A Genocide, a Turkish apology and an Armenian thank you
By Dr Armen Gakavian
Published in Garoon Monthly, Sydney, March 2009
In December 2008, a group of Turkish intellectuals published the following
apology:
"My conscience does not accept the insensitivity shown to and the
denial of the Great Catastrophe [Medz Yeghern] that the Ottoman Armenians
were subjected to in 1915. I reject this injustice and for my share, I
empathize with the feelings and pain of my Armenian brothers and sisters. I
apologize to them."
This brave and moving statement was posted at ,
and the accompanying petition has now been signed by over 30,000 Turks
around the world. Some Armenians have criticized this apology as inadequate
because it does not mention the word "Genocide". Others see it as a way for
Turkey to wriggle its way out of a full state apology and compensation. I
understand the concerns but am more interested in the opportunities. This
Turkish apology is an important step in the right direction, and has put yet
another dent in the Turkish "wall of silence". And I personally know of many
Turks who have signed the petition because they cannot stand by and let
injustice continue.
In response to this Turkish apology I, the grandchild of survivors of the
Armenian Genocide, wanted to acknowledge the hand that was being extended by
Turks of good conscience, and reply with gratitude. I also wanted to take
the opportunity to remind the reader of the need for a Turkish state
acknowledgment. I therefore prepared a draft response for discussion among
my Armenian friends and colleagues, with the hope that it might turn into an
Armenian petition.
A Turkish newspaper, Radikal Daily, found out about this initiative and I
agreed to an online interview. In my interview, I warmly welcomed the
Turkish initiative. I also emphasised that the apology is only the
beginning, and that there needs to be a Turkish state apology, followed by
corrective action. I wrote:
"The sincerity of a Turkish state apology will be measured by what
steps are then taken to reverse, as much as possible, the consequences of
the crime committed."
My interview was published in full on 1st February 2009. Unfortunately, the
editor’s introduction and accompanying column gave the impression that my
draft reply to the Turkish apology was the work of an organized group of
Armenians, and that an Armenian "counter-apology" was soon to be released.
Both claims were incorrect, the result of a misunderstanding. Other Turkish
and Armenian newspapers then reported me as saying that the Armenians should
apologise to the Turks; however I never stated such a thing.
What I did state in the interview was my personal view that all terrorist
acts and other killings (apart from acts of self-defense) committed were
morally unjustifiable and therefore regrettable, and that this principle
also applies to Armenians. My view on this is in line with universal
Christian teaching and modern international law.
However, I also made it clear that any Armenian acts of violence "cannot
compare to the attempted annihilation of an entire nation", adding that:
"If I were the Turkish state, I would see an apology as an excellent
way of restoring the dignity lost through decades of denial."
Emails I have received from a number of Turks who read my interview indicate
that my overall message – welcoming the Turkish apology and calling for
Turkish state acknowledgement – was not lost on those whose "conscience does
not accept the insensitivity shown to and the denial of the Great
Catastrophe that the Ottoman Armenians were subjected to in 1915."
There are a growing number of Turks who want to deal with their nation’s
dark past – a past that has engulfed both the Armenian and Turkish nations
in its tragic fury. These Turks form a small, young, fragile but rapidly
growing movement. We need to reach out to these Turks, and walk together
with them on the path of truth. But we cannot do so from behind the wall of
self-protection, defensiveness, prejudice and hatred.
Since the murder of Hrant Dink, I have had the privilege of meeting several
Turkish students and graduates in Sydney. I consider some of them my good
friends. We have spent many hours discussing the Genocide and other terrible
events of the past, the ongoing denial of those events by the Turkish
government, and how we can create a just and peaceful future. And, in May
2008, I had the privilege of speaking to a classroom of over 30 Turkish
university students and academics in Istanbul about Armenian-Turkish
relations and the Armenian Genocide.
We are at a crucial moment in the history of Armenian-Turkish relations.
More than ever, it is important for the two nations to engage with each
other at both the political and grassroots level. We must continue the twin
struggle for recognition and reconciliation. We cannot have one without the
other. Everyone – governments, political parties, community groups,
religious groups and individuals – must get involved.
"My conscience refuses" . to stand by and watch, when so many Turks are
asking the hard questions and making brave choices. They are risking their
lives and deserve our support.