Armenian News... a Topalian...8 editorials

[Erdogan should follow his advice to others]

RFi, France

April 27 2019

'Be honest in politics': Erdogan rebukes Macron over Armenian genocide commemoration

 

In a scathing rebuke to President Macron, Armenia's President Recep Erdogan condemned yet again France's recognition of the Armenian genocide during the First World War. "Delivering a message to 700,000 Armenians who live in France will not save you, Monsieur Macron," Erdogan said during a political meeting.

 

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan upped his war of words Saturday with French counterpart Emmanuel Macron for creating a day of remembrance for the 1915 Armenian "genocide".

 

Macron decided in February to formally to mark the mass killings and forced deportations of Armenians by troops from the Ottoman Empire -- which preceded modern-day Turkey and sided with German and Austro-Hungary in World War I.

 

France on Wednesday held its first "national day of commemoration of the Armenian genocide".

Facing history

 

It was the first major European country to recognise the massacres as genocide in 2001 and Macron has said his decision on a commemoration is designed to show Paris "knows how to look history in the face".

 

But Erdogan, who has urged "political novice" Macron to "focus on massacres committed by French troops during the colonial era" on Saturday again denounced the idea.

 

"Delivering a message to 700,000 Armenians who live in France will not save you, Monsieur Macron," Erdogan told a gathering of his ruling party in Kizilcahamam, north of Ankara.

 

"Learn first to be honest in politics -- if you are not you cannot win," said Erdogan, adding he had told Macron his views several times face to face.

 

Turkey points to France's record in Algeria and Rwanda

 

Turkish officials have indicated France should look first at its own record, notably in Algeria and its role in the 1994 Rwandan genocide.

 

Rwanda's current government accuses Paris of being complicit in the atrocities committed by the majority Hutu community on minority Tutsis.

 

France has always denied the allegations and Macron announced the creation of a panel of historians and researchers earlier in April which will be tasked with investigating France's role.

 

France wants Armenian genocide to be recognised internationally

 

Some 30 countries and a number of historians recognise the 1915 massacre of between 1.2 and 1.5 million Armenians as genocide.

 

Ankara rejects the term, saying World War I brought countless fatalities on both sides against a further backdrop of famine and civil war.

 

Armenians commemorate the massacres on April 24 -- the day in 1915 when thousands of Armenian intellectuals suspected of harbouring nationalist sentiment and being hostile to Ottoman rule were rounded up.

 

the Paris commemoration, French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe declared France wanted to contribute to having the massacre internationally recognised as a crime against humanity.

 

He added Paris "will not be impressed by any lies" on the matter nad supported "historical accuracy and reconciliation".

 

En Son Hebar, Turkey

April 27 2019

Turkey slams Portuguese statement on events of 1915

In a statement released by the Turkish Foreign Ministry, the country condemned Portugal’s statement.

Turkey's Foreign Ministry on Saturday rejected the Portuguese Parliament's statement on the events of 1915.

"WE REJECT THE STATEMENT"

In a written statement, the ministry said: "We reject the statement of the Portuguese Parliament on April 26 over the events of 1915." "Such approaches which politicize history and disregard international law and European law can never be accepted," it said.

Turkey's position on the events of 1915 is that the deaths of Armenians in eastern Anatolia took place when some sided with invading Russians and revolted against Ottoman forces. A subsequent relocation of Armenians resulted in numerous casualties.

Turkey objects to the presentation of the incidents as "genocide" but describes the events of 1915 as a tragedy in which both sides suffered casualties. Ankara has repeatedly proposed the creation of a joint commission of historians from Turkey and Armenia plus international experts to tackle the issue.

Anadolu Agency , Turkey

April 24 2019

'Turks, Armenians can easily solve their differences'

by Vakkas Dogantekin 

Respect losses of both sides instead of focusing only on one, says Presidential Communications Director Altun

ANKARA

Turks and Armenians could resolve their differences if "imperialist powers" would stop interfering and using the so-called Armenian genocide as a tool of political leverage against Ankara, Turkey said on Wednesday.

"There are no issues Turks and Armenians who have lived together for 800 years could not solve by a real dialogue if only the imperial powers didn't politicize history and attempt to use the so-called Armenian genocide as a disciplinary tool against our country," Turkish Presidential Communications Director Fahrettin Altun said on Twitter.

He underlined that ignoring Turkey's initiatives for a solution on the events of 1915 along with unilateral non-binding decisions by third parties created difficulties for efforts to uncover the truth.

Altun reiterated that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's proposal to establish a joint historical commission in 2005 with Armenia was still on the table despite being rejected by Armenia.

Good will from Turkey

Altun cited the "historic" 2014 statement of condolence by then-Prime Minister Erdogan to Armenian communities around the world, which was published in nine languages including Armenian.

He added that Erdogan sends messages of "heartfelt" condolences to Turkey's Armenian patriarch and community every year as a goodwill gesture.

Altun said Turkey has repeatedly proved its "humanitarian approach and conscientious stance."

He also commemorated the Turkish diplomats who had been martyred by assassins of the Armenian terrorist organization ASALA across the world since 1970s.

The Armenian Secret Army for the Liberation of Armenia (ASALA) martyred 38 Turkish diplomats between 1975 to 1985, vanishing after 1988.

Many Turks today believe ASALA continues its existence within the ranks of another terror group, the PKK, which is recognized as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S., EU, NATO as well as dozens of other states.

Altun called for restraint and balance in the analysis of the events of 1915, calling on the international community to respect the loss and grievances of both sides instead of focusing one.

"There is no international court ruling, political consensus or academic agreement that defines the events of 1915 as genocide," Altun said.

Turkey's position on the events of 1915 is that the deaths of Armenians in eastern Anatolia took place when some sided with invading Russians and revolted against Ottoman forces. A subsequent relocation of Armenians resulted in numerous casualties.

Turkey objects to the presentation of these incidents as a "genocide", describing them as a tragedy in which both sides suffered casualties.

Ankara has repeatedly proposed the creation of a joint commission of historians from Turkey and Armenia as well aw international experts to tackle the issue.

Anadolu Agency , Turkey

April 24 2019

Turkey rebuffs Trump's statement on 1915 events

by Jeyhun Aliyev |

In his statement, US president again describes 1915 events as 'Meds Yeghern', or 'Great Crime'

Turkey Wednesday slammed the U.S. President Donald Trump over his statement on the 1915 events between Turkey and Armenia.

"We reject U.S. President Donald Trump's statement dated 24 April 2019 with regards to the events of 1915," the Foreign Ministry said in a written statement.

"The statement, based on the subjective narrative fictionalized by Armenians, is of no worth," the ministry said.

"Distortion of history for domestic political considerations can never be accepted," the statement read.

The ministry also called upon Trump to be fair by reminding "the pains of more than 500,000 Muslims slaughtered by Armenian rebels" during the same period.

The statement reiterated that Ankara still stands behind its proposal to establish a Joint History Commission -- a joint commission of historians from Turkey and Armenia, as well as international experts -- to shed light on all aspects of the events that took place 104 years ago.

"Radical Armenians, who want to ensure [that] their responsibilities in the events of 1915 are overlooked, do not show the courage to respond positively to this proposal," it added.

The ministry remembered Muslims, Christians, Jews, and all other Ottoman communities who lost their lives during the collapse of the Ottoman Empire with respect.

On Wednesday, Trump issued an annual commemoration of the 1915 events, again using the Armenian term "Meds Yeghern", or "Great Crime" to describe the tragedy.

Previous U.S. presidents have refrained from calling the deaths of Armenians "genocide," but former President Barack Obama adopted the Armenian phrase "Meds Yeghern", or "Great Crime", to describe the tragedy, a practice repeated by Trump.

"We welcome the efforts of Armenians and Turks to acknowledge and reckon with their painful history," Trump said. "And we stand with the Armenian people in recalling the lives lost during the Meds Yeghern and reaffirm our commitment to a more peaceful world."

Turkey's position on the events of 1915 is that the deaths of Armenians in eastern Anatolia took place when some sided with invading Russians and revolted against Ottoman forces. A subsequent relocation of Armenians resulted in numerous casualties.

Turkey objects to the presentation of these incidents as "genocide," describing them as a tragedy in which both sides suffered casualties.

BBC Monitoring Europe - Political

April 24, 2019 Wednesday

Turkish media offer low-key reports on anniversary of 1915 Armenian killings

 

Turkish media outlets offered low-key coverage on the anniversary of the 1915 mass killings of Ottoman Armenians on 24 April.

 

While the anniversary did not appear on the front pages of most newspapers, some pro-government outlets accused some Armenians of being members of outlawed Kurdish groups in Syria.

 

"Armenian barricades against Turkey," staunchly pro-government Yeni Safak newspaper said on its front page.

 

"Some Armenians, who describe themselves as the grandchildren of those who emigrated to Libya and Syria after the 1915 events, have mobilised" with the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) and its Syrian affiliate the Democratic Union Party (PYD), Yeni Safak added.

 

Hardline pro-government Yeni Akit newspaper condemned "Armenian savagery", saying "Armenians killed 700,000 Muslims" in 1915.

 

Islamist newspaper Milat newspaper accused western countries of "using the Armenian genocide claims as a tool to cover up their own history of genocide".

 

"Even the Armenians don't believe in the genocide lies," the paper added.

 

Ankara denies that the killings amounted to genocide, instead emphasising mass casualties on both sides during World War I and saying the deaths happened when Armenians "sided" with invading Russians.

 

Turkey-based Armenian newspaper Agos, which publishes a weekly edition in Turkish, commemorated the victims in 1915 on its front page on 19 April.

 

"Armenians in Anatolia have been waiting for justice for 104 years. Let's come to terms with this massive disaster and heal," Garo Paylan, an Armenian-origin MP for the pro-Kurdish Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP), said on Twitter.

 

Ali Duran Topuz, a columnist for the independent Gazete Duvar news website, linked the denial of the mass killings to polarisation in contemporary Turkish politics.

 

"The Committee of Union and Progress, which was in government in 1915 along with its progressivist and pro-west sides, is always condemned by government members. But when it comes to the genocide, [the 1915 government] suddenly becomes transformed into a pure and respected ancestor," Topuz added.

BBC Monitoring Europe - Political

April 24, 2019 Wednesday

Turkish social media discusses 'genocide' on anniversary of Armenian killings

 

Social media users in Turkey have discussed on 24 April the mass killings of Armenians under the Ottoman rule in 1915.

 

24 April marks the anniversary of the killings which Armenians describe as "genocide". Turkey denies this and says both sides suffered mass casualties during World War I.

 

"I apologise from the Armenians," was a prominent headline on popular debate forum Eksi Sozluk, receiving well over 300 comments. Readers discussed whether Turkey should apologise for the events of 1915. They also debated whether the events could be described as "genocide".

 

"I am not sure about what to apologise over," a user said, adding that he was not alive in 1915.

 

He also questioned whether the events could be described as genocide: "Genocide is a movement of systematic, ethnic cleansing. Were the Turks able to do anything in a systematic manner in history? I did not come across any worthwhile evidence of this when I looked at Turkish history... "

 

"There was a terrible war but there was no massacre," another user said.

 

"I am one of those [people] who think apologising is unnecessary. All the events in the past have seriously caused pain for both sides. It is unknown, which side came out with more damage but my observation is that Armenians and Turks were stronger when they were living together... This is because Armenian citizens were an important part of the country that dealt with trade..." one user commented.

 

Some were harsher in their responses and used a more nationalistic tone.

 

"I will be suspicious about the Turkishness of those who apologise," a user said.

 

"It is a ridicule I will never apologise for because I know many people from my family were killed by Armenians at that time and their children were left without a father," another Eksi Sozluk contributor said.

 

A limited number of people voiced support for the need to apologise.

 

"A campaign that all of Turkey should join," one Eksi Sozluk contributor said and criticised those who "were vomiting racism".

 

On Twitter, pro-Kurdish Peoples' Democratic Party's (HDP) Armenian MP Garo Paylan's post calling for the recognition of "genocide" drew attention.

 

"The Armenian Genocide began 104 years ago today. First, Armenian intellectuals and later all of Armenian people were massacred and exiled from their archaic lands. Anatolian Armenians have been waiting for justice for 104 years. Come on, let us face this mass disaster. Let us heal," Paylan (239,000 followers) said.

 

His post received a mixed response.

 

"I have not heard of Americans being condemned for eradicating Native Americans but [they are] trying to convict Turkey of a crime it did not commit, for other purposes... No one cares. A deputy who is foreign to Turkey became the spokesperson for an ill-intentioned lie", a user said in the replies.

 

"As a citizen from the Black Sea, I know that all the people in this country are our richness and the reality of Anatolia. I wish Armenians and Greeks [in Turkey] existed with their old population. I am sure we would have been a richer and civilised society. Congratulations on your struggle," another user replied.

 

Turkish media outlets were observed to offer low-key coverage on the anniversary on 24 April. 

 

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on 24 April that deportation of "Armenian gangs who massacred our Muslim community" and their supporters were "the most reasonable attitude" at the time. "Deportation and massacres are two different things, who are you deceiving?" he asked

Anadolu Agency , Turkey

April 24 2019

Turkey remembers Ottoman Armenians who died in WWI

by Enes Kaplan |

'With respect I commemorate the Ottoman Armenians who died in hard conditions during World War I,' says Turkish president

Turkey on Wednesday commemorated the Ottoman Armenians who died during the course of World War I.

"With respect I commemorate the Ottoman Armenians who died in hard conditions during World War I," Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said in a letter on Wednesday to Archbishop Aram Atesyan, general vicar of the Armenian Patriarchate of Turkey.

Erdogan said that peace, security, and happiness of Turkey's Armenian community are greatly important for Turkey.

Offering his condolences to the descendants of Ottoman Armenians who died in the war, Erdogan stated that the Armenian community has raised many valuable young people to contribute to Turkey's well-being.

He said that as free and equal citizens in Turkey, Armenian people have important roles in the country's social, political, and business life.

Erdogan said that Turkey aims to cement ties between ethnic Turks and Armenians, who have shared mutual pains and joy in history.

He stated that Turkey will continue to stand by Armenians to relieve their pains and solve their problems. "I believe the way to build a joint future can only be done by standing united and together," Erdogan said.

He warned Armenians against circles who want to poison this shared past by sowing hatred and hostility.

Turkey's position on the events of 1915 is that the deaths of Armenians in eastern Anatolia took place when some sided with invading Russians and revolted against Ottoman forces. A subsequent relocation of Armenians resulted in numerous casualties.

Turkey objects to the presentation of these incidents as a "genocide," describing them as a tragedy in which both sides suffered casualties.

Ankara has repeatedly proposed the creation of a joint commission of historians from Turkey and Armenia as well as international experts to tackle the issue.

* Writing by Can Erozden and Erdogan Cagatay Zontur

Lowell Sun (Massachusetts)

April 24, 2019 Wednesday

Another, off-base theory on divine intervention

 

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

 

 

As a compliment to Matthew Rowley's interesting reflection, "A Convenient Explanation: Was Notre Dame fire God's judgement?" (The Sun, April 21), let me share another recently proposed divine theory.

 

According to the conservative Turkish newspaper, Yeni Akit, whose recent headline boasts "The Famous Cathedral of France up in Flames. The Curse of Turkey is Fulfilled," the paper's editor associates the Notre Dame fire as (divine) revenge for France's recognition of the Armenian Genocide. The editor is referring to the 1915-23 Armenian Genocide, which was the systematic, state-sponsored extermination of 1.5 million Armenian men, women, and children by the Ottoman Turkish government, a genocide that the current Turkish government still denies to this very day.

 

Contrast this with the recent comment by former U.S. ambassador to Armenia, John Evans: "Today, as France and the entire world mourn the destruction by fire of Notre Dame de Paris, I am thinking of what the Armenians lost in terms of churches, some filled with priests and people, in the Armenian Genocide. Horrific!"

 

In 2004, John Evans was fired from his ambassadorial position because he unequivocably declared that the mass murder of the Armenians in Turkey during World War I was a genocide. This action was taken by the U.S. State Department to satisfy Turkey's protest that Evans insulted the reputation of the Turkish government.

 

ARA JEKNAVORIAN

 Armenian National Committee, Merrimack Valley