As we approach the 100th anniversary of the Armenian genocide dispute appeared in the Bundestag on the commemoration is considered. While the Greens and the Left want to talk about the genocide as such, the federal government and the advice of coalition parties have expressed reservations about it.
Der Tagesspiegel newspaper according to the “apparently, it is feared a conflict with Turkey, which rejects the classification of the massacre as genocide today.”
On April 24, a one-hour debate in the Bundestag should take place on the occasion of the anniversary.
Bundestag in recent months, an informal working group of politicians from all four groups discussed how to handle this anniversary. For members Cem Özdemir of the Green Party and the party die Petra Pau Link, it was clear they want to use the word genocide with their fractions. In turn the competent Rapporteur of the CDU and SPD, Christoph Bergner and Dietmar Nietan wanted face forward the position there are more than ten years without mention of the word genocide.
In the common text they had made late last week, the word genocide was in the title. But after finalization by the heads of factions and the German Foreign Ministry, the controversial term has disappeared again.
Der Tagesspiegel newspaper according to the “apparently it is feared an affront to Turkey at an inopportune time. In June, there will be elections. Turkey is also a partner in the fight against the terrorist militia “Islamic state” (IS) that is necessary. “
MEPs will vote at their next group meeting on April 21 on the resolution. But it is likely that the term genocide will be used again in the preamble.
“Personally, I am disappointed that he seems to lack a critical point of courage, even to say what happened,” said the deputy Dietmar Nietan SPD. He does not think it useful to give in to pressure Turkey and the word genocide is not pronounced. Over the last ten years the debate has changed there Nietan said. “If the German Parliament called genocide openly, we can also strengthen those of civil society in Turkey working for a renewal.”
His colleague CDU Christoph Bergner is “that we should try to clarify the dimension that had events there 100 years clearly indicate them.”
The German Foreign Ministry, told the contrary, a culture of remembrance can not be prescribed “from outside and from above” as stated by the Minister of State for Europe, Michael Roth. She needs space and time to grow within the company.
“We welcome the fact that the endless suffering, expulsion and murder of Armenians in Turkey for many years are no longer a taboo and publicly criticized and is also discussed” said the politician of the SPD.
“It is important to contribute to the understanding and reconciliation between Armenians and Turks, which is why we continue to promote dialogue and exchange projects,” said Roth.
However, the chairman of the Green Party Cem Özdemir believes this is not enough. He criticized the federal government does not ready 100 years after the genocide, to name the genocide by name.
“The Federal Republic is the legal successor of the German Empire and therefore the closest ally of the Ottoman Empire in the responsibility,” he has said.
The debate is just beginning in Germany.
Stéphane © armenews.com