Sassounian: Turkey’s Foreign Minister in Search of ‘Soft’ Armenians

Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, Turkey’s “man on the run,” has added to his extremely busy schedule the new task of travelling around the globe trying to recruit ‘sensible’ Armenians.

Davutoglu has embarked on such a desperate initiative after the failure of all Turkish attempts to divide and conquer the Armenians and weaken their resolve to pursue their just cause.

Davutoglu has embarked on such a desperate initiative after the failure of all Turkish attempts to divide and conquer the Armenians and weaken their resolve to pursue their just cause. The Turkish foreign minister openly acknowledged that his urgent efforts are prompted by the looming 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide that hangs like a Damoclean Sword over his country.

After the collapse of the Turkish Armenian Reconciliation Commission (TARC) and Turkey’s futile attempts to seek “friendly” Armenians around the world, Ankara gave up on the diaspora altogether and turned its attention to a “softer target”—the government of Armenia.

Initially, Turkey registered some success when the Armenia-Turkey protocols were signed by both countries, under the guise of opening their mutual border. However, this latest attempt to drive a wedge between “soft” Armenian officials and “hard-line” diasporans also failed, when the much-touted protocols were not ratified.

Realizing that Turkey had to deal with the diaspora, not just Armenia, to resolve genocide related issues, Davutoglu once again turned his attention to Armenian communities worldwide. During a March 24, 2010 CNN-Turk interview, he announced that Turkish authorities would initiate a dialogue with “sensible” Diasporan Armenians.

To pursue this stratagem, in April 2010 Davutoglu met in Washington with Turkey’s ambassadors to the United States and Canada, and consul generals in Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, and Toronto. He instructed them to contact Armenians who are open to dialogue, and to avoid “hard-line groups,” according to the Turkish Today’s Zaman newspaper.

A few weeks later, Hurriyet reported that the foreign ministry issued a 10-point action plan, instructing Turkish diplomats worldwide to:

— invite and involve local Armenians in Turkish events;

— participate in Armenian community activities;

— contact Armenians who are materially benefiting from making genocide claims as well as recent immigrants from Turkey; and invite to Turkey those who harbor anti-Turkish sentiments;

— establish good relations with Armenian diplomats and attend their official events;

— accept speaking opportunities at local community and university events to explain Turkey’s position on Armenian genocide claims;

— establish contacts with local academics to explain to them Turkey’s position;

— develop contacts with diplomats of countries neighboring Turkey and familiarize them with Turkey’s position on Armenian genocide claims;

— advocate the creation of “a joint commission of historians”;

— promote normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations;

— emphasize that the peaceful resolution of the Karabagh conflict would benefit Armenian-Turkish relations.

In December 2011, Turkey announced a revised concept of the “diaspora” to include all descendants of “Anatolia,” regardless of their religion or sect. Davutoglu instructed all Turkish diplomats to hold face-to-face meetings with such individuals in order to discuss their “joint history” and “the suffering of all Ottoman people during the incidents of the World War I era.”

Dissatisfied with the efforts of his diplomats, Davutoglu decided to take matters into his own hands. Last month, he spent several hours in Washington meeting privately with several Armenians and non-Armenians from the Los Angeles area to discuss “Armenian-Turkish reconciliation.” The Turkish foreign minister also invited the attendees to come to Ankara and bring along other “prominent” Armenians. Since then, Davutoglu has held similar meetings elsewhere.

Meanwhile, another Turkish-initiated group on “Armenian-Turkish reconciliation” will be launched on April 12 in Washington. The host group “HasNa” is set to meet at the offices of Arnold & Porter, a lobbying firm hired by the Turkish government. The attendees will include some Armenians and Turks, U.S. government officials, members of the media, non-governmental organizations, academics, and others.

Armenians who choose to get involved in Turkish recruitment schemes could well be seeking fame or fortune, or are well-intentioned, but naive do-gooders. However, regardless of the reasons for their involvement in such questionable practices, they should be mindful of the consequences of their actions. For, dialogue for the sake of dialog could do more damage than good to the Armenian Cause. The Turkish government would exploit such efforts to create the false impression that Armenians and Turks are in the process of reconciling, thereby derailing the recognition of the Armenian Genocide by other countries.

Unless a specific positive outcome is agreed upon in advance, there is a good chance that the Armenian participants would end up holding an empty bag.

Only Armenian officials and credible leaders with diplomatic expertise should be negotiating with shrewd and skilled Turkish diplomats. Otherwise, Turkish officials will cleverly cut a deal with those who are bound to be less demanding and more accommodating.

Harut Sassounian

Harut Sassounian

California Courier Editor
Harut Sassounian is the publisher of The California Courier, a weekly newspaper based in Glendale, Calif. He is the president of the Armenia Artsakh Fund, a non-profit organization that has donated to Armenia and Artsakh one billion dollars of humanitarian aid, mostly medicines, since 1989 (including its predecessor, the United Armenian Fund). He has been decorated by the presidents of Armenia and Artsakh and the heads of the Armenian Apostolic and Catholic churches. He is also the recipient of the Ellis Island Medal of Honor.

59 Comments

  1. “1-Dialog for the sake of dialog could do more damage than good to the Armenian Cause. The Turkish government would exploit such efforts to create the false impression that Armenians and Turks are in the process of reconciling, thereby derailing the recognition of the Armenian Genocide by other countries.”

    I ABSOLUTELY AGREE.

    We must continue to be clear that there is no debate about the Armenian Genocide, and we won’t allow Turkey to pull us into their fabrications/wishful manipulations.

  2. I agree also. With the 100 anniversary “looming” we have all the more reason to hold firmly to the cause of justice.

  3. “Reconciliation” has nothing to do with it or rapprochement with Armenians. Just like TARC, the Turkish state wants to utilize “reconciliation” to deflect genocide recognition full-stop. That is the only purpose and it’s so disgusting but then again, what more can you expect from them?

  4. I’m afraid that the 100th anniversary of the Armenian genocide will produce the same result as the anniversaries before it and the ones coming after it: Nothing..

    The US State Department is our real enemy.. Never forget that.. They will eventually thwart all effort of recognition and or justice..

  5. Here is a perfectly good reason to either energize the diaspora into unifying interactions or allow it to splinter.

    This is way above just politics…

  6. I agree with Alain. We need to immediately appoint designated representatives in each significant Armenian community in the Diaspora, sanctioned by a community council, to participate in these “dialogues”, otherwise opinions will diverge and create chaos. I think the Turkish intent is to create confusion, or to “divide and conquer”.

    • Why bother ?

      what “dialogue” ?
      there is nothing to “dialogue” about..

      If and when the State of Turkey unconditionally recognizes the Armenian Genocide, then we can “dialogue” about the depth and breadth of reparations.
      Other than that, there is nothing to talk about with representatives of the Turkish State (private or official).

      Just don’t open the door when FM Davutoglu knocks.
      Ignore them and they’ll go away.

    • I agree with Avery, that we have to keep our doors closed when Mr. Dovlotoghlu and “his friends” knock, but the problem here is that if we close our doors they are going to enter from the windows.
      So, Armenians, please keep your doors and windows shut. Never forget that 75%, (if not more) of our people were killed by Turks. And, that 7 million Armenian Diaspora is created by Turks. Our forefathers when were building their houses did not think that they were building houses for Turks/Turkish citizens. Devil did not do us as much harm as Turks did.

    • The same I guess bro (hope it’s cool that I call you bro, I feel we have established quite the bond) :), hard to examine yourself objectively though so not 100%.

    • Turkey does not divide and conquer. The imperialist countries divided and conquered. Ottomans were known for “uniting” people. Thus the Turkish race was born. Propagandist Armenians call it “Turkification”. If that was the case, why were all citizens of the Ottoman empire allowed to practice their own religion. Why were Jews welcomed after being expelled from everywhere and anywhere. Why do the Bolis prefer to speak Turkish over Armenian. Even their kids, who are born and raised in America, have been subject to propaganda, and even go to Armenian schools, still speak more Turkish than Armenian. Year 100 will come and go. Armenian rallies will shrink each and every year after that. Life will go on. Turkey will become a Top 10 economy. It’s military will become top 10 (if it isn’t already) and Azerbaijan will still have its eye on it’s occupied land……

    • @ eren : “Turkey does not divide and conquer. The imperialist countries divided and conquered. Ottomans were known for “uniting” people. Thus the Turkish race was born. Propagandist Armenians call it “Turkification”. If that was the case, why were all citizens of the Ottoman empire allowed to practice their own religion. Why were Jews welcomed after being expelled from everywhere and anywhere. Why do the Bolis prefer to speak Turkish over Armenian. Even their kids, who are born and raised in America, have been subject to propaganda, and even go to Armenian schools, still speak more Turkish than Armenian. Year 100 will come and go. Armenian rallies will shrink each and every year after that. Life will go on. Turkey will become a Top 10 economy. It’s military will become top 10 (if it isn’t already) and Azerbaijan will still have its eye on it’s occupied land……”

      Your comment sounds like a bad joke, but I’ll respond anyway because sadly, I think you truly want to believe what you said.

      1) Ottoman Turks did not “unite” people. Open up a history book and see the clear divide between the ruling, 1st class citizen muslim population and the 2nd class non-muslims of the Ottoman empire. Separate living areas, separate schools, different military position capabilities (i.e. Christians were not able to arm themselves, which made it easy for you to execute the Turk plan of genocide)

      —-

      2) Turkification = government policies to lead to eventual loss of the Armenian identity (including their religion, language, etc). There is a surname given to Armenians who had their tongue cut out because they spoke Armenia… They were called “Dilsizian,” or son of the tongueless one. You have the audacity to say “Why do the Bolis prefer to speak Turkish over Armenian. Even their kids, who are born and raised in America, have been subject to propaganda, and even go to Armenian schools, still speak more Turkish than Armenian. ” The Armenians of Bolis have NEVER preferred to speak Turkish over Armenian. Just like the Armenians of Hamshen have NEVER preferred to speak Turkish over Armenian. You don’t seem to like to use common sense very often, so I’ll give you a little push. It’s called forced assimilation. The Turks stole the land of these Armenians’ forefathers, instilled laws to prohibit and make it near impossible for them to learn & maintain their mother tongue, conducted a genocide taking away a vast amount of their population & tore the nation apart, and now have an illegal blockade against Armenia with the help of its “brother” Azerbaijan turks…. AND YOU DARE SAY THOSE ARMENIANS PREFER TO SPEAK TURKISH OVER ARMENIAN? What happens when one has no choice but to live on their father’s land where they are constantly denied the right to equal treatment & ethnic preservation? TURKIFICATION. It is clear that the turks even try this with the Kurds today, but you sound like to much of a denialist to open your eyes. Kurds who wish to teach their language or their hisory are often locked away in Turkey’s jails and labelled as “terrorists.” This is the classic response of the Turkish government — whenever anyone in Turkey is threatening the carefully kept lies of the Turkish government (i.e. – writing about the Armenian Genocide, trying to re-Kurdify the Kurds who are slowly being Turkified, THE SOLUTION IS ALWAYS JAIL. Or hell, you might even just kill them entirely like you did Hrant Dink. In fact, I bet you, too, are a turkified being. You do know that the “Turks” of “Turkey” are genetically everything from Kurdish, Armenian, Greek, Bulgarian, Assyrian, Arab, Persian, etc. You name it, you probably have the blood in you. That’s why you find so much physical variation in these so called “Turks.”

      While we’re talking about Turkification, let me also mention the countless number of Armenian Churches that have been stolen and converted into Mosques. What do you call this, if not PURE TURKIFICATION?

      Also, regarding all of the Christian children that were taken away from their families are forced to become janissaries– is this what you have in mind when you talk about the Turks “unifying” in the Ottoman Empire?

      —-

      3) And then you blast your ignorant cover and say “Even their kids, who are born and raised in America, have been subject to propaganda, and even go to Armenian schools, still speak more Turkish than Armenian.”

      Really? You would think that one would have more self-respect than to post blatantly false and desperate statements of that sort. There is not even ONE Armenian school in America that teaches Turkish to Armenian children. They are called, “Armenian school,” after all. The only reason ANY Armenian even learned your Turkish language during the Ottoman Empire is because their ancient Armenian homeland was incorporated into Ottoman territory and Turkish was the official language. It’s just like moving to a foreign country, and learning the language of that country for mere survival (business, communication, and in the Turkish Ottoman case– to escape having their tongue cut out or even killed).

      —–

      4) “Year 100 will come and go. Armenian rallies will shrink each and every year after that. Life will go on. Turkey will become a Top 10 economy. It’s military will become top 10 (if it isn’t already)”

      HAHAHA. Are you done confessing your Turkic dreams? Armenians, as a whole, have endured more than any other ethnic group, and even barbaric genocide was not able to eliminate us. You think your desperate Turkic lies will be able to accomplish this? More and more Turks of Turkey are standing up for the truth and sacrificing their own well being to speak the truth. The numbers are exponentially growing, and you can’t handle the facts, yet again. The international efforts in Armenian Genocide recognition are growing, and Erdogan’s about to have a stroke.

      “and Azerbaijan will still have its eye on it’s occupied land……”

      Again, HAHAHA. Have your eye where you wish. Armenians will have bodies on IT’S land. Look at this “country” who exists merely as a result of the Armenian Genocide, and has only existed for less than a hundred years try to proclaim itself the rightful owners of Artsakh/Karabagh. Is this a Turkish tradition? You know, lie until you almost believe it?

    • Eren, that’s absolutely not true. In fact most non Turks paid a heavy price for their people to be under the Turkish occupational yoke. Most all others were considered 2nd class citizens and had to pay heavy taxes.. Their live stock was considered Ottoman’s and so were their women and property at any time the Ottoman turks decided they wanted it. It was theirs..

      Ask any race under Turkish rule if those were good times or the worst in their history? I bet all would say the latter.

      To RVDV: Turkish dialogue has no other purpose then to deflect the reality of the Turkish genocidal past.. that’s why it needs to be ignored…

    • RVDV.. i am sorry but i don’t agree with your approach..

      Avery said it and said it well.. and if I was Avery, I would not allow you to call me bro.. because we are friends nor acquaintances//…

      Thank you

      Gayane

    • Is this person ERen for real?? I laughed sooo hard on the following statement that I thought to myself.. he must have been thinking about a totally completely different country because it sure does not relate to Turkey and her history…

      “”””Turkey does not divide and conquer. The imperialist countries divided and conquered. Ottomans were known for “uniting” people. Thus the Turkish race was born””””

      I am sorry and HOW exactly did the Turkish race born? by joining hands, accepting all the Christians with open arms and hearts, by showering Christians by religion freedom and allowing the same priviladges as Muslims…??? please enlighten us oh Eren, “the peace loving and joined by love and respect” Turkish friend..

    • World PEACE- absolutely brilliant.. bravo.. qefs ekav after reading your comments… sirts hovatsav..:)

  7. Opening the boarder between Armenia and Turkey as well as dropping Artsakh
    as an impediment for reconciliation would be a fair first step by Turkey.

  8. To John,Alain et al,
    The state Dept. is not our enemy.They are working ONLY as directed by directive.
    Just like the other day one person very quickly shot at Diane Rynn, an interviewer on Public Radio-before they could cut him out,and I quote”how come pakistan that has for yrs housed the Al Qaeda and is the country where Bin Laden was…..and got caught there, can own Nukes and Iran cannot”to that effect. So you see higher politics are involved and indeed quite so often those who direct it siding with erroneous partners ,because of some imaginary Bogus…..enemy or thinking that -as an example great Turkey will defend the Western rights in the region. In this case of our tiny Armenia (a horn in the side of great Turkey) and indeed the Armenian Diaspora (the remnants of the Genocide) are hindrance…in their ERRONEOUS OPINION/VIEWPOINT.These directives have for quite long believed in the wrong choice of electing so called allies.
    Allies? same turks thatr for many a time have double crossed them???
    No,it is not that they are OUR ENEMIES ,RATHER THEIR O W N ,dear John.
    Hope they will realize that sooner rather than later.
    As to Alain´s view.He certainly is right EITHER OR THAT..
    Well it also boild down what Harut Sassounian is SUGGESTING…
    ¨¨Stay clear of the turkish machinations, do not allow yourselves to be manipulated¨.
    My suggestion is more in line with Alain´s first suggestions:-that is…
    ENERGIZE THE DIASPORA(s).In this respect none of you fellas have opined if you-firstly -did enter and read my articles in …www.armeniannews.info…..
    click on User submittred articles please…and if you oppose it let me know,it is better than NOT OPINING…Silence bodes bad.I am now somehow learning to type in Armenian on my PC.Have just posted one today on another thread here in AW

  9. 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide that hangs like a Damoclean Sword over his country.
    Also Ahmet Davutoglu and all that are Genocide deniers should Always have like a Damoclean Sword hang over them.

    First the only way to deal with turkey;
    #1) demand all of the stolen property from them
    #2) the BLOCKADE?
    #3) Return all of Western Armenia!

    Ahmet Davutoglu must think Armenians are soft; and this will be just like taking Kandy away from a kid.

  10. Those so called Armenians have no right to represent or make a decision
    on the inhuman cruelty “the Armenian Genocide and other issues carried out by Turkish government in the past”. I suggest such Armenians (the puppets of Turks) should be considered as seeds of Turks and get rid of Armenian issues. What a shame to such persons who are trying to negotiate our causes with inhuman Turkey’s Foreign Minister and his representatives.

  11. I feel sorry for the soft Armenians who wants to sell our rights to Turkey’s Foreign Minister. Greedy persons are slaves of few dollars.
    These greedy Armenians will be disappointed and will have no respect
    in Armenian community. I agree with M.S.K., eventually, they will have no choice but to convert themselves to their origin – Turks.

  12. You’re right Bedros, but we know assuming makes an ass out of you and me (ass-u-me). Just kidding.

    Anyhow, they’ve already offered Armenia “candy” and we’ve picked pride & justice over temporary pleasure (aka economic relationship with los turkos)…

    Like you guys are saying, we must refuse as we know the games they’ve played in the past (refer to Armenian history, refer to Kurdish history, etc.) — non-stop manipulation.

    99.99% of the time, when you see people in the wrong start to reach out for support (from “soft Armenians” in this case), you know that they are on the losing side and are reaching for anything they can take.

    WE are on the winning side. How do we respond? ENERGIZE! UNITE! Support your local Armenian organizations. (Financially, with your time, etc.) Keep Armenia on your priorities list. Voice the Armenian voice in your local elections. The Turks are looking for help out of desperation. Cut their outlets– make sure your diasporan political representatives are NOT voting with Ankara in mind. Should our Armenian government behave inappropriately, the diaspora surely won’t be silent.

  13. Well, one such “soft” Armenian is sitting in the presidential palace in Yerevan. Was he not the one who succumbed to pressure and had his foreign minister sign humiliating protocols with unrepentant Turks? Are these documents withdrawn from the parliament? I don’t think so…

  14. Turkey is looking for Ignorant/weak Armenian organizations that would betray their Armenian Nation!!!

  15. The Turkish Foreign Minister among several ideas says:

    1. establish good relations with Armenian diplomats and attend their official events;

    2. promote normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations;

    well, let the ninny start by opening the border !!! if he really means what he says…

  16. What do you mean by Mardehros????
    Are you Armenian????
    If so spell your name correctly MARDIROS or Mardyros.
    As to your ¨¨suggesting¨¨ open the border.GREAT MAJORITY OF REAL ARMENIANMS KNOW IT WILL BE TO THE BENEFIT OF THE TURKS…
    WE DO NOT WISH THAT BORDER OPNED UNTILL GREAT TURKEY HAS ASKED FORGIVENESS AND MADE REPARATIONS PROPERLY!!!!
    PERIOD

  17. mardehros
    “”let the ninny start by opening the border !!! if he really means what he says””
    It would have been very easy for Turkey to open its border however, all the noble Armenians agree that opening the border will be very bad for Armenia rather than good.Obviously, Turkey doesn’t want to harm the Armenian economy, thus the border will remain closed.

  18. Hogwash. Is this non-sense the usual uncompromising nature that I have been hearing from people who don’t care about the economic conditions within Armenia and continue to want Armenia isolated from trade and dialogue with their border neighbors? My family or I do not have to make excuses for trying to open the border to trade and removing dogmatic verbal attacks on those who want some dialogue. Is this some sort of inherited McCarthyism aimed at those who want to open the border for trade? Certainly after more than 90 years, my grandparents and family would have wanted careful dialogue. This is from a family that who had entertained General Antranik on three different occasions as a guest in my grandparents house.

    • Yervant,

      People who are against opening the border with Turkey with her preconditions care about not only Armenia’s economic condition but also Armenian’s demographic condition.

      Turkey is bluntly asking to give, some, and later the rest of the Artsakh’s territories to Azeris in order to lift the blockade. How about the committee of historians on the Armenian genocide? How about recognizing the current border? Are you ready to satisfy the Turkish greed one more time as we have been doing it for centuries? Kars treaty is a great example how Turks successfully robbed Armenians again. At that time Soviet Armenia did not have her say now we have, and our country did not recognized the Kars treaty and the current border.

      I am sorry but as an Armenian citizen I am against to the opening the border with Turkey with current protocols. And, to be honest with you I do not see how opening border is going to significantly help Armenia’s economy.

    • Dear Yervant,

      Do you know anything about the Armenian-Turkish HasNa meeting being held in Washington on April 12? If you do, please shed some light on the proceedings.

    • Yervant, you should remember the Turkish pre-conditions are completely one sided and have more to do with Genocide recognition alone. They essentially want Armenia to mortgage all of their vital interests to appease their own and maybe…a big maybe… they’ll entertain opening the border someday. All Armenia has to do is give up their security, calls for justice and equality, vital interests, etc – a deal with some of the worst characters you could ever encounter on this earth.

    • I tend to think that the ‘dialogue’ that should take place between Turks and Armenians, or Turkey and Armenia, or Turks and ‘soft’ Armenians is the one that comes AFTER Turkey recognizes the historical truth of the Armenian genocide and addresses the question of what its responsibilities are now…. responsibility toward the descendants of those who perished, those whose properties were stolen and to the ‘nation’ of Armenians worldwide. Any other ‘dialogue’ is likely to be used for the purpose of denial and obfuscation and only hinder justice further.

      Is this too rigid? Perhaps. But we have to be cautious about giving a platform to those who would distort history. Turkey closed the border without ‘dialogue’ in order to punish Armenians for having the audacity to defend their rights against Azeris. They want ‘dialogue with soft Armenians in order to muffle the voice of Armenians who have the audacity to speak the truth about the genocide. We should be audacious enough to stand for justice for our ancestors who suffered the indignity of extermination because they were ‘ermeni.’ Truth is truth. I’m all for economic opportunities for Armenians, but putting money and trade ahead of TRUTH is not our right. It is an insult to those who came before us.

      We Armenians take pride in a long history of taking advantage of trade opportunities in far-flung regions. We are good at it. But the government of the RoA, and/or its representatives, should carry out dialogue on trade issues without ever compromising history or truth. And our universities, churches, compatriotic societies and political organizations have no obligation to entertain efforts to whitewash an unpunished crime against humanity.

  19. Yervant, open dialogue about what?

    Either there was or there wasn’t a genocide. There can’t be 1/2 a genocide or some sort of compromise which is what dialogue is used for…. and by taking Davutoglu & Turkey up on this offer, Turkey plans to:

    “– accept speaking opportunities at local community and university events to explain Turkey’s position on Armenian genocide claims;”

    NO THANKS.

    So essentially they want us to shoot ourselves in the foot by allowing them to spread their propaganda and present a history other than reality?

    This is much more than dialogue. This would be pure insanity on the Armenians’ behalf should any “softy” take them up on the offer.

    Please don’t insinuate that everyone who doesn’t want this form of “dialogue” with Turkey’s conditions doesn’t care about Armenia’s economy. If the Armenians cave, which we will not, Turkey wins because all they need to do is put out the “there are two stories” BS they so desperately use. And once that is established, there is no going back.

    We don’t want other nations to fall for Turkey’s bribes and threats, yet you suggest we should consider their promise (and reality only with regards to Armenia, but not the other countries that have recognized the genocide) of economic retaliation and essentially let the history of the Armenian Genocide fade (which is what dialogue will lead to)?

  20. Let’s analyse the 10 Turksh points and see if they are realisable or not.

    1) invite and involve local Armenians in Turkish events;

    (To which event they want to invite local Armenians? To 23 April National Freedom and childrens celebrations .?While one day after we commemorate the day of our massacrated childrens and perished nation they celebrate their freedom ?
    To the celebration of the liberation of Van,Erzurum,Kars,Artvin,Agri and so on .Where they still make a theatre that Turkish solders are liberating those cities from Armenians killing them.

    In Turkey every event evry celebration is made against Atmenians and Christians.Every Turkish event is an Anti Armenian propaganda and a hate throw Armenians.Turks must first change their anti Armenian and hostile mentality.

    2)participate in Armenian community activities;
    Which Armenian activities they will partecipate? To the 24 April commemorations? To Vartanants day? Ok they are wellcome.

    3)contact Armenians who are materially benefiting from making genocide claims as well as recent immigrants from Turkey; and invite to Turkey those who harbor anti-Turkish sentiments;

    I don’t think there are really a high quantity of anti Turk Armenians.Armenians are not anti Turks but we age against Turkish anti Armenian mentality,Turkish genocide denial mentality.Armenians are against Turks because Turks are atill anti Armenians.One month ago in Istanbul there was an anti Armenian meeting where slogans are ” You Armenians you are all bastards “Where the Turkish prime minister gave a nationalist speech and the prime Minister Erdogan supported them.Turks have still “hayadyats” mentality so how they can aspect that Armenians will partecipate to their celebrations?Will Armenians partecipate to the celebrations of a nation that they continue to swere to them to hate them?

    4) establish good relations with Armenian diplomats and attend their official events;

    Which Armenian diplomats?There is no diplomacy between Turkey and Armenia so this means that Turkey doesn’t recognise Armenian diplomacy.

    5) accept speaking opportunities at local community and university events to explain Turkey’s position on Armenian genocide claims;

    No problem they can continue to tell their official tesis against the Genocide that they do since more than 90 years so there is no any changement.

    6) establish contacts with local academics to explain to them Turkey’s position;
    So they plan to continue to pay some accademics in orden to create a panturkist history as they did since now.

    7) develop contacts with diplomats of countries neighboring Turkey and familiarize them with Turkey’s position on Armenian genocide claims;

    This is funny :-))) Which neighboring countries? Syria ? Iran ? Irak? Russia ?Greece? Bulgaria ? Turkey has diplomatic problems with all his neighbors because of his panturkist mentality.

    8) advocate the creation of “a joint commission of historians”;

    Which historians ? Most of historians in the world they say that the Armenian Genocide is a reality so which other historians they are looking for ?

    9) promote normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations;
    Yes we saw this film before, it was called “football diplomacy” but when their small brother got angry they forgot their promises and protocols.

    10 ) emphasize that the peaceful resolution of the Karabagh conflict would benefit Armenian-Turkish relations

    Of course the peaceful resolution of the Northern Cyprus would benefit Turkish -Grece relations. I wonder what is the difference between the Karabag conflict and the Cyprus conflict.Why Turkey has the right to defends Cyprus Turks against Greek hostility but Armenians has no right to defend Armenians from Azeri hostility. I am sorry …I forgot …..Turks has the right to do what ever they want to do in the world .They believe to that.

  21. It seems naive, Yervant. This “dialogue” has nothing to do with opening the border and normalizing relations but everything to do with the Turkish desire to deflect the genocide and give the appearance of normalization without any action. I can guarantee that nothing will result from this. Strike one was TARC, strike two was the Protocols, and this will be strike three. It is a facade and nothing more. Remember, it is the Turks who have the growing list of pre-conditions.

  22. For the 3290473978th time, Mr. Davutoglu and Yervant:

    1. Armenians in Diaspora do not hate Turks. They oppose the Turkish government’s present-day policy. Therefore wasting money to get us to visit Turkey and participate in Turkish events etc. etc. will do nothing as long as the government’s present-day policy remains the same.

    2. There is no logical or legal reason why the implementation of a blockade can be linked with the actions of citizens of foreign nations. Therefore Yervant, RVDV, Obama, etc. the more you say “Diaspora is making the opening of the border less likely,” the more you are essentially condoning an illegal act of war. It was wrong to close the border; therefore the border must be opened regardless of what the Diaspora does. Yervant, I respectfully suggest you turn your energy towards lobbying the Turkish government to open the border without preconditions, rather to your fellow countrymen, which we all are.

    3. When a foreign country states that Canada committed genocide against the First Nations, I don’t go into a frenzy and start denying the genocide and insulting members of the First Nations. That would be irrational. Yet, the international community seems to think that this would be an appropriate response on my part, and then they would caution foreign nations not to talk about the genocide of First Nations. After all, don’t they always say that recognition by 3rd countries of 1915 would “inflame public opinion” in Turkey? They are committing appeasement–they are placating irrational behavior by Turks.

    The message is, guys: when you run a country, just cultivate an ultra-nationalist population in that country, and then use them as an excuse not to make any concession during negotiations with other states; use them even to curb free speech in other states–“oh, if you talk about this crime that we committed, the ultranationalists in my country [that I am doing nothing to oppose] will gain too much public sympathy.”

    Pathetic. What a pathetic world we live in.

  23. KEY WORD HERE ¨Softy¨. First let´s get the exact definition of this word.
    1.If it is meant those who participated in TARC more than ten yrs ago,then it becomes obvious that those are the ones referred to by Harut Sassounian.
    2. Otherwise if there are some new upcomers,who in their so called ¨positions¨ that Canadian Armenian writer Ara.Baliozain refers to as BBB´s(Bishops, Bosses & Benefactors) i.e., those who are more or less in control of our Diaspora(s),these are hardly representative of the thick of our Diaspora(s).They are either self appointed or else ¨ELECTED¨ by their (subordinates) or sub BBB´s,make it sub agents…again hardly representative of the thick of population.
    Who then has the <AUTHORITY to speak on behalf of the Diaspora(s)????
    If,someone may say that , this that (again) self-or let us be a bit more compromising-appointed by one of our existing politicla parties or all,plus a Bishop or two and/or one or two Benefactors(who wishj to be there on the political scene) as well ,then you have a good picture why great Turkey is still hopefull to trap ¨softy¨s.Right?
    Whereas I do not wish to meddle in the affairs of these BBB´s like the 98% of our Diasporans, or a bit less,i.e-. those who have self-marginaized themselves and keep away from said TRIO and live in their cocoons,thus leaving the platform to said people,then we can be proud Josseph ,Sella, world peace et al that they UNDERSTAND what they are doing…
    Man on the street that is yet another category of our people and I´m openly referring to those 20,000 Armenians anywhere in the world can elect one Rep.(H.Sassounian¨s choice , or set forth PROPOSAL) to which I am not opposing.However that also may be a partial solution to having really Representative Body in Diaspora(s).My ¨suggestions¨as to my theses are to have POEPL ELECTED FOR THEIR MERITORIAL ABILITIES.
    For which I suggested the formation of Professioanl Colleagues associations of which within past 30 yrs ,five have come to existance(whether you,me he she like it or not). We need TEN more to complete the PCA´sfull Body and from amonmgst these 3 person delegatges.One for his/her most advanced position in Profession,One Culturally,national/int´l and with netyworking capacity and ·3rd for having ahieved Fianancial success more than the other two.note,one compliments the other two.There is no Fourth Merit in a professional that can be more develped.these from all armenian dense Townships ,plus 3 person rep.s from the political parties and one ea from our Spiritual denominations will form THE OTHER PARTIAL LEADERSHIP,as in parallel with Mr. H.Sassounians.BTW, HIS IS ACTUALLY THE ONE THAT IS ALREADY BEING PRACTICED,albeit not with a limited 20 K count.Sky being the limit for those who will follow(even in Armenia nowadays) the campaigning,-real Western style- modality ,whether by financial means and or political party influence…I am not and cannot go against these.These have been there since the Frenmch and Armenian Revolutions(in my opinion for thsoe times that have been handed down to us) WHEREAS, with the advent of far more advanced technologies, sciences etc., the population of the world needs something more in line with said Dynamic stance of theirs.
    Anyhow , I do trust that the web site wherein i was posting ,namely http://www.armeniannews.info my articles will come back on soon.Since that has been the only one that has kindly hosted my articles mmore at length-I trus that will happen,otherwise I will be more convinced that what ARA.Baliozain wrote for manyrs w/ref to BBB´´s is still in USE…
    best to my comptriots.
    But no border opening please.it will be pretty close to suicide.Great Turkey will rejoice tremendouslhy , that she can then freely enter with goods persons what not into our Tiny reborn Republic and strangle it with COTTON this time,the good people-who are still there, fleeing like racing cars to out of the homeland..

  24. Yervant Chobanian:

    before you accuse us of McCarthyism, go to TodaysZaman and read what was said by one Ömer Taşpınar, a member of HasNa executive board during the meeting in Washington:

    {“…saying that while Armenians suffered a trauma due to the 1915 incidents, Turks suffered a trauma due to the collapse of the Ottoman Empire and he called on both Turks and Armenians to avoid acts which will recall their traumas.”}

    {“Taşpınar said dialogue can begin first between Turks who are open to accept Armenian claims of genocide and Armenians who do not liken the 1915 incidents to the Holocaust.”}

    What do you think, Mr. Chobanian: did the Armenian Genocide happen or we should sit down and “dialogue” with people who claim it is merely a “claim” of an incident ?
    You think General Andranik would have thought it was just a claim too ?

    And here is small sample of comments by Turks under the same TZ article, who no doubt are eager for “dialogue” with sensible, compromising Armenians like you. (…..you know, as opposed to non-sensible, uncompromising Armenians like us).

    Enjoy:

    [Ayse , 13 April 2012 , 23:07
    “Dialogue” rewards the descendents of Armenian terrorists and war criminals that have murdered thouands of Turkish people while asisting foreign invaders of Turkey during WWI. “Dialogue” legitimizes Armenian propaganda. AKP once again shows its true face. ]

    [Ozsu Kaya , 13 April 2012 , 22:31
    Engaging in so called “dialogue” only serves to bestow legitimacy to Armenian lies and rewards Armanian terrorism and aggression towards Turkey. It also provides relief for the Armenian crimes and condones the continuing illegal occupation of Azerbaijan.]

    [Gokay , 13 April 2012 , 23:01
    This kind of “initiative” emboldens Armenian aggression and assists Armenian propaganda attempts to distort history. These are an insult to the Turkish people and particularly the victims of Armenian terrorism. The only “armenian problem” is that of an illegal armenian terrorist state that violates international law by including aggressive statements against Turkey in its so-called “constitution” while illegally occupying 20% of another country. Taspinar is an AKP/”moderate Islam” advocate. As usual, AKP/political Islam are cooperating with the enemies of Turkey.]

  25. Though my two more(above )posts await moderation,I hasten to reply to Eren,way up above on his very subtly composed post.
    It refers to Armenians in Bolis WHO SPEAK TURKISH amongst themselves and even their offspring over Armenian. O.K.????
    No Mr. Eren you very conviently OVERLOOK FACT THAT those Armenians were so much scared to speak their mother tongue-Armenian- even in their stores(I with wife witnessed that in the 60´s while in transit and stay for a few days in Constantinople (istanbulla).Poor souls they were scared even when we spoke to them in Armenian,while in their store, fearing ,any minute a turk might come in…
    Do you follow what I´m saqying effendi????
    Your fascist Govt. had scared the hell out of them and that went on for over 70 yrs..after Mustafa Kemal and went on untill 1953 when the Mob took to the streets breakling into Greek shops and setting fire to a few and chasing the greeks(what little of them was left) out of that beautifull country…
    So don´t try to attach your supposition (as fact) that Armenians speak toikish over Armenian.hell that is also so very obvious even today…
    So go grind your oxydatged axe elsewhere…

  26. To Whom it May Concern & make your own conclusions….

    Ankara moves to create its own diaspora

    Turkey pushes the millions of people in its diaspora to organize themselves against ‘genocide’ claims. This strategy is being penned by a body led by Deputy PM Bozdağ. AA photo
    Serkan Demirtaş serkan.demirtas@tdn.com.tr

    Turkey is pushing the millions of people in its diaspora to organize themselves in the interests of countering Armenian genocide claims and fighting the growing threat of racism in Europe.

    “We are working on drafting a strategy document on the diaspora. It will respond to our priorities, objectives and working methods. We will also outline our messages through this document,” a senior government official told the Hürriyet Daily News over the weekend.

    The strong Azeri diaspora is likely to be a powerful allied force for the Turkish diaspora. This strategy is being penned by the Overseas Turks Agency, established in 2010, a government body led by deputy Prime Minister Bekir Bozdağ.

    As part of the plan to create a well-functioning diaspora, the agency is planning to hold two massive meetings in June and September to provide solid ground for Turkish nongovernmental organizations based abroad and those who want to take an active part in such affairs. In June, around 500 NGOs from mainly European countries and elsewhere will be invited to Ankara for a conference on legal ways to confront racist and discriminatory attitudes toward Turks.

    “Our objective is to provide our citizens and NGOs information on ways to claim their rights in a conscious and organized manner,” the official said. “We advise them to remain within the boundaries of the law when they face racist attacks. We tell them to go to the police and make written applications so that these attacks can be addressed in a proper way using democratic means.”

    The Turkish government is seriously concerned by growing racism in European countries, especially in Western Europe, and is making it an issue during political talks as well.

    “However, we need to do more than this. We are encouraging them to adopt dual citizenship and enjoy full-pledged rights,” the official added. In the second phase, officials want to gather around 2,000 Turks living abroad for a meeting in Istanbul which would mark the establishment of what the official called the “Turkish diaspora.” The plan is expected to be strengthened by the establishment of alliances with several other diasporas of like-minded countries – especially Azerbaijan.

    In line with this idea, officials are planning on holding the meeting on Sept. 15, the day when Nuri Paşa, an Ottoman general serving under the infamous Enver Paşa, commander of the Eastern Army Group, saved Baku from the Russians in 1918.

    • “No difference between Azeris and Turks”

      Gayane Hanım,

      Yes,

      Turkish, Azerbaijani, Chuvashes, Kazakhs, Tatars, Kyrgyzs, Turkmens, Uyghurs, Uzbeks, Bashkirs, Qashqai, Gagauzs, Yakuts, Crimean Karaites, Krymchaks, Karakalpaks, Karachays, Nogais and

      as well as past civilizations such as the Göktürks, Kumans, Kipchaks, Avars Bulgars , Turgeshes, Khazars, Seljuk Turks, Ottoman Turks, Mamluks, Timurids,Khoton, Tsaatan, Chantua and possibly Huns and the Xiongnu

      are all TURKIC people who are warriors, hard working, noble , never lie , good hearted, intelligent , friendly , handsome, fair, helpful, protector of weaks.

      Necati Genis

    • Gayane jan,in order to understand the coward’s psychology please read the here below paragraph,from Cemil Aksu’s article titled ‘The
      Hopa-Hamshens: Social and Political Life’:

      “It’s safe to say that, subconsciously, those who adopted the “pro-government” approach were constantly fearful of being singled out as Armenians. The Hamshens know they are regarded by others as Islamicized Armenians and certain Hamshens, in an attempt to shed this image, wind up supporting the most rightwing political parties in Turkey. Political affiliation also divides Hamshens into those who acknowledge or disavow their Armenian roots.”

    • [Mine Ozcelik Bagrationi , 19 April 2012 , 08:38
      necati, you will Never grow up. However, you will be used to do our dirty job cleaning Christians, butchering them and turning their churches to mosques.] (TodaysZaman)

      [Mine Ozcelik Bagrationi , 20 April 2012 , 16:44
      necati = pure idiot. Zaman you may want to get rid of this street thug once and for all. This psychopath must be investigated for murder, because only murderers make up phony stories and shame a whole people. Lowest form of life I have ever seen.] (TodaysZaman)

      [Mine Ozcelik Bagrationi , 19 April 2012 , 16:55
      satrap, sorry to inform you a good news: According to my mother, both she and my father(who passed away) are pure 100% ethnic Turks.] (TodaysZaman)

    • Avery jan… mersi posteri hamar… et turqa vor et himari masin grel er iskapes xelatsi marta..:)

  27. Dear compatriots,
    I´m a bit apalled and uneasy to see that what we do is as yet in an unortganized fashion and inappropriate for a MUCH OLDER DIASPORA than the turks´.
    Reason? it is quite obvious,
    1. We did not wish to understand and as yet object to, or refuse to understand that our present establishments ,political parties are not compatib le with an Armenian Diaspora that is much more Dynamic that when the Chart or ¨Sahmanatrutyun¨¨ was drafted-drawn up by our clergyu and Amiras in constantinople some 160 or more yrs ago……
    2. Our efforts will not match that of turks´ (see above VTiger took pains to quote,if we carry on in above oldish fashions….
    3. I have over many yrs ,also participating in Armenian Congresses, in Europe(Paris, Geneva,. Marseilles,Madrid) cultivated RECULTIVATED a Scheme(theses,if you wish that can well serve not only this purposes of —
    4.Honouring our martyrs on the 100th Anniversary of the Genocide,but also ONE that enlaps OTHER IMPORTANT ISSUES,such as
    A .The Formation of a Super Structure of the Diaspora(with a Suprmem Council with 5 Depts.,
    B. Organization of above through the PCA´s Prof.Colleagues Assoc.´s &…
    C. Through the PCA´s(some 100,000 strong) and our magnagtes all the way down to millionaires and one hundthrousnad dollars investos to a $100.-so
    D. TO ESTABLISH OUR NATIONAL INVESTMENT TRUST FUND.
    For without a Huge fund and Human resources to toBACK UP/SUPPORT,WE are….sorry to say VERY fragmented and CENTRIFUGAL!
    Please,enter in ….www.armeniannews.info…….clcik on top Users articles and read those articles that covers all in detail,THEN DO PLEASE comment.In fact negatively as well that I might be a bit pleased that there is no old time Armenina Un cooperativeness left amongst us ,nor J….

  28. turkey gave the death warrant to destroy the Armenian race.
    the Armenian genocide was premeditated and perpetrated by the turkish government!

    Turkey’s Foreign Minister in Search of ‘Soft’ Armenians.
    Who Sais that we have soft Armenians?

  29. We don’t have to be Geniuses? turky knows what to do next Chancellor Willi Brandt
    http://www2.facinghistory.org/Campus/Memorials.nsf/0/DC396F572BD4D99F85256FA80055E9B1

    Kurdish recognition of the Armenian Genocide is the recognition of the Kurdish participation in the ethnic cleansing of Armenians during World War I, when Kurdish tribal forces (as well as Turks and Muslims from various Caucasian tribes) attacked and killed Armenian civilians and refugees.

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