Genocide Vote: Impacts, Consequences
On October 12, 2006 – French Parliament passed a bill criminalizing the denial of the fact, that the Ottoman Turkish Empire committed Genocide against Armenians in 1915. On the same date the Turkish writer Orhan Pamuk won the 2006 Nobel Prize in Literature.
It is indisputable, that Turkey should acknowledge the Armenian Genocide and bear the full consequences as stated by the International Law after a subsequent action at the International Criminal Court.
Censorship and lynching are not appropriate anymore, not in Europe! And this is something the ‘European’ Turkey should remember before making all the fuss about the Genocide Bill in France. As OKTAY EKSI has duly noted in HURRIYET, “We stress that France is a disgrace to the civilised world. However, it is a precondition for Turkey, which tells others that ‘what you are doing is shameful in terms of freedom of expression’ first of all to get rid of its own sources of shame.”
For the US and EU who are engaged in endless wars with the anti-democratic forces of jihad in Afganistan, Iraq, Lebanon, Palestine Turkey is an indispensable ally. It sets an example of a ‘more or less’ successful, secular, ‘more or less’ democratic country, which also throws in considerable military power to make the weights even. In the article entitled “Patronising Turkey is a dangerous game for Europe” printed in the The Financial Times on 11th October, 2006, DENIS MACSHANE summarizes all the Turkey-inspired fears the Europe has over the future of Turkey. He especially points to the possibility of Turkey turning its back to Europe, and seeking alternative alliances with Iran, Russia, Pakistan.
“Turkish-French relations, which have been meticulously developed over the centuries, took a severe blow today…” has uttered the Turkish foreign ministry. I remember last year, after visiting some discotheques in Vienna, and observing the energetic Turkish youth and roaring Turkish dance music all over the place, I started thinking what the Aging Europe might be feeling about the 68 million strong Turkish genome flowing into it. The BBC’s Sarah Rainsford in Istanbul says many Turks are angry at what they see as double standards in the EU, where opinions are sharply divided about whether Turkey should be allowed to join.
Turkey in its turn, does all it can to prove it doesn’t belong in Europe.The penal code in Turkey, that makes calling “for the recognition of the Armenian genocide” illegal, or prosecution of writers and translators for attempting to stimulate debate on the subject, closing the borders with Armenia despite its own political and economic interests. Many Europeans might be quite right in thinking that they are not loosing that much after all. It is not surprising, that most newspapers are taking this bill as an act of closing doors for Turkey towards the EU, rather then a sincere recognition of the Genocide.
Today I want to applaud to the valor of the French MPs, who wouldn’t let hysteria in Turkey interfere with the internal affairs of France. I want to thank them, for putting the Armenian Genocide into the top news agenda of the world today, and I want to hope, that the bill won’t be ratified in the end …because the Freedom of Speech is worth more, and because they have already done more then enough, and because going further will prove the Turkey’s point, that they are more interested in blocking Turkey’s entry to EU, then the genuine respect towards the blackest point in my nation’s history.
PS: I’m really sorry for the brilliant Turkish writer Orhan Pamuk, because the real literary merit of his Nobel Prize was somehow lost amidst the debate on the French Bill. But then - who knows! Maybe this Prize also signifies something more then Literature?
So whose side are you on anyway???
Comment by Qnnich — 10/13/2006 @ 7:10 pm
I insist, that Turkey should acknowledge the Armenian Genocide and bear the full consequences. But I also think, that Freedom of Speech is of absolute value, and every limitation of it is a little bit too much.
Comment by Observer — 10/13/2006 @ 7:23 pm
Statement by H. E. Vartan Oskanian Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia On the French National Assembly vote of October 12, 2006 Yerevan, Armenia
October 12, 2006
Today’s approval of the bill by the French National Assembly is a natural continuation of France’s principled and consistent defense of human and historic rights and values.
This decision is also a natural reaction to the intensive, aggressive and official denialism of the Armenian Genocide by the Turkish state. They have undertaken a premeditated, planned assault on the truth.
To adopt such a decision is the French Parliament’s sovereign right and is understandable. What we don’t understand is the Turkish government’s instigation of extremist public reactions, especially while Turkey itself has a law that does exactly the same thing and punishes those who even use the term genocide or venture to discuss those events.
Comment by Observer — 10/13/2006 @ 8:58 pm
I am in agreement with some of your points, especially about Mr. Pamuk’s literary merit being lost amid the discussions of genocide. I also believe as a member of ‘Europe,’ as you suggested, restricting the freedom of expression and speech is a step backward, especially coming from France. Shame on France for lowering itself to the level the Armenians hold Turkey at. And sorry for the Armenians siding with the French on this one, when in the long run, any debate over freedoms and liberties would outlive any acceptance or denial of genocide or massacre.
Maybe the Turks need to rise up and start asking questions and resolve this issue once and for all. And maybe the Armenians should favor freedom of expression about claims of rejecting genocide as much as they do acceptance of genocide.
Comment by metin — 10/18/2006 @ 9:15 pm
Republic of Turkiye is always willing to open up its archieves in order to prove that a genocide has not happened. If you or any of your friends know Turkish, then I would recommend you to visit the Government Archieves of Turkish Republic, if you are not able to do that, then I’d recommend you to visit the site: http://www.ermenisorunu.gen.tr/english/intro/index.html
One should be Turk in order to realise the truth about Armenians, it is not a genocide nor a war against those people. Jews were killed by Hitler, none of them remaining were rich, but Armenians were able to build up their own government after the World War I and Turkish Independence War. If they were killed like the Jews, then how would they build up their own government??
People are free to declare their opinions but only after analysing what they are talking about!!!
Comment by Elif Ertengil — 10/24/2006 @ 7:27 pm
One should definitely NOT be Turk to “realise the truth about Armenians” as you are suggesting Elif. Moreover, one shouldn’t even be Armenian, to “realise the truth about Armenians”. Guess what? We are all very subjective!!!
That is exactly why, one should be French, or Dutch, or Russian, or American, to try and dig to the truth. And many have done so. You have provided a link to one site which can in no way be considered trustworthy and reliable. I can give you a dozen links to sites advocating the opposite point.
It was very clever of the Turkish government to suggest to open up its archives. It was very wise of the Armenian government to refuse to create an Armenian-Turkish research team - because that will be a complete failure. Now, in the interests of the truth, I would suggest these “clever” governments to invite truly objective, truly professional and non-Armenian and non-Turk researchers to investigate all the sources: including the archives of the Turkish government. And to, once again, prove the truth, which for me personally is that a horrible crime against humanity was committed, and for you: Elif, is the opposite.
The truth is, for me this point is above discussion and dispute. What is important for me - is the fact, that our governments and generations of Armenians and Truks will keep this race of endless propaganda, hate speach, mutual disrespect, xenophobia, instead of doing the one and only logical thing: opening up the free discussion the issue, finding a solution, and trying to reconcile.
How long will this continue?
Comment by Observer — 10/25/2006 @ 10:39 pm
funny to talk about Turkish ‘xenophobia’…i mean at least by Armenians…
Have you ever wondered how many Armenians still live in TR today? How many Armenian citizen Armenians “illegally” work and survive in TR? (According to TR gov’t = 40,000, TR gov’t close their eyes for them, just as any other neighbors who need to bring food to their homes: Ukranians, Iraqis, Iranians, Romanians, Bulgarians, they all “illegal” in Istanbul) I am not talking about Turkish-Armenians here. (around 60,000)
Don’t we know that Armenians are proud of their country’s “ethnic” unity? (claiming “Purest” ethnic population) in every opportunity. Haven’t they occupied and forced quarter millions of Azerbaijanis from their homes in 1990s?
Armenia feels all the wind behind their back; mostly due to the rich diaspora in USA, Russia, France, Canada, etc. But Armenians in Armenia should know that, they are in land-locked country, neighbor of TR and Azerbaijan! (And Russia and Iran soon will not be able to give arms to you, believe me!)
Previous Turkish generations, didn’t take the Armenian propaganda seriously, for them the issue was CLOSED after acquitting in Malta trials by British Army. As Mr.Sarkozy said in Algeria they thought “you can’t punish the sons for father’s mistakes’…But new TR generations are coming…watch out…will not be that silent, they know the rules of the game in this global village.
I would suggest Armenians to spend their money on food, not on arms and propaganda…
Peace!
Comment by a turk — 11/21/2006 @ 8:54 am
The way you are accentuating the discussion is a dead-end, so I won’t argue any of your points. Moreover, on a positive note, I will agree with you on that: Armenians should spend their money on food, not on arms and propaganda. I presume saying food, you mean a much more complex approach of global economic development of the country - not food in a literal meaning.
To be more constructive, I would suggest, that the Turks do the same, as the Turks who cannot make a living in Turkey have emigrated in such volumes, that they are flooding Europe: Germany, Austria, etc., and they are definitely more then the 40,000 Armenians, allegedly living in Turkey and making a living there.
Peace! …and courage to Turkey to become a truly democratic country. We, Armenians want to see a civilized country along our western border, instead of what we have now.
Comment by Observer — 11/23/2006 @ 6:08 pm
Why is the discussion a dead-end Observer? Armenia’s situation is deplorable it is a land locked nation with a tiny economy, corruption and criminal activities are rampant. Armenia and its diaspora hold on to unreliable allies like Russia and Iran. That will betray them anyway. It would be in Armenia’s best interest to have good relations with Turkey, otherwise its doomed.
You say that Turks flood Europe, Turkish workers were invited by these countries themselfes. First Turks arrived in Germany some 50 years ago. Now more and more Turks are going back to Turkey because of the high unemployment in western Europe. As a Turk living in western Europe I can say that Europe is finished they cant compete with either the USA or Asia, because of the aging population. Infact more Turks are returning then Turks leaving for Europe.
Comment by Orhan — 12/4/2006 @ 10:33 pm