Mouradian: Turkish Officials to Attend Genocide Commemorations?
By Khatchig Mouradian // Posted on February 8, 2011 in Opinion // 331 Comments // 
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When it comes to making grand statements, leave it to the Turkish government.
According to a report by the newspaper Sabah, Ankara announced this week that it will be taking part in April 24th commemorations this year in an effort to overcome psychological barriers between Armenia and Turkey, and engage in dialogue with the Armenian Diaspora.
If you are asking why a government that spends millions of dollars and goes out on a limb in denying the Armenian Genocide would take part in events commemorating it, look at the calendar.
It’s that time of the year again.
As April 24th approaches, Ankara is anxious to guarantee that President Obama, in his annual “Armenian Remembrance Day” statement, will not refer to the destruction of the Armenians in Ottoman Turkey in 1915 as “genocide.”
Washington, in turn, would like to present excuses that justify Obama’s decision to break his campaign promise to properly recognize the genocide.
During the past two years, Obama justified his decision by referring to “the efforts by Turkey and Armenia to normalize their bilateral relations.” Now that the Turkey-Armenia “normalization” process has been stalled—by the Turkish Grand National Assembly’s failure to ratify the Turkish-Armenian protocols—Washington needs a fresh excuse.
And Ankara feels the pressure to provide one.
Hence the Turkish government’s announcement, which promises to take up a line or two in the “I salute,” “I commend,” and “I support” section of Obama’s Remembrance Day statement.
On the other hand, the Turkish government will not have sacrificed much. An official’s visit to the Armenian Genocide Memorial in Yerevan, for example, does not mean the visitor’s country acknowledges the Armenian Genocide. The U.S. ambassador to Armenia and even U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton herself have visited the site, although the U.S. maintains a policy of not reaffirming the genocide.
I doubt, however, that the Turkish government will send officials to lay wreaths at Armenian Genocide memorials. The ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party is locked in a struggle for votes, and the pressure from its rank and file and competing parties might force it to abandon the plan.
Instead of insulting the memory of genocide survivors and selling it to the world as progress, the Turkish government can perhaps begin with removing genocide denial material from its websites. The Turkish Foreign Ministry’s page, for example, features a “Q&A” section denying the genocide and stressing that “Turkey is the only country, where the events of 1915 can be discussed in a free manner.” (I kid you not.)
Ankara’s annual “let’s pretend to be busy doing something constructive” festival is in full swing already. Stay tuned!
Related Articles:
Mouradian: Despite Obstacles, Armenian Genocide Commemorations Held in Turkey
Sassounian: Turkish Officials Admit to Playing Games with Protocols
Mouradian: Meeting with Turkish President Gul: Dispatches from Turkey (Part III)
Mouradian to Speak at Rutgers on ‘Genocide in Modern Turkish Consciousness’
Boyajian…Turkey’s official stance has not moved one iota of an inch on the fundamental issue of recognizing the genocide. It makes no difference when the effort began…the results are non-existent. The topic of Khachig’s article is the rumor that some unnamed Turkish officials might attend 1915 commemoration events. If they do, all the better, as I think it will help to drive home the message of truth. And, as you say, little by little, we can hope for things to change. The reason for putting out a plea for new and unorthodox ideas on this topic is really to challenge people into thinking about alternatives that might produce a different result. In every conflict or disagreement between two or more people, the best way to resolve the differences is to sit down and talk with each other. I’ve yet to see that happen specifically on the genocide. If we believe we are right and possess the ‘truth’, then why not take the opportunity to educate – up front and in person – those whom we seek to bring the light? That’s why the idea that Turkish government officials attending a 1915 commemorative are important…it could help to change the dynamic, it could help to open the door to discussion and open the minds of those who up until now have been closed. But, rather than just waiting to see if they attend, why can’t President Sarkisyan issue a formal invitation to them? Ask them to attend….put them on the spot. This is part of their history as well, even if they don’t see it as we see it. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
I just don’t see it your way, Karekin. I think Hai Tahd has produced results that are affecting Turkish society and world opinion and will eventually lead to a just resolution of the Armenian Question. I don’t see it as a failure, but a success in the making. Any negative reaction from Turks in response to our efforts are just par for the course. It is natural for Turks to find our truth abhorrent. The crimes of their forefathers are abhorrent and hard to accept. But despite this, more and more Turks are accepting it. Their resistance doesn’t mean that we are using the wrong tactics. In America, most whites had negative responses to the demands of the civil rights movement and denigrated those who fought for it. Yet, eventually changes began to happen and attitudes have been altered to the point that a black man has become our president. This did not happen overnight.
At the same time I agree with you that different approaches should also be pursued. All possible approaches should be tried! Let Turks come to the April 24th Commemorations. Let Armenia extend the invitation. Let Turkey deal with world criticism if it chooses to refuse. Let it receive praise if it chooses to come with a sincere gesture of compassion. Let Armenia apologize to no one for pursuing justice in all ways possible. And you can hug as many Turks as will let you.
Part of the problem I have with the way you present your position is that your criticism and/or judgment of success is so simplistic (e.g.: ”Since Turkey still denies the genocide, we have failed.”) This approach doesn’t take into account the complex layers of the problem. First of all, the near extinction of the Armenians and the subsequent take-over by communists left Armenia severely handicapped in the pursuit of justice. Further, the diaspora communities took decades to heal and regroup into organizations capable of political action. At the same time Turkey reinvented itself into a modern, secular nation after the genocide and purposely separated itself from its Ottoman failures. Ataturk attempted to finish off what was left of the Armenians and proceeded to force Turkification on the people. A false Turkish identity was created based on a manufactured history and force-fed to the people who were subsequently denied the truth about their history. And don’t forget the ever-changing geopolitical agendas that easily ignore the needs of our little nation and its “little problem.” Is it really a wonder that we are fighting an uphill battle?
By the way, the “boulder of denial” is still sitting in my yard and you and any of your Turkish friends who are willing, are invited to come over with your pick axes to help me break it up and dispose of its pieces. I will start the barbecue.
Boyajian.. Genious.. excellent post my dear.. excellent… well done…
I am glad you broke it down for Karekin and all the Turks who are reading these posts…
Hopefully they will be smart enough or capable of obsorbing and retaining information in their occupied heads…
I will bring the paxlava…:)
G
As much as I’d like to agree with all your points, Boyajian, I can’t, primarily because the facts on the ground won’t let me. While there is a place for those who want to act like Armenian fundamentalist cheerleaders, rah-rah-rah, the lack of serious, self-critical thinking is holding us back from honestly acknowledging what’s really going on and cannot be ignored. Yes, we have an amazing history and have had a good number of hurdles to overcome during the last 90 years. But today we have an azad Hayastan that we should all support. At the same time, think of what’s happened there. Yes, there is some good going on, I’d grant you that much, and I support it. But, at the same time you can read about all the other crises in the Weekly and many of the other Armenian newspapers and media outlets. Let’s look at a few. Day by day, the infrastructure is being sold to outsiders (Russians); the lack of jobs has caused entire villages to empty out; the population has dropped by one third since independence, thousands have left for good paying jobs in Turkey and Russia; there is rampant abuse in the military; orphans, the poor and the elderly are often living in desperate conditions. Let’s add to it that Karabagh still is not recognized by Armenia nor has it been reunited with Armenia as it should be; and is losing population as well; that Azerbaijan was able to destroy the cemetary and khatchkars at Julfa, there is no chance whatsoever of ever recovering Nakhichevan. So while there are positive developments as well, and those in the diaspora are doing exceptionally well, our successes on the issue of Turkey and the genocide are really very limited. Yes, some noted figures in Turkey are beginning to articulate the truth, but the govt has not budged on 301. Yes, 30,000 people signed the apology letter, but none of those people were in positions of power. The border still has not been opened. Yes, parliaments around the world acknowledge the genocide, but the key country – Turkey – has not. There comes a time when we cannot continue to blame everyone else for every problem that exists in Armenian society. We need to take responsibility some at least some of them and evaluate ourselves as critically as we evaluate others. If we are going to hold others up to a very high standard, we need to do the same for ourselves. So, when we fall short – on something as key as genocide recognition – we need to intelligently evaluate how and why that’s not happening as we’d like it to. Yes, a good degree of the problem lies on the Turkish side, but not all of it. We have to take responsibility for at least some of this failure because that’s the only part we can control or influence with any degree of certainty. So, once again, the boulder sits in the yard…and we can’t expect anyone else to move it for us or blame them when it doesn’t go anywhere. We are solely responsible and if it doesn’t get moved from point A to point B…it is our fault and it is up to us to fix it ourselves. No more excuses.
In one breath Karekin makes use of the expression ‘azad Hayastan’, then in the next lists all the ways it is truly ailing and urgently in need of our help (if we would just chuck the ‘rah-rah-rah’ about the Genocide long enough to do so, as if that is just another, unrelated problem). How ‘azad’ is that?
to all the peolple that contribute to these posts. you all must have lots of time to participate. on our side the Armenian side everything seems to be well documented and the research is bang on. as was mentioned before us Armenians are blessed with an overabondance of a virtue called ‘patience’ unfortunately we have to use it against these illiterate turks. my point is shouldn’t everything be tabulated and files made up to be used in the future. i believe all your points are really well taken, so well as a matter of fact, that you leave the turks in the gutter. but again, all these facts are already and have been open reading for years and years, as the turk mentions we should find new avenues. instead of continuing this dialogue which is not getting us anywhere. everytime i read these posts, it sadly reminds me of the massacre of my great, great grandparents by these dirty animals.
put everything in a book and send the book to obama, before april 24 2011. maybe he’ll use the word GENOCIDE this time, instead of listening to the turks and their lobby in washington.
regards
gerard
Mr. Paraghamian:
Some posters probably have more time than others, but I think the more important thing is that people care to be involved: we need more from the Armenian community worldwide to participate in all things Armenian: unfortunately not nearly enough do.
It doesn’t really take that much time: only the desire. And we owe it to our forebears, particularly the ones that paid the ultimate price - most recently in Artsakh- so that rest of us can live as we choose – Armenian, Christian - and not be forced to become something we don’t want:
Your suggestion about a centralized database of facts and figures is a good one.
There are lots Armenian (e.g. http://www.armeniapedia.org) and non-Armenian sites (e.g. Wikipedia). But, they seem to have bits and pieces.
And finally: I object when Turk posters use lower case for ‘armenian’, so I will also object when Armenian posters use lower case for ‘turk’ (and ‘obama’): I believe it diminishes our moral superiority.
(sometimes people just type all lower case. however when there is deliberate mixing, then it was purposely done)
The point is that the 100th anniversary is just a few years away. Now is the time to make bold moves, even unexpected ones, and take some intelligent risks, rather than continue as we have, because none of us wants to see 2015 pass by without seeing a major achievement on the issue of the genocide. This moment cannot be lost! How can that message be stressed? Our ‘leaders’ have not gotten what we need and want, have they? So why defend their every move as if they are sacrosanct? Can we be critical of ourselves when we fail? Now, if you’re content with the way things have gone thus far…with the genocide being casually brushed aside by the US, Turkey and others, fine, stick with the status quo and nothing will change much. Tha way, you’ll ensure that the next 100 years will be even more painful than the last. It is often said, ‘if there is no pain, there is no gain’. Even if it might seem painful now, our demands should be focused on OUR leaders to take the crucial steps necessary – right now. This is not the time to be polite or to defend those who hold ceremonial positions in our community, particularly if they are not doing the job well or even well enough. These people cruise along, get applause at events and hold high offices yet don’t deliver very much in terms of real results. It is time to hold their feet to the fire, because this is a once in a century, truly – once in a lifetime event that is coming to pass. So, I am pleading with you not to let them get away with doing the same old thing yet again, so we end up the same old, unsatisfying result. That would be truly tragic. To defend them now rather than to push them to new, bold action will only help us to lose this momentous opportunity – something I’m sure none of you want to see or experience. After the fact, it will be too late. Now is the time, folks.
Karekin.. surprisingly your last comment was not as bad as the rest of your comments… it made sense… even though it is just one comment out of slew of comments that were weird, rude and made NO sense whats so ever.
I personally never ever praised our current govt … not even once… i hate and very unhappy about it because i never want to put down my own but our govt truly does not know how to run a country and it is a obstacle instead of a solution to many problems.. and one beingnot standing firm or putting his feet down on the recognition and reperation of Genocide…we are not even going to get into other things that they are not firm and strong about..
April 24th is approaching… I just hope our govt step it up and our leadership to use any tactic that Turkey is churning in their hell hole and use it against them.. it is time to think and act a bit more aggressive.
Gayane, this has been my point all along. As I said before, we are on the same team and have the same goals. The difference is on how to get there. More than anything, by 2015, the genocide needs to be discussed and recogniized outside the Armenian community, but especially within the Turkish community. This cannot remain an internal Armenian event forever. If that’s the outcome, we will all be to blame and very sad, too. If that is not clear, I’m not sure how to convey the importance of this upcoming anniversary. And, it is not just important for Armenians…it is a huge part of Turkish history, as well. In that they eliminated 25% of their native population with a policy of genocide, they need to be involved and asked to repent and apologize. Armenians have been a part of Turkish history ever since the first Seljuk stepped foot in Armenia a thousand years ago, and Armenians contributed and shared their knowledge, expertise and culture with the invaders and helped to make them successful and powerful. The elimination of Armenians from Turkey after being there since before Turks arrived, was easily one of the worst historical events to ever take place in Turkey, so they should join with us in any commemoration of the victims. They should recognize this, but if not, we have an obligation to include them, painful as it might be on both sides, and work to educate them. This is where our ‘leaders’ need to take ownership and bold initiatives, unlike anything that has been done in the past. This could and should be a very powerful, amazing time for Armenians. Our genocide museum should open in Washington, DC without fail, and every Turkish diplomat and official should be invited to attend. In that they were the responsible party, they should absolutely be asked to mourn and commemorate with us. If they refuse, then even more shame will be on them.
“Genocide recognition cannot remain an internal Armenian event forever.” Wake up, it has long ago become an international event due to the grandiose efforts of Hye Tahd.
“Armenians have been a part of Turkish history ever since the first Seljuk stepped foot in Armenia a thousand years ago…” Chronologically, it is the new-comer Seljuk Turks who have become a (gruesome) part of more ancient Armenian history, and not the other way round.
“We have an obligation to include them [Turks]… and work to educate them.” For the thousandth time: how technically? With population ration 73:10 (in millions), borders with Armenia closed by Turkey, and Article 301 of the Penal Code that can prosecute anyone on the Turkish soil who’d dare to speak the truth about the Armenian genocide and genocides of other indigenous Christian peoples inhabiting Asia Minor long before the appearance of the Turks?
Where there is a will, there is a way.
Post your unsubstantiated advice in a Turkish forum for a change… After all, it was not the Armenians who brought calamity on the heads of “poor”, “compassionate”, and “human life-valuing” Turks.
At some point, you all need to stop all the petty bickering over insignificant minutiae and think of the bigger picture, i.e. 2015. Again…sometimes this forum seems just like Siamese fighting fish in a small bowl. Get over yourselves…! If you didn’t notice, Spain rejected acknowledgement of the genocide. Why? My guess is that this is because above all, it is an Armenian-Turkish issue…not a Spanish issue. Like it or not, Armenian leaders will have to sit down w/ Turkish leaders at some point to work this out. As they say, either you’re part of the solution or you’re a part of the problem. What do you want to be?
Bigger pictures don’t happen out of the blue. It is the “insignificant minutiae,” that are in fact very significant, that ultimately shape the bigger picture. It is my and many other posters’ individual duty to confront anyone who denies, belittles, or self-depreciates himself on the issue of Turkey’s obligation to recognize the Armenian genocide. If you didn’t notice, Sweden, too, at first rejected acknowledgement of the genocide, and then adopted a resolution recognizing it. Why? Because in contrast to you, and you’re clearly in a petty minority, nations of the world realize that a crime against humanity, by definition, cannot be a strictly bilateral Armenian-Turkish issue. Otherwise, no term genocide would have been coined based on the study of Armenian and Jewish cases, and no subsequent UN Convention on Genocide Prevention would have been adopted. Like it or not, it is the Turkish leaders who will have to sit down with Armenian leaders at some point to work out the modalities of recognition, because the crime was committed by their ancestors, not Armenians. I am a part of such a solution. Did you make up your mind as to what side will you be on?
to karakin-
i have been advised to use capital letters on all proper names. i will do so reluntantly.
Karakin, you say that Spain did not accept the word Genocide because they believed that it was an Armenian / Turkish problem. imagine if that was said about the holocaust, the uproar this would have caused around the world. you must be a bear, you are hiberanting.
at some point you must wake up….. and sign off.
gerard
Ummm Yeah Karekin… now you are dead wrong in this.. Genocide is not just Armenian/Turkish matter.. It is universal… Genocide does not relate just to us, it is a problem to face for all humanity.. this is a global problem… Karo already explained to you in great detail…
Ehhhhhhhhhhhh.. shat dzvara qo het deal anela…
Ches haskanum…
G
We all get excited and upbeat when a govt acknowledges the genocide. I get that. But then everyone becomes angry and freaked out by those who don’t. I get that, as well. Of all places, Israel should have been the first, but that hasn’t happened. The US, with a million or so Armenian taxpayers and with it’s history on offering help (via Near East Relief), should also be at the top of the list, but they are not. How come folks? Virtually every book published on the genocide is in English, so it should be a slam dunk. We have to ask why, rather than belittle those who ask because someone doesn’t want to take the time to investigate the answer. As I’ve said before, maybe we’re doing something wrong? As I said…maybe. The world is a network….a giant web of connections. Turkey is not an isolated island, but then neither is Armenia. The idea seems to be that if you pull at one strand somewhere in the world, it will cause a movement somewhere else in the web, because that’s how things work. The flaw in this belief is that it will also benefit Armenia/Armenians, because they are also part of the human/world web, but thus far, there is no clear, documented evidence of this. The (positive) changes taking place within Turkey as of late have come about as a result of a new govt that we have no control over. In other words, we have an opening to work with a group of people within Turkey, who, for the first time in living memory, seem to have a much more accepting attitude towards Armenians than any of the right wing, fascist, military ultranationalists of the past 90 years. This is a huge game changer, whether you’ve noticed or not. Armenians in Turkey are, little by little, emerging from decades of hiding under the camouflage of Islam and a Turkish surname to begin the process of reintegrating and reclaiming their heritage. Please don’t underestimate what is going on there or discount its importance. That’s where it matter most. Yes, keep the bigger picture in focus (recognition, acknowledgement, reparations), but support and encourage anything that helps push the ball in that direction, no matter how small. Rome was not built in a day. Neither will this.
“It is my and many other posters’ individual duty to confront anyone who denies, belittles, or self-depreciates himself on the issue of Turkey’s obligation to recognize the Armenian genocide.”
I enthusiastically and emphatically second Karo’s statement.
They must be confronted everywhere and every time.
Mr. Paraghamian:
thanks and regards.
I agree that we should make it a goal to achieve genocide recognition in Turkey and the completion of the Genocide Museum in Washington, D.C. by 2015; sooner if possible. It would be a shame for 100 years to pass without this accomplishment. But at the same time, the century mark is just a number; one more than ninety-nine and one less than one hundred and one. A rallying point. No matter the years it takes, we can never stop fighting for justice. We can’t allow discouragement to overcome us. Genocide cannot go unpunished. This was the whole point of Lemkin’s work to define and name this crime.
AMEN to that Boyajian.. I don’t care how many years is gone.. I will finght till the end and rest assure my children and children’s children will continue this fight.. I hope it does not last that long but IF it does, we will have an army of our young generation that will continue our fight..
G
Boyajian….’a shame’? Come on….it would be much worse than that if 2015 came and went without reaching these goals. From that point on, the law of diminishing returns would take its toll. If it’s tough now to muster support around the world, it will be even tougher then. That’s why that cannot be allowed to come to pass. Some other groups insist on multiple anniversaries each year for any event that helped create their disaster, genocide or holocaust. We celebrate once. So, 2015 is a key date for Armenian history. It cannot be treated lightly or in a cavalier manner, as if, manana, manana…it will happen and be ok. It won’t – and I suspect you know that. And once again, if we don’t embrace the significance this anniversary and force our ‘leaders’ to do everything they can now to push for Turkish recognition, it will be our own fault. Remember, Turkey is literally the only place on the planet where the genocide is verbotten. That’s where the epicenter of change must be. We know the story. The world knows the story, but in the place where it happened, they don’t. That’s the change that must happen. Dictating to them from outside isn’t working, so why not include them, educate them and expand their understanding….because this isn’t just about Armenian history alone. It did not happen in isolation. As you know, Turks were intimately involved in the genocide and still are, whether we like it or not, and they will be instrumental to reaching our goals, whether we like it or not.
to karekin- re: your post dated march14/11
1) israel has no interest in anything except israel.
2) washington wants to… and will recognize the genocide once turkey runs out of money to pay the lobbyists spreading false information and lies year after year, specially before april 24.
gerard
I agree with Karekin’s sense of urgency and the idea that our community, organizational, national and spiritual leaders must hear this urgency and take appropriate action on the cause of genocide recognition by 2015. But why not 2011 or 2012 or 2013…? The sooner the better, for sure. I think this is what we all want. In any case, the struggle should go on until we achieve our goal in Turkey and around the world.
Well Karekin.. i agree with the urgency and that is what we are working on.. You also say we need to educate and create the change from within..and win ordinary Turks over.. well we do that as well.. One small but excellent example would be when Karo provided a detailed, well thought out, and excellent information and data Elif or whatever the name was of the Turk on this discussion who spoke big words but could not keep up his end of the bargain.. he preached the same thing.. it needs to start from within one by one… yet he could not be the first to start the process by acknowledging and apologizing himself…. so how much effort can one put to educate and make them understand? and should this burden be all on Armenians shoulders?
Who knows… but as Boyajian said we will continue our fight no matter how long it takes…
G
CORRECTION********
The name of the Turk who pretended to be someone intelligent but yet backed up as we suspected was Zeki……
Elif is a Turk who actually is DIFFERENT than anyone we encountered here.. He is someone who understands and acknoweldges that the Genocide happened… This is an absolute breeze of fresh air among such people like Robert, Murat, Ahmet and Zeki and alike…
G
To all our writers
We should have a
new Armenian-American Flag to say,
44 out of 50 states recognized the Genocide
That’s more than 88%
Thus, can any one tell me
which are the states they didn’t recognise yet?
Statistics are more important than many hard reading articles.
FUll-STOP
Sylva
I agree Gayane, but as I’ve said all along, I support the goal 1000%, but disagree with how we are to get there, because I see current approaches as ineffective. Saying ‘as long as it takes’ gives everyone alot of leeway, but as you know, if you’re heading to any goal, say Chicago, you typically want to get there in a certain amount of time. Yes, Chicago will always exist and isn’t going anywhere, but if you get sidetracked and distracted along the way, have too many coffee stops and too many arguments, there’s a good chance you might never get there. Chicago will still be there, but you won’t be in Chicago. I categorically do not want to see that happen regarding 2015, but there is that danger lurking all over the place. This is why I think everyone needs to urge every ‘leader’ in our community to pay attention now, not later, to the importance of this date. This is not the time to dilly-dally. Has anyone heard of a committee in any community that has been formed for the centennial memorial and recognition of 1915 yet? I haven’t. Words matter, but so does timing. There is no time like the present to get this started in a formal way, as there is alot to do.
Latest information from Armenian news…
The real number of the Armenian inhabitants in Turkey. The Turkish Government conceived rather later that Jusuf Halajoghlu actually was implementing not only anti-Armenian advocating, but also an anti-Turkish. In this case he immediately was relieved of the Turkish History Institute director’s post. So what was the anti-Turkish in Halajoghlu’s statements? Halajoghlu didn’t accept the Genocide, but he claimed that 700-750.000 Armenians had been exiled, most of which died on the exile way. For the first time in Turkey the state official who also was considered as the scientist, acknowledged that the forced deportation of Armenians was made at the state level in Turkey. Halajoghlu didn’t accept the number of 1,5 million killed Armenians as a result of the Genocide, but on several occasions he put into circulation the number of 500-600.000. The Turkish Government suddenly realized that the information and arguments that Halajoghlu raised also can be evaluated as Genocide; other circumstance that the Turkish authorities had not liked was that Halajoghlu had gone so far in his anti-Armenian mania and had presented a quantity of victims in 1915, which, in Turkish perspective, should be considered mandatory low grades and no more than a small number could be announced, only larger one. But Halajoghlu went further in his anti-Armenian campaign and stated that 500.000 apostate Armenians are currently living in Turkey: somehow he wanted to justify his unsubstantiated numbers. But many people believed in his announcements over the country and began to look for their Armenian roots. Also there were people, who were being Turkish nationalist in nature, began to check their roots: all of a sudden not to appear as an Armenian. Even funny incidents were registered. It turned out one of Bahceli’s (leader of the MHP Party) six brothers live in Germany and has received refugee status on the ground of being a Christian Armenian. But Halajoghlu made a step that the Turkish Government could not forgive: he stated that the Turkish police took account of the number of apostate Armenian families state by state to learn a lesson from Dersim events in 1936-1937. Besides, there were registered not only those who were converted after the Genocide in 1915, but also the families who were converted a generation ago. This secret data is stored in registered Secret Archives of Space Room in the Turkish General Staff. Halajoghlu claimed the archives would show that the Alevi Kurds also had Armenian roots. It is noteworthy that the Alevis did not respond that statement and didn’t deny it as well. And a number of Alevi Kurds living in Turkey exceeds 3 million by the most humble estimate. However, there are sources and on-line publications, which try to reveal relatively the actual number of converted Armenians inhabitants in Turkey. Suchlike information will not certainly be considered completely true, but close to reality. Here is the controversial data: in Caradeniz-east and Ardvin are living 9200 families, in Diarbekir (Tigranakert), 1000 families, in Malatia, 3655 families, in Cayseri (Cesaria ), 5000 families, in Elazig (Elaziz), 1000 families, in Van, 4000 families, in Tunjeli (Dersim), 2000 families, in Siirt (Sgherd), 1200 families, in Shanleurfa, 3500 families, in Hatay (Antioch), 1100 families, in Bitlis (Baghesh ), 200 families, in Erzurum (Karin), 3000 families, in Erzinjan (Yerznka), 1300 families, in Svas (Sebastia), 2000 families, in Kahraman Marash, 3000 family, in Adeyaman, 1600 family, In Adana, 2000 family, in Mersin and Tarsus, 1200 families. But the number of apostate Armenians actually will be known after the opening of the mentioned archives. Then the people will have an opportunity to be aware of their past and roots. The Western Armenia (Historical Armenia) may not be considered as “Diaspora” because the Armenians live in their homeland. If in Diaspora the protection of the Armenians, Armenian native language and national deep-rooted traditions is the most important problem, in the Western Armenia the main problem is the process of voluntary “Armenisation”. Translation by the courtesy of Ani Margaryan/ AWN team 27.03.11
Been away…to Armenia and Spain for near three months,put together.Armenian piulgrimage this time for various reasons,rather objectives to memorialize my grandson’s legacy…published part of his poems .He wrote in English, I translated into Armenian and spanish so his booklet contains three of them,published and will be in bookstores for sale by now in yerevan.Also he had a band of 4 kids in MA while studying and in NJ.He wrote and sang..the album is 7 tunes also reproduced 100 DC’s selling in a few CD stores in Yerevan.Proceeds from sale of both go to Handicapped childrens centre in AVAN ARINJ Pilatelpia-Philladelphia… in Yerevan.
By the by I wish to make it stick here.he was pro Armenia…he once todl me -was good at PC-I kicked out Turkish hackers , from Armenian sites…granpa!!!!
Getting back to above issues.
Firstly TO KAREKIN AND AVERY MUST READ THIS CAREFULLY TOO>
I have lived near qtr century in Spain, now in US since 20 yrs…I know why Spain, regretfully not only has not recognized our Genpocide, but also is reluectant opening Embassy in Yerevan….can you imagine that.Ours was opened in Madird last year, a small one but there it is.
Cataluña ;WITH ITS CAPITAL BARCELONA ::: H A S OFFICIALLY ACKNOWLEDGED IT AT PARLIAMENT…
Spanish foreign Ministre when in Yerevan ,,now near 3 yrs ago declared by end of year-that year-we shall have our Embassy here.
Imagine many many smaller countries haave theirs in Armenia,while this Country that has importance in EU does not…welll
ONE REASON is Madrid is worried about its own Basaue and Catalan problems.Latter two vy for independence since over atr century -.Cataluña in its auiet non militancy way, whereas the other,,, well you know how bestially terroritic they are.Let me add immediately i do not approve of latter´s way,since theirs is really a BLIND TERRORISM.Whereas our Khent kids did it obnly directed to Turkish diplomats and that they stopped when our liberation actions for Nk started,went joined them there.
Best to all and I shall recommence to post here again now and then .
rgds..
Gaytzag Palandjian