TURKISH SCHOLAR EXPOSES ANKARA’S VAIN ATTEMPT TO SPLIT ARMENIA FROM DIASPORA
By Harut Sassounian

AZG Armenian Daily
04/02/2009

International

In their persistent efforts to distort the facts of the Armenian
Genocide, Turkish denialists resort to all sorts of tricks. Their
latest scheme is trying to drive a wedge between Armenia and the
Diaspora by claiming that authorities in Yerevan are all too willing
to forget about the Genocide and reconcile with Turks, were it not
for the "sinister influence" of Diaspora Armenians who constantly
undermine all attempts at reconciliation between Armenia and Turkey.

Prime Minister Recep Erdogan, during a press conference in Ankara last
week, claimed that "the Armenian Diaspora is plotting. We can see
very clearly and sharply that their efforts are aimed at utilizing
[the Armenian Genocide issue]. This is so obvious. But I also see
that the current administration in Armenia doesn’t take part in this."

Significantly, it was Turkish scholar Taner Akcam who exposed the false
arguments of all those who share Prime Minister Erdogan’s false notion
that Armenia and the Diaspora are split on the issue of recognition
of the Armenian Genocide. In a recent issue of the Turkish newspaper
Taraf, Prof. Akcam wrote a lengthy analysis of Turkish misperceptions
and misrepresentations on this issue. He argued against the view that
"good neighbor" Armenia and the "bad" Diaspora have opposing views on
the Armenian Genocide. Prof. Akcam correctly stated that Armenians
everywhere agree that what occurred in 1915 was genocide and feel
that it needs to be acknowledged by Turkey. He noted, however, that
there are differences among Armenians (regardless of where they live)
about the consequences of such an acknowledgement.

Prof. Akcam dismissed the Turkish claim that "the Armenian state
has not been very insistent on the subject of ‘recognition of the
Genocide.’" Most Turkish analysts wrongly allege, according to Akcam,
that Armenia is a very "good" neighbor to Turkey and that it reflects
its "goodness" by "refraining from use of the word ‘Genocide’ and by
not demanding ‘recognition’" during the course of Pres. Gul’s visit
to Armenia last September. Turkish analysts further claim that "the
Armenian state is seriously in the grip of and under the influence
of the ‘bad’ diaspora." They conclude that "in order to relieve
Turkish-Armenian tension, ‘our good neighbor Armenia’ must be saved
from the ‘bad’ diaspora."

According to Prof. Akcam, Turkish analysts falsely claim that "the
biggest reason why Armenia has fallen under the influence of the
‘bad’ diaspora" is "poorly conceived Turkish policies. As a result,
in order to save Armenia from the diaspora, Turkey must relinquish its
bad policies and foster ‘good’ relations with Armenia. Consequently,
Armenia will be able to distance itself from the bad policies of the
diaspora, policies like ‘insisting on recognition of genocide.’"

Prof. Akcam categorically refuted those allegations by stating that
"when it comes to acknowledging the genocide, Armenia and the diaspora
are on the same page. It is improper to draw a distinction between
the sides on an axis of ‘those who insist on recognition and those
who do not.’ It needs to be emphasized right here, right now, that
Armenians everywhere agree that what occurred in 1915 was genocide
and they feel that it needs to be acknowledged by Turkey."

Prof. Akcam then acknowledged that there may be legitimate differences
among Armenians, regardless of whether they live in Armenia or the
Diaspora, on such complex subjects as "what does it mean to recognize
the genocide?" and "on the issue of addressing an historical injustice,
what steps Turkey might take that will be considered sufficient?"

Prof. Akcam then wondered which option Turkey should pursue — the
Japanese or German model — in confronting its history? The Japanese
model, he explained, would entail a "half-hearted expression" of
apology. The German model, on the other hand, constitutes "acceptance
of all consequences that arise from that acknowledgement, including
providing reparations if necessary, would be required. To follow
in Germany’s footsteps, Turkey would have to identify the events of
1915 as genocide and make serious effort to compensate all who were
injured by those events both emotionally and materially." He thus
raised the serious issue of bringing "restorative justice" to the
victims of the Armenian Genocide.

It is high time that Turkish denialists face squarely the brutal
history of their nation and focus their attention on making amends
to heal the wounds of the past rather than seeking to blame the
descendants of the victims of the Armenian Genocide, be they in
Armenia or the Diaspora!