On December 11 in Yerevan during the presentation of his book “Armenian Genocide in 1915,” translated from Turkish into Armenian Hasan Cemal, the grandson of Cemal (Cemal) Pasha one of the organizers of the Armenian Genocide was the subject a scandal. The Armenian translator Roupen Melkonian had accused Hasan Cemal for asking -with the help of the editor Hrant Foundation Dink- the withdrawal of several passages in the original book in Turkish. In these passages including Hasan Cemal criticized “ASALA terrorist organization” and referred to “the occupation by Armenia of Azerbaijani territories.” These revelations during the public presentation Hasan Cemal’s book had the effect of a scandal, which led the author and journalist Hasan Cemal to cancel its upcoming appointments presentation of the book in diaspora.
In an interview with our fellow Armenian Tert.am, Yervant Dink, brother of Hrant Dink says it is worried about the life of Hasan Cemal whose head was a price by the Turks military. “Turkish armed groups,” Tchétiénner “have already decided the fate of Hasan Cemal. There is an atmosphere of fear around his scheduled murder and now his life is in danger, “said Yervant Dink. For passages removed his Armenian version of the book by Hasan Cemal, Yervant Dink evokes a translator handling and minimizes About Hasan Cemal. “He has already stated that it may also be wrong about certain facts or matters as it holds not the absolute truth, “said Yervant Dink about Hasan Cemal.” This book of Hasan Cemal on the Armenian genocide is not written for Armenians, it is primarily the 80 million people in Turkey. The Armenian player knows the reality of the Armenian genocide (…) we want that in Turkey the distribution of this book reaches the million copies. “Said the brother of Hrant Dink.
“In Turkey, Hasan Cemal is recognized as a great editor and writer. Of the 80 million people of Turkey at least 60 million know. Hasan Cemal not only expressed his views on the Armenian genocide, but also on other issues such as Kurdish southeast of Turkey or the question of the Alevis. The Kurdish question is now the subject of negotiations, Hasan Cemal was one of the architects of this dialogue. Feel its influence in Turkey! “Continues Yervant Dink.
He continues, “In Turkey there are some hidden nationalist forces, armed groups that specifically act to a national goal. They have already decided the fate of Hasan Cemal. The risk of his assassination is present. His life is in danger. Its position in favor of national minorities are not appreciated by those nationalist forces. Hasan Cemal has often opposed the armed force, the force of power, and Turkey there is a strong personality who faces these forces. The life of this man is also at risk for bringing to light the issue of the Armenian genocide … but I see that in Armenian, there is no information about it … (…) I see now some groups in Armenia want to dirty the name of Hasan Cemal. This is also the case in Turkey, where for example the Talaat Pasha Committee carries a serious hatred against Hasan Cemal. And now this man fell into the fire! Turkey now we fear for his life. “Yervant Dink continues,” If I speak in Turkey of the Armenian genocide, the Turks say that I am Armenian, and my words will not be heard strongly. But the word of a man like Hasan Cemal will be much heard and reach faster the ear of government. Our claim is field in Turkey is in Turkey that we must be active. »
Finally, on the issue of recognition of the Armenian Genocide Hasan Cemal, Yervant Dink concludes, “Hasan Cemal said when he was in Armenia” I am a man, I am not a government official, but if I were, I would recognize the Armenian genocide and ask forgiveness to the Armenians. And whether to raise the issue of compensation should also address and achieve. “ What should he say even stronger Hasan Cemal? The grandson of Cemal Pasha said that there was genocide, we do not say that this statement is sufficient. Myself for this book Hasan Cemal I have criticisms and I’m fifty questions. “
Krikor Amirzayan