally of Turkey . The German deputies also considered that Berlin had done nothing to save the Armenians from massacres and deportation.

Krikor Amirzayan

Breaking News Alert: ISIS has claimed responsibility for attacks that killed dozens in Brussels

March 22, 2016 by administrator

Tuesday, March 22, 2016 11:50 AM EDT
The official news agency of the Islamic State has issued a bulletin claiming responsibility for the deadly attacks Tuesday in Brussels.
“Islamic State fighters carried out a series of bombings with explosive belts and devices on Tuesday, targeting an airport and a central metro station in the center of the Belgian capital Brussels, a country participating in the coalition against the Islamic State,” the statement says.

Kurdistan Freedom Falcons TAK claims Responsibility for the action in Ankara

February 19, 2016 by administrator

Kurdistan Freedom Falcons (also known as the Kurdistan Freedom Hawks Teyrêbazên Azadiya Kurdistan, or TAC) has released a statement claiming Responsibility for action against the Turkish army convoy in the capital city Ankara.

Report ANF

CIC said the action that draughty with hundreds of dead members of the Turkish Army was Conducted to avenge the Defenseless and brutally massacred in basements Civilians wounded in Cizre. “Everyone should know that those who ordered the massacre of Civilians were responsible for the incident in Ankara,” it underlined. The statement also recalled Previously highlighted TAC’s statement that they would avenge every Kurdish person victimized by attacks.

Calling attention to the most barbaric and immoral suffered from attacks by the Kurdistan people in the their history today, TAK said silence on this crime against humanity to this atrocity meant complicity.

CIC said the action was being carried out by Abdulbaki Sonmez (zınar RAPER’s), born in Van’s Gurpinar district in 1989 who has taken part in the Kurdish freedom struggle since 2005, and in the ranks of TAC since 2011. Raper was a combatant of the Immortals’ Battalion.

TAK reiterated their loyalty to the memory of the fallen comrade, and vowed to continue the struggle everywhere until enhancing occupant fascist forces are expelled from Kurdistan.

German journalist presentation of book on German responsibility in Armenian Genocide Istanbul

December 1, 2015 by administrator

Istanbul will host Wednesday, December 2, a presentation of the book “Genocide complicity: Germany’s role in the Armenian Genocide” by German journalist and writer Jurgen Gottschlich, Ermenihaber.am reports citing Demokrat Haber.

The author will read some excerpts from the book to answer the attendee’s questions afterwards.

The volume unveils the story of how Germany – which wanted to establish a strong presence in the East during the WWI – lured Turkey into the war. The German officers who served in the Ottoman army, characterized Armenians as spies and traitors. And when the forced deportations of Armenians turned into genocide, the German government thought it was a “harsh, but productive measure.” According to the author, Germany turned a blind eye to the diplomats and clergy members’ concerns about the atrocities perpetrated against the Armenians.

When writing the book, Gottschlich visited the sites of those events, met with descendants of Genocide survivors, simultaneously studying German and Turkish archives.

Islamic State claims responsibility for #Paris attacks

November 14, 2015 by administrator

The Islamic State militant group claimed responsibility on Saturday for attacks that killed 127 people in Paris, Reuters reported.

In an official statement the group said its fighters strapped with suicide bombing belts and carrying machine guns carried out the attacks in various locations in the heart of the capital which were carefully studied.

Ralf Wieland: Germany shares responsibility for Armenian Genocide

February 28, 2015 by administrator

During the First World War Germany as an ally was well aware of the Young Turks’ plans and shared responsibility for a genocide perpetrated against Armenians in the Ottoman Empire, chairman of the state parliament of Berlin Ralf Wieland said.

The state parliament of Berlin organized a commemoration event dedicated to the centennial of the Armenian Genocide.

The speakers called on Turkey to recognize the Genocide in order to prevent repetition of similar crimes against humanity.

President the state parliament of Berlin touched upon the role of Germany: “During the First World War, Kaiser’s Germany as an ally, knew about the plans of the Young Turk government, and shared with them the responsibility for perpetrating a genocide against the Armenians in the Ottoman Empire. The German side was aware, however, prevention of the crime was not in the interests of the country”.

The KRG should accept responsibility for the current calamity in Kurdistan

August 10, 2014 by administrator

Dr. Hussein Tahiri — Special to Ekurd.net

August 10, 2014

The defeat of Kurdish forces at the hand of a terrorist group sent a shockwave through Kurdistan. It caused the exodus of tens of thousands of Kurdistanis, many deaths, countless rapes and pillages. This cannot be considered as an ordinary defeat or a tactical withdrawal. It has far reaching implications for the Kurds and their image in Kurdistan and beyond.

First, the fact that the Peshmargas evacuated their positions in Shangal, Zumar and other Ezidi populated areas and exposed the defenceless Ezidi population to an onslaught by the Islamic State is unforgivable. The Islamic State is a terrorist group that knows no boundary in savagery and is willing to go as low as a human being can go to satisfy their savage God whose demand for worship is only terror and blood of innocent people. How a defence force of a country can leave their population at the mercy of such savages?

Yes, Kurdistan shares more than 1000 Kilometres with the Islamic State and given the long borders, the Kurdish forces are stretched but the same applies to the Islamic State forces. Don’t the Kurds claim to have a force of 200,000 Peshmargas to defend Kurdistan? What happened to those Peshmargas who could hold up and defeat a huge Iraqi army with their basic weapons?

Whatever the Ezedis might be feeling towards Kurdish nationalism and their Kurdish identity is not relevant at this point. They are Kurdistanis and they must be defended. Leaving the Ezidis at the mercy of a terrorist group is not only a reckless act but crime.

Second, Christians within the border of Kurdistan must be protected like any other Kurdish citizen. In fact, Christians and other minorities should be given priority when it comes to the protection of their lives and properties. They are more vulnerable to terrorists as a minority and as non-Musims. The Kurdistan Regional Government has a duty of care towards them and they must have been protected.

Third, the defeat of Kurdish forces at the hand of a terrorist group undermines the very notion of Kurdistan independence. The Kurds in South Kurdistan are preparing to declare statehood and there is an increasing rhetoric that the Kurds deserve to form their own nation state. If the Kurds declare an independent state how can they defend their boundaries and sovereignty against strong neighbouring states when they cannot defend themselves against a terrorist group?

Fourth, Kurdish freedom movement has always prided itself in having a force, the Peshmarga, who are willing to die for the defence and freedom of Kurdistan. Peshmargas have established a reputation for being brave and fearless fighters. This name has gained sanctity amongst thewww.Ekurd.net Kurds. Kurdish withdrawal in the face of the Islamic State has undermined this image. Or, are we talking about different kinds of Peshmargas, and should we be distinguishing between the traditional Peshmargas who were willing to give their life for freedom of Kurdistan for no material gains and those whose main motives for serving in the Kurdish armed forces are financial gains? If this is the case, the Kurdistan Regional Government should no longer call its armed forces the Peshmarga. The behaviour of Kurdish forces since last week does not befit a Peshmarga force.

Fifth, despite all Kurdish bravados, they are now considered a weak force that are unable to defend themselves and are in need of foreign protection. The Iraqi armed forces became the subject of ridicule across the world for abandoning their positions in the face of a terrorist group. Now the Kurdish forces acted like their Iraqi counterparts. This was neither a surprise attack on the Kurds nor one that could not be anticipated.

The Kurdistan Regional Government should accept responsibility for this calamity and urgently initiate an investigation into this matter and find out what went wrong. Those Kurdish armed forces and leaders who failed in their duties should be hold accountable. Failure to do so will expose Kurdistan to a greater risk.

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Armenian FM: Azerbaijan assumes entire responsibility for ceasefire violations

August 3, 2014 by administrator

YEREVAN. – It’s time for international community to sober the Azerbaijani leadership which has lost the sense of reality and is going against the value-system of the international community, Armenian FM Edward Nalbandian said commenting on the recent escalation for Armenpress.am.

Foreign Minister condemned Baku’s provocative actions at the line of contact and border between Armenia and Azerbaijan that caused numerous casualties and sharp escalation of situation.

“We extend condolences to the families and friends of those killed during the Azerbaijani attacks,” he said.

“Baku continues to grossly violate the ceasefire agreements from May, 1994 and February, 1995, ignore the calls of the Heads of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chair countries to refrain from provocative actions and from the escalation of the situation, and the appeals of the international community that through the use of force the conflict can not be resolved , and that only through negotiations stability and peace can be achieved. The recurrent adventurism of Baku pursues an aim to undermine the negotiation process.

Being the initiator and instigator of the provocations, Azerbaijan is trying to put their responsibility on the other sides. However, it is obvious that by rejecting the proposals of the international community on the establishment of a mechanism of investigation of incidents, Azerbaijan is assuming the whole responsibility for the ceasefire violations.

It is high time for the international community to sober the Azerbaijani leadership which has lost the sense of reality and is going against the value-system of the international community.

Together with the Co-Chair countries Armenia will take the necessary steps for halting the provocative acts, for the stabilization of the situation, for continuation of the negotiation process aimed at the settlement of the conflict exclusively through peaceful means”.