ARMENIANS GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN

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Aug 28 2009

Genocide: the deliberate and systematic destruction of a racial,
political, or cultural group (1944) (Merriam-Webster)

In 1908 the Committee of Union and Progress (CUP) took power of
Turkey. This groups was, for all intents and purposes, believed by
the western world to be a democratic assembly. It was believed that
they would put liberal terms in place within the Ottoman Empire. The
sad reality was that their nationalist beliefs far outweighed their
liberal political views. Mid 1914, World War I broke out and the
CUP opted to abrogate on the sovereignty of the Armenian areas of
the Empire. Soon thereafter the Ottoman Empire, much to the world’s
dismay, joined the war as well. The battle of Sarikamish delivered
a detrimental blow to the Ottoman Third Army, who in turn blamed the
Armenians and labeled them as a whole perfidious people. (Segesser)

The subject of genocide in Armenia is not a new one. It is in fact a
genocide that occurred nearly one hundred years ago, gaining momentum
in 1915 and not ceasing until 1919. Upwards of 1.5 million people,
women and children not spared were brutally forced from their homes
into the desert and either bludgeoned with bayonets, or left to starve
to death. While Turkey insists that these numbers are grossly inflated,
there is clear evidence of wrong-doing. It is a travesty that only
in recent years has the United States government been "considering"
acknowledging these atrocities as genocide. The U.S. is reluctant to
concede to this disclosure solely due to the fact that Turkey is one
of America’s closest aides in the war on terrorism in Iraq. Turkey
banning much needed use of their airspace for military war efforts
fuels the fear of ruffling feathers. The only culpable solution to
this dilemma is for the U.S. to take responsibility for standing
by and allowing these atrocities to continue and accept whatever
consequences Turkey bestows on them.

In April 1915, the deportations began of Armenians and Greeks, both
of Christian belief systems. The deportations grew in size and number
followed by mass killings of non-Turkish people, mostly Armenian. No
one was spared; pity was not given to women or children, not even
infants. One Armenian Catholic Bishop from Trabzon, the hub of these
atrocities, reported this ghastly scene:

""Having gathered together 1,000 little children, the governor-general
Mustafa Abdulhalik led them to a place called Tashod where he had
them burnt to death in the presence of notables and Turkish crowds,
at the same time shouting at the top of his voice, "It is necessary
to erase once and for all the Armenian name in these provinces for
the security of Turkey." Their remains, along with those still alive,
were afterwards thrown into ditches prepared especially beforehand;
the moans of those not yet completely consumed could be heard for
days." (Dadrian)

Very early on in 1915 the world was made aware of the atrocities
occurring in the region, yet most were very hesitant to get
involved. Henry J. Morgenthau Sr. was a chief voice in America,
he sent multiple correspondences to the White House depicting the
events and imploring action. President Woodrow Wilson empathized
with the Armenian’s plight, but never endeavored to actually aide in
their liberation. Much press was made of the Armenian genocide which
resulted in many American’s giving money for aide groups but there was
not enough public reinforcement to give reason for action. By entering
the war and not declaring one on Turkey as well, America became hard
pressed to force any type of resolution on Turkish government. Their
policy of non-interference was a slap in the face to the Armenians,
practically condoning the Turks behavior. (Cook)

Eventually the Turk’s resolve waned, but still, no one was brought to
trial. Even today, we balk at using the term "genocide" to describe
thousands upon thousands being brutally slaughtered or left to die
of starvation. In October of 2006, France took a much needed step in
the right direction when lawmakers passed a bill making it illegal,
with fines up to $56,000, to deny that the Turkish killed mass
quantities of Armenian. Those contesting this measure can also face
jail time. () In 2007 a congressional panel passed a
bill that would recognize these killings as genocide, much to President
Bush’s consternation, but once arriving for the house approval, fell
short on necessary votes to pass. () Bush was concerned
about the bill passing. Why? You guessed it. Airspace. Turkey,
meanwhile, believes that since it did not pass then it should not be
brought about again.

President Barack Obama made a solemn vow when running for his
prestigious post. He vowed to recognize the Armenian Genocide and
call it appropriately. He made this statement:

"Two years ago, I criticized the Secretary of State for the firing
of U.S. Ambassador to Armenia, John Evans, after he properly used
the term ‘genocide’ to describe Turkey’s slaughter of thousands of
Armenians starting in 1915. … as President I will recognize the
Armenian Genocide." ()

However, on April 24th, 2009, the international day of remembrance
of the unspeakable atrocities, he chose to tiptoe around the word for
fear it may upset any peace talks between the two countries. Armenians
everywhere were outraged by this blatant omission. In Obama’s statement
he made it clear that his opinions of the matter had not changed, as
well as alluding to "unspeakable acts" occurring on that day years
ago, yet he refused to say the word "genocide". It was a palpable
avoidance of the word. Nothing more.

This is not the first time America has stood by and allowed weaker
people to be ravaged. In Rwanda, then President Bill Clinton knew of
the atrocities occurring and apologized after the fact, stating he
did not know the gravity of the situation. In fact, Mr. Clinton was
well aware of the issues at hand, and even had the military resources
to help, yet not only did nothing but convinced other to pull out all
aide they offered. (Kaufmann) Kosovo is yet another genocide occurring
on Clinton’s watch. Even now, countless Darfuri citizens are dying
every day while our fine President, who vowed to take action, has
done nothing. Sitting by indolent, we as a country are saying that
the mass slaughtering of innocent people is ok. Here is the proof, the
Armenian Genocide was a precursor to the Holocaust and Adolf Hitler,
the leader of the regime out to exterminate Jews, had this to say:

"Go, kill without mercy . . . who today remembers the annihilation
of the Armenians?" ()

As long as this carnage and bloodshed is allowed to continue
unmitigated and unpunished, no single group will ever stop and ponder
the effects of their actions. While we cannot undo the Armenian
genocide there is a small chance to mend some old hurts, the only
way to do this is for our country to concede to facts. The fact of
the matter is over a million people died, and we did nothing.