EUROPEAN ARMENIAN FEDERATION
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PRESS RELEASE
For immediate release
Contact :Talline Tachdjian
Tel/Fax :+32 2 732 70 27
CONFERENCE ON ARMENIANS IN TURKEY HELD AT EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT
— Green Party Touts Turkish Denialist Propaganda Line
Strasburg, France — A conference focusing on the plight of the Armenian
community in Turkey was held in the European Parliament on Tuesday April
12. The meeting was organized by European Parliament member Cem Özdemir
(Green, Germany).
The three speakers at the conference included Mr. Taner Akcam, historian
and former Turkish dissident; Mr. Etyen Mahçupyan, Turkish-Armenian
journalist for Zaman Daily; and, Mr. Hrant Dink, Editor of Agos, an
Armenian weekly in Turkey. They addressed the close to fifty attendees
participating in the conference organized by the Green Party, through the
assistance of the Turkish diplomatic corps.
The European Armenian Federation had cautioned EuroParliament members about
the likely Turkish government manipulation of the Armenian speakers on the
panel, pressuring the speakers to claim that all Armenian minority problems
would be solved simply by Turkey joining the EU and to refrain from
discussing
`taboo’ topics including the Armenian Genocide. Mr. Özdemir confirmed these
fears
in his opening remarks, clearly avoiding the use of the term `genocide.’
The invitation for the gathering itself stipulated that conference was
designed simply for `historical interpretation’ purposes.
Mr. Akcam during his presentation clearly demonstrated documented facts of
the Armenian Genocide as well as the tremendous denial machine created at
the Turkish Archives. He rejected all claims that discrepancies exist
between Turkish and Western archival sources, detailing how the Turkish
archives had been purged and are, for the most part, fabrications. He
concluded by reminding the attendees that those who were courageous enough
to try study the Turkish Archives have fallen victim to intimidation by
Turkish authorities.
Mr. Mahçupyan claimed that the term `genocide’, due to its legal
ramifications, hinders all dialogue. He stressed that the concepts of duty
and submission still define the relationship between the Turkish State and
its citizenry. He depicted a clear ideological connection between the
perpetrators of the Genocide and Kemalist state that replaced it. He went
on to blame both Turks and Armenians for the tragedy, arguing that today,
the `defense of identity has become identity’ of many Armenians. He touted
the Turkish propaganda line, stating that there are two versions – Armenian
and Turkish – to the events of the time.
Mr. Dink claimed that it was `too much to ask a state to define and qualify
what took place 90 years ago’ and it would be better to ask whether `the
State denies what it knows to be true’. He continued by praising recent
calls for the establishment of a commission of historians to examine facts
of the genocide, arguing that it is an opportunity for open discussion on
the topic. He stressed, however, that Armenia-Turkish relations should not
be limited to historical issues. Today’s political reality must take
precedence over history. Absolving the Turkish State of responsibility for
the Genocide, Dink urged the European nations and institutions to help
rebuild and strengthen Armenia-Turkey relations.
`The presentations of both the Armenian minority representatives from
Turkey were full of ambiguity and incoherence. It was clear that these
individuals, muted by fear, self-censored themselves bother in terms of
terminology used and on the ideological level,’ said Laurent Leylekian,
Executive Director of the European Armenian Federation. `Their speeches
dealt
with everything except the genocide,’ he added. `In reality, the purpose of
the conference was not to discuss recognition of the Armenian Genocide by
Ankara nor was it to alleviate the plight of Armenians living in Turkey.
Rather, its purpose was more, as described in the invitation, to avoid or
smooth over obstacles to Turkeys admission into the EU.’
`This conference is fit perfectly into Turkey’s strategy to exclude this
question from the international arena, reducing it to a mere spat over
details between the Turkish and Armenian societies,’ claimed
Leylekian. `The new approach lies in pitting the so-called `bad’ Armenians
from the Diaspora against the `good’ Armenians from Turkey, by making the
latter an instrument in its denialist policy. Nevertheless, the forced
self-censorship and the limits imposed on the hostages fool no one. The
Europeans should not fall into this trap as they had with the attempts at
reconciliation without prior genocide recognition. The situation is clear:
Turkey committed a crime that does not have a statute of limitations – the
Armenian Genocide – and it must assume responsibility, through full
recognition, in order to uphold European values. Genocide denial, today,
like the act of genocide 90 years ago, demonstrates a lack of understanding
of European values,’ continued Leylekian.
Leylekian concluded by stating that `Once again, this attempt by the
Greens, who have for many years now been fighting against the European
Parliament’s attempts to urge Turkey to recognize this genocide, appears
clearly inspired by diversion tactics initiated by the Turkish State.’
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