CENTRAL BOARD OF JEWS IN GERMANY ASKS TURKEY TO RECOGNIZE THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

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Stephan J. Kramer is the Secretary General of the Central Council of
Jews in Germany

Question: Recently, the ARD showed the film "Aghet – a Genocide"
by Eric Friedler, triggering a global discussion. April 24, 2010
marks the 95th Anniversary of the start of Turkish crimes against
the Armenians. What are your thoughts on this issue?

Stephan J. Kramer: The discussion about the genocide of the Armenians
has been going on for decades with a passion. Unfortunately, the
issue has been all too often opportunistically sacrificed on the
altar of international political interests and dependencies to the
NATO-member Turkey. Even Israeli and American governments have not
covered themselves with glory on this issue. The film has made a
significant contribution to the debate. For the first time, existing
historical material worked well for the average public. Previously this
had not succeeded. I agree with the views of Gunter Grass, that the
film should be broadcast on Turkish television without ifs and buts.

Question: Some have labeled the film as "propaganda". What do you say?

Stephan J. Kramer: The propaganda charge is a popular but inadequate
attempt to extricate oneself from the truth when the objective burden
of proof presented is overwhelming. The film is based on historical
material from international sources that are accessible to everyone.

Even in Germany, the former allies of Turkey, there are these reports
and memos about the terrible crimes in the archives of the Foreign
Office. Back in July 1915, the German Ambassador Wangenheim reported
to the Foreign Office in Berlin, that there is "no doubt that they
are trying to wipe out the Armenian race in the Turkish Empire."

Question: Was it a genocide?

Stephan J. Kramer: Because of the facts known to me, I say that it was
a genocide. But the more important question is how to judge the Turkish
government and the Turkish people for this crime. Already in 1998,
the Council of Europe recognized the crimes against the Armenians as
genocide. The US-Congress’ Foreign Affairs Committee, in March 2010,
albeit by a narrow majority, approved a resolution that stated that it
was a genocide. The vast majority of international scientists concur
with this view. All of this is beneficial but not worth much, if the
Turkish government does not finally start to use the comprehensive
and internationally-known facts to draw their own conclusions. This
is not about the Turkey of today. But they must point an admonitory
index finger to the deeds of their great-grandfathers collectively
and humiliate them on the international dock. The process of working
this out must finally be put in motion.

Question: What conclusions can be drawn now? What do you expect
from Turkey?

Stephan J. Kramer: Turkey is a fascinating country undergoing change.

It deserves to be treated with respect. I therefore hope, first,
that Turkey recognizes the need for a formal declaration to be put
into action. Second, grief and sympathy in the Turkish collective
entities should be forthcoming, and I have the feeling this is already
growing in readiness. The darkest chapter of German history has shown
that only after the Germans saw the horrors of their Nazi past they
could begin to live with the past and overcome it. Both events are
not comparable, but apply to all of us. Only those who deal with the
past can conquer the future