AZG Armenian Daily #068, 16/04/2005
Armenian Genocide
TRUSTWORTHY TESTIMONIES FROM FOREIGN MINISTRY OF GERMANY
“The trustworthiness of the German testimonies concerning the Armenian
Genocide is grounded by the strong political and military cooperation that
united the Imperial Germany and the Imperial Turkey during the years of the
World War I. The network of the German diplomats and military
representatives that were in Turkey had the exclusive opportunity to send
testimonies without any censorship. “The trustworthiness of the testimonies
that were send to Germany entitles “Top Secret” are conditioned with the
factor that they were envisaged for “inner” usage and not for publication,”
Professor Vahagn Tatrian, from Zorian Institute stated, on the occasion of
the publication of the volume that includes the diplomatic documents as of
1915-16, belonging to the German Foreign Ministry and concerning the
Armenian Genocide.”
Besides the Americans, that occupied a neutral position in the war till
April 6, 1917, the German officials (including those who worked on the
construction of Baghdad railway or in various missionary organizations) were
free to travel in Turkey and enter whatever place they wished. Their
testimonies are very precious as ones given by foreign witnesses.
“We are glad to see the results of the efforts taken by Wolfgang and Sigrid
Gusts and we are proud that we can support such researches, the translation
and edition of the testimonies, particularly, with the active assistance of
Zorian Institute and Professor Vahagn Tatrian,” Greg Sargsian, chairman of
Zorian Institute said.
“Armenian Genocide, 1915-16. Documents from the archive of the German
Foreign Ministry” volume has 675 pages and contains 218 telegrams, letters
and references of great importance. Today, the German society displays
serious interest for Germany’s responsibility in the sphere of the human
rights violation, when in the beginning of this academic year, “The Armenian
Genocide” subject was excluded from the educational program under the
pressure of the Turks in Brandenburg region. And, finial, there are huge
contradictions in the country concerning Turkey’s membership to the EU. The
opposition parties demand from the parliament to recognize the Armenian
Genocide.
George Shirinian, head of Zorian Institute, said they had to work hard to
translate the documents from the old Suderlin and Gothic variants of the
German language, praising the research made by Gust.
It’s worth adding that Wolfgang Gust is the former editor of the
international news section of a famous German weekly Die Spiegel. He is also
the author of two books dedicated to the Armenian history and genocide.
By Hakob Tsulikian