Armenian Genocide News
MEDIA ASK: WHAT NEXT FOR GENOCIDE VOTE?
BBC NEWS
2010/03/05 15:41:06 GMT
Armenian and Turkish media express a sense of deja vu over the vote
by a US congressional panel which described the killing of Armenians
during World War I as genocide.
But while Armenian expectations appear low, Turkish commentators speak
of a movie re-run and feel that the "genocide problem" will continue
to haunt the country unless something positive is done about Turkey's
relations with Armenia.
Armenian newspaper and TV reports present the vote as the result of a
"war" between competing lobbies, but some point out that the resolution
had previously received committee support without making the next,
critical step of being approved by the full House of Representatives.
Nothing new
"It is generally believed that the resolution approved yesterday
will have the fate of the previous ones. With the approval of this
document Washington merely makes an attempt to pressure Turkey into
ratifying the Armenian-Turkish protocols (on normalising relations),"
says Haykakan Zhamanak , a major Armenian daily.
The Armenian daily Aravot - in a piece headlined "Turks urged to
reconcile with history" - says: "The resolution was introduced in
the foreign relations committee of the House of Representatives three
times over the past 10 years and was approved - like yesterday."
In days leading up to the vote the media gave wide publicity to
campaigns by the Armenian lobby in the US.
And in a report on the successful outcome of the vote, the daily paper
Azg says: "Three Armenians who witnessed the Genocide, two women and
a 105-year-old man, were present in the House of Representatives
yesterday - to see and to feel how the US approaches the tragedy
they experienced."
Reaction in the Turkish press was mixed, with one commentator
suggesting Turkey should address the moral question behind the vote.
Others believed the irksome "genocide" issue could be eased by
diplomatic means.
Movie re-run
Ismet Berkan, writing in Turkey's Radical , said Turkey was in
the habit of threatening anyone who alleged genocide against the
Armenians. "But whether we like it or not," he said, "the subject
of the resolution is a moral one - we should provide a moral answer
to it. But no, we continue to withhold that answer. And we do this
knowing that this policy has not brought us anything."
Mehmet Ali Birand, said in Turkey's Posta that the vote was a
"rerun of the genocide movie" which "will constantly keep running at
theatres". He predicted that pressure on Turkey would mount, and that
it would therefore be best "if we are realistic and try to implement
the protocol with Armenia".
Another commentator, Ferai Tinc, writing in Turkey's Hurriyet,
concurred that the problem should be solved within the framework of
pursuing good relations with Armenia, adding that the issue would
escalate and damage Turkey's diplomatic ties. "And it will not end
even when the US approves the [genocide] claims because the issue
will be carried to the UN and other international platforms."
BBC Monitoring selects and translates news from radio, television,
press, news agencies and the internet from 150 countries in more
than 70 languages. It is based in Caversham, UK, and has several
bureaux abroad.
BBC NEWS
2010/03/05 15:41:06 GMT
Armenian and Turkish media express a sense of deja vu over the vote
by a US congressional panel which described the killing of Armenians
during World War I as genocide.
But while Armenian expectations appear low, Turkish commentators speak
of a movie re-run and feel that the "genocide problem" will continue
to haunt the country unless something positive is done about Turkey's
relations with Armenia.
Armenian newspaper and TV reports present the vote as the result of a
"war" between competing lobbies, but some point out that the resolution
had previously received committee support without making the next,
critical step of being approved by the full House of Representatives.
Nothing new
"It is generally believed that the resolution approved yesterday
will have the fate of the previous ones. With the approval of this
document Washington merely makes an attempt to pressure Turkey into
ratifying the Armenian-Turkish protocols (on normalising relations),"
says Haykakan Zhamanak , a major Armenian daily.
The Armenian daily Aravot - in a piece headlined "Turks urged to
reconcile with history" - says: "The resolution was introduced in
the foreign relations committee of the House of Representatives three
times over the past 10 years and was approved - like yesterday."
In days leading up to the vote the media gave wide publicity to
campaigns by the Armenian lobby in the US.
And in a report on the successful outcome of the vote, the daily paper
Azg says: "Three Armenians who witnessed the Genocide, two women and
a 105-year-old man, were present in the House of Representatives
yesterday - to see and to feel how the US approaches the tragedy
they experienced."
Reaction in the Turkish press was mixed, with one commentator
suggesting Turkey should address the moral question behind the vote.
Others believed the irksome "genocide" issue could be eased by
diplomatic means.
Movie re-run
Ismet Berkan, writing in Turkey's Radical , said Turkey was in
the habit of threatening anyone who alleged genocide against the
Armenians. "But whether we like it or not," he said, "the subject
of the resolution is a moral one - we should provide a moral answer
to it. But no, we continue to withhold that answer. And we do this
knowing that this policy has not brought us anything."
Mehmet Ali Birand, said in Turkey's Posta that the vote was a
"rerun of the genocide movie" which "will constantly keep running at
theatres". He predicted that pressure on Turkey would mount, and that
it would therefore be best "if we are realistic and try to implement
the protocol with Armenia".
Another commentator, Ferai Tinc, writing in Turkey's Hurriyet,
concurred that the problem should be solved within the framework of
pursuing good relations with Armenia, adding that the issue would
escalate and damage Turkey's diplomatic ties. "And it will not end
even when the US approves the [genocide] claims because the issue
will be carried to the UN and other international platforms."
BBC Monitoring selects and translates news from radio, television,
press, news agencies and the internet from 150 countries in more
than 70 languages. It is based in Caversham, UK, and has several
bureaux abroad.
CATALONIA PARLIAMENT RECOGNIZES THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE
armradio.am
05.03.2010 18:13
On the initiative of the members of Barcelona's Friendship Union
with Armenia, member of the Catalonian Parliament Maria Ross Fortuni
and Jose Samartin, the Parliament of Catalonia unilaterally passed a
decision on recognition of the Armenian Genocide, Press and Information
Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia reports.
TURKEY SUMMONS US ENVOY ON GENOCIDE VOTE
By Delphine Strauss
FT
March 5 2010 13:19
The US ambassador to Turkey was summoned to the foreign ministry on
Friday after a congressional panel approved describing the Ottoman-era
massacres of Armenians as genocide.
The non-binding resolution, passed in the foreign affairs committee on
Thursday by 23 votes to 22, will test US-Turkish relations at a time
when Washington is already at odds with Ankara - a Nato member and
crucial ally in the region - over its drive for sanctions against Iran.
EDITOR'S CHOICE Turkey recalls ambassador over US vote - Mar-05Vote
undermines Obama's Turkey strategy - Mar-05Analysis: Turkey - At
the garrison's gate - Mar-03US turns screw on Ankara over sanctions
- Feb-24US foreign policy has not made breakthroughs - Feb-07The
Turkish government, which has long warned that such a vote would harm
bilateral relations, has recalled its ambassador from Washington for
consultations, complaining that a last-minute plea by Hillary Clinton,
secretary of state, to stop the resolution was not forceful enough.
"We expect a more effective policy from the administration," Ahmet
Davutoglu, foreign minister, said on Friday, adding that Washington
had displayed "a lack of strategic vision".
He also said the vote could harm ongoing Turkish and Armenian efforts
at reconciliation, as Turkey "never took decisions under pressure".
The Turkish cabinet is set to assess the situation on Monday after
consultations with Namik Tan, the ambassador who will fly back from
Washington on Friday, Mr Davutoglu said.
Similar resolutions have passed a committee vote before without
ever being put to a full vote on the floor of Congress, and the US
administration is signalling the pattern may be repeated.
"We understand that there will be no decision in full Congress. We
are against any new Congress decision," Jim Jeffrey, US ambassador,
told reporters as he left the ministry in Ankara on Friday.
"I do not think it is for any other country to determine how two
countries resolve matters between them," Mrs Clinton said during a
Latin American tour on Thursday. "We do not believe that any action
by the Congress is appropriate and we oppose it." She added that
the administration did not believe the full House "will or should"
vote on the resolution.
However, Turkey's tough reaction reflects the difficulty it already
faces in salvaging an agreement with Armenia, signed last year after
mediation by Mrs Clinton, setting a timetable to restore diplomatic
ties and open their shared border.
There is fierce public opposition to the agreement in both countries,
and Ankara is refusing to ratify the protocols without progress in
the separate and intractable dispute between Armenia and Azerbaijan
over Armenian occupation of the disputed territory of Nagorno-Karabagh.
"Turkey will not be responsible for the negative results that may
stem from this vote in every area," Abdullah Gul, president, said in
a statement. Mr Davutoglu said it was too early to talk about specific
measures in retaliation against the vote.
Turkey denies the 1915 killings of some 1.5m Armenians constituted
genocide, saying many Turks also died in the chaos that engulfed the
disintegrating Ottoman empire, and that the interpretation of events
should be left to an international committee of historians.
Both the genocide debate and Nagorno-Karabakh stir nationalist
sensitivities in Turkey, where anti-US feeling runs high.
Analysts think the chances of the resolution reaching a vote on the
floor of Congress are still weak. Atilla Yesilada, of the consultancy
Global Source, warned that if it did proceed, the ruling Ak Party
"simply can't look weak in the face of such a great insult", as it
risked losing votes to nationalists before a possible referendum and
elections due in 2011.
The Armenian National Committee of America hailed the vote but said
the real test was a full House vote.
By Delphine Strauss
FT
March 5 2010 13:19
The US ambassador to Turkey was summoned to the foreign ministry on
Friday after a congressional panel approved describing the Ottoman-era
massacres of Armenians as genocide.
The non-binding resolution, passed in the foreign affairs committee on
Thursday by 23 votes to 22, will test US-Turkish relations at a time
when Washington is already at odds with Ankara - a Nato member and
crucial ally in the region - over its drive for sanctions against Iran.
EDITOR'S CHOICE Turkey recalls ambassador over US vote - Mar-05Vote
undermines Obama's Turkey strategy - Mar-05Analysis: Turkey - At
the garrison's gate - Mar-03US turns screw on Ankara over sanctions
- Feb-24US foreign policy has not made breakthroughs - Feb-07The
Turkish government, which has long warned that such a vote would harm
bilateral relations, has recalled its ambassador from Washington for
consultations, complaining that a last-minute plea by Hillary Clinton,
secretary of state, to stop the resolution was not forceful enough.
"We expect a more effective policy from the administration," Ahmet
Davutoglu, foreign minister, said on Friday, adding that Washington
had displayed "a lack of strategic vision".
He also said the vote could harm ongoing Turkish and Armenian efforts
at reconciliation, as Turkey "never took decisions under pressure".
The Turkish cabinet is set to assess the situation on Monday after
consultations with Namik Tan, the ambassador who will fly back from
Washington on Friday, Mr Davutoglu said.
Similar resolutions have passed a committee vote before without
ever being put to a full vote on the floor of Congress, and the US
administration is signalling the pattern may be repeated.
"We understand that there will be no decision in full Congress. We
are against any new Congress decision," Jim Jeffrey, US ambassador,
told reporters as he left the ministry in Ankara on Friday.
"I do not think it is for any other country to determine how two
countries resolve matters between them," Mrs Clinton said during a
Latin American tour on Thursday. "We do not believe that any action
by the Congress is appropriate and we oppose it." She added that
the administration did not believe the full House "will or should"
vote on the resolution.
However, Turkey's tough reaction reflects the difficulty it already
faces in salvaging an agreement with Armenia, signed last year after
mediation by Mrs Clinton, setting a timetable to restore diplomatic
ties and open their shared border.
There is fierce public opposition to the agreement in both countries,
and Ankara is refusing to ratify the protocols without progress in
the separate and intractable dispute between Armenia and Azerbaijan
over Armenian occupation of the disputed territory of Nagorno-Karabagh.
"Turkey will not be responsible for the negative results that may
stem from this vote in every area," Abdullah Gul, president, said in
a statement. Mr Davutoglu said it was too early to talk about specific
measures in retaliation against the vote.
Turkey denies the 1915 killings of some 1.5m Armenians constituted
genocide, saying many Turks also died in the chaos that engulfed the
disintegrating Ottoman empire, and that the interpretation of events
should be left to an international committee of historians.
Both the genocide debate and Nagorno-Karabakh stir nationalist
sensitivities in Turkey, where anti-US feeling runs high.
Analysts think the chances of the resolution reaching a vote on the
floor of Congress are still weak. Atilla Yesilada, of the consultancy
Global Source, warned that if it did proceed, the ruling Ak Party
"simply can't look weak in the face of such a great insult", as it
risked losing votes to nationalists before a possible referendum and
elections due in 2011.
The Armenian National Committee of America hailed the vote but said
the real test was a full House vote.
TURKEY WARNS US OVER ARMENIAN GENOCIDE VOTE
By Suzan Fraser
The Associated Press
March 5, 2010, 5:42AM
ANKARA, Turkey - Turkey warned the Obama administration on Friday of
negative diplomatic consequences if it doesn't impede a U.S. resolution
branding the World War I-era killing of Armenians genocide.
Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said Turkey, a key Muslim ally of
the U.S., would assess what measures it would take, adding that the
issue was a matter of "honor" for his country.
A U.S. congressional committee approved the measure Thursday. The
23-22 vote sends the measure to the full House of Representatives,
where prospects for passage are uncertain. Minutes after the vote,
Turkey withdrew its ambassador to the U.S.
Historians estimate that up to 1.5 million Armenians were killed by
Ottoman Turks around the time of World War I, an event widely viewed
by scholars as the first genocide of the 20th century. Turkey denies
that the deaths constituted genocide, saying the toll has been inflated
and those killed were victims of civil war and unrest.
President Barack Obama's administration had been silent about the
resolution until shortly before the vote when it said it opposed its
passage. Turkey wants stronger action to block the resolution.
"The picture shows that the U.S. administration did not put enough
weight behind the issue," Davutoglu told reporters. "We are seriously
disturbed by the result."
"We expect the U.S. administration to, as of now, display more
effective efforts. Otherwise the picture ahead will not be a
positive one," he said. He complained of a lack of "strategic vision"
in Washington.
The measure was approved at a time when Washington is expected to
press Turkey to back sanctions against Iran to be approved in the U.N.
Security Council, where Turkey currently holds a seat. Turkish
cooperation also is important to U.S. operations in Iraq and
Afghanistan.
Also at stake are defense contracts. Turkey is an important market for
U.S. defense companies, many of which had lobbied against the measure.
"We have had good cooperation with the U.S. administration at all
levels," Davutoglu said. "We would expect our contributions not to
be sacrificed to domestic political games."
Davutoglu said the U.S. ambassador had been called to the Foreign
Ministry for talks. The ambassador, James Jeffrey, told reporters
the Obama administration was opposed to the measure being voted in
the full House.
The foreign minister said Turkey was determined to press ahead with
efforts to normalize ties with Armenia, but said Turkey would not be
"pressured" into taking any decisions.
He added that the vote had put the ratification of agreements to
normalize ties with Armenia at risk.
Last year, Turkey and Armenia agreed to normalize ties by establishing
diplomatic relations and reopen their shared border, but the agreements
have yet to be approved by their parliaments.
Turkey has been dragging its feet, fearful of upsetting ally
Azerbaijan, which balks at any suggestion of the reopening of the
border until its own dispute with Armenia over Nagorno-Karabakh is
settled. The region in Azerbaijan has been under Armenian control.
Armenian-American groups have sought congressional affirmation of
the killings as genocide for decades and welcomed Thursday's vote.
The genocide issue is one of many obstacles to Turkey's membership
in the European Union. Turkey has been struggling to block similar
genocide bills in parliaments across the globe.
The U.S. congressional vote came at a time when relations with the
United States - strained by Turkey's refusal to allow its territory
to be used for the invasion of Iraq - had recently improved. Turkey
was the first Muslim country Obama visited after taking office.
Davutoglu expressed dismay at the voting process, which was televised
live in Turkey, in which the chairman of the committee extended the
voting session when the "no" were ahead and appeared to abruptly
close the session as soon as the "yes" votes had it.
"The lack of seriousness of the situation shows that such an issue
cannot be decided by parliaments," Davutoglu said, reiterating a
Turkish proposal for the establishment of committees of historians
to settle the issue.
Turkish politicians also criticized the vote.
Murat Mercan, a lawmaker from Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's
ruling party who traveled to Washington to lobby U.S. congress members,
said Obama intervened too late.
Sukru Elekdag, an opposition party lawmaker said the ratification of
agreements to normalize ties with Armenia was now uncertain.
"If (the agreements) come to the (Turkish) Foreign Affairs Committee
they may be rejected there," he said.
BRITISH HOUSE OF COMMONS INITIATES SECOND READING ON
By Suzan Fraser
The Associated Press
March 5, 2010, 5:42AM
ANKARA, Turkey - Turkey warned the Obama administration on Friday of
negative diplomatic consequences if it doesn't impede a U.S. resolution
branding the World War I-era killing of Armenians genocide.
Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said Turkey, a key Muslim ally of
the U.S., would assess what measures it would take, adding that the
issue was a matter of "honor" for his country.
A U.S. congressional committee approved the measure Thursday. The
23-22 vote sends the measure to the full House of Representatives,
where prospects for passage are uncertain. Minutes after the vote,
Turkey withdrew its ambassador to the U.S.
Historians estimate that up to 1.5 million Armenians were killed by
Ottoman Turks around the time of World War I, an event widely viewed
by scholars as the first genocide of the 20th century. Turkey denies
that the deaths constituted genocide, saying the toll has been inflated
and those killed were victims of civil war and unrest.
President Barack Obama's administration had been silent about the
resolution until shortly before the vote when it said it opposed its
passage. Turkey wants stronger action to block the resolution.
"The picture shows that the U.S. administration did not put enough
weight behind the issue," Davutoglu told reporters. "We are seriously
disturbed by the result."
"We expect the U.S. administration to, as of now, display more
effective efforts. Otherwise the picture ahead will not be a
positive one," he said. He complained of a lack of "strategic vision"
in Washington.
The measure was approved at a time when Washington is expected to
press Turkey to back sanctions against Iran to be approved in the U.N.
Security Council, where Turkey currently holds a seat. Turkish
cooperation also is important to U.S. operations in Iraq and
Afghanistan.
Also at stake are defense contracts. Turkey is an important market for
U.S. defense companies, many of which had lobbied against the measure.
"We have had good cooperation with the U.S. administration at all
levels," Davutoglu said. "We would expect our contributions not to
be sacrificed to domestic political games."
Davutoglu said the U.S. ambassador had been called to the Foreign
Ministry for talks. The ambassador, James Jeffrey, told reporters
the Obama administration was opposed to the measure being voted in
the full House.
The foreign minister said Turkey was determined to press ahead with
efforts to normalize ties with Armenia, but said Turkey would not be
"pressured" into taking any decisions.
He added that the vote had put the ratification of agreements to
normalize ties with Armenia at risk.
Last year, Turkey and Armenia agreed to normalize ties by establishing
diplomatic relations and reopen their shared border, but the agreements
have yet to be approved by their parliaments.
Turkey has been dragging its feet, fearful of upsetting ally
Azerbaijan, which balks at any suggestion of the reopening of the
border until its own dispute with Armenia over Nagorno-Karabakh is
settled. The region in Azerbaijan has been under Armenian control.
Armenian-American groups have sought congressional affirmation of
the killings as genocide for decades and welcomed Thursday's vote.
The genocide issue is one of many obstacles to Turkey's membership
in the European Union. Turkey has been struggling to block similar
genocide bills in parliaments across the globe.
The U.S. congressional vote came at a time when relations with the
United States - strained by Turkey's refusal to allow its territory
to be used for the invasion of Iraq - had recently improved. Turkey
was the first Muslim country Obama visited after taking office.
Davutoglu expressed dismay at the voting process, which was televised
live in Turkey, in which the chairman of the committee extended the
voting session when the "no" were ahead and appeared to abruptly
close the session as soon as the "yes" votes had it.
"The lack of seriousness of the situation shows that such an issue
cannot be decided by parliaments," Davutoglu said, reiterating a
Turkish proposal for the establishment of committees of historians
to settle the issue.
Turkish politicians also criticized the vote.
Murat Mercan, a lawmaker from Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's
ruling party who traveled to Washington to lobby U.S. congress members,
said Obama intervened too late.
Sukru Elekdag, an opposition party lawmaker said the ratification of
agreements to normalize ties with Armenia was now uncertain.
"If (the agreements) come to the (Turkish) Foreign Affairs Committee
they may be rejected there," he said.
BRITISH HOUSE OF COMMONS INITIATES SECOND READING ON
ARMENIAN GENOCIDE REMEMBRANCE DAY BILL APRIL 30
Panorama.am
18:00 04/03/2010
Politics
The British House of Commons initiated discussions on the Armenian
Genocide Remembrance Day bill introduced in the Commons in January;
the bill is to be read a second time on Friday 30 April, Anka reported.
The bill has been presented to the House of Commons by Labour MP
Andrew Dismore January 6, while the House scheduled a second reading
of the bill April 30.
To become a law, the bill should be approved by the House of Lords
and deserve Queen's approval. Note that the British authorities have
not recognized the Armenian Genocide yet.
Panorama.am
18:00 04/03/2010
Politics
The British House of Commons initiated discussions on the Armenian
Genocide Remembrance Day bill introduced in the Commons in January;
the bill is to be read a second time on Friday 30 April, Anka reported.
The bill has been presented to the House of Commons by Labour MP
Andrew Dismore January 6, while the House scheduled a second reading
of the bill April 30.
To become a law, the bill should be approved by the House of Lords
and deserve Queen's approval. Note that the British authorities have
not recognized the Armenian Genocide yet.
Expatica France
March 4 2010
A French insurance firm has paid compensation to descendants of
Armenians massacred in World War I based on life insurance policies
taken at the time, a community group said Thursday.
Thousands of families applied for compensation through policies
that their Armenian ancestors bought under the Ottoman Empire from
companies that were later taken over by the French firm, Axa.
Hilda Tchoboian, the head of an Armenian association in the French city
of Lyon, told AFP that Axa had agreed to pay nearly 1,000 Armenian,
French and American families, and had started sending cheques of
about 8,000 euros each.
Armenians say up to 1.5 million of their kin were systematically
killed between 1915 and 1917 as the Ottoman Empire, the predecessor
of modern Turkey, was falling apart.
Several countries, including France and Canada, have branded it
a genocide.
Turkey rejects the genocide label and argues that 300,000-500,000
Armenians and at least as many Turks died in civil strife when
Christian Armenians took up arms against their Ottoman rulers and
sided with invading Russian troops.
Axa is the second insurance company to pay compensation to descendants
of massacred Armenians. US company New York Life agreed in 2005 to
pay 12 million dollars (8.8 million euros) to victims' heirs.
No comments:
Post a Comment