Solidarity with the Victims of All Genocides
c/o The The Temple of Peace
Cathays Park , Cardiff, Wales
Email: [email protected]
Tel: 00447718982732
Speech for the Ankara 24th-25th April Genocide Conference by Eilian Williams
"Another way for Anatolia-
The Restoration of Turkish Armenia , the Return of crypto-Armenians and
crypto-Assyrians"
I bring with me today the perspective of the small nations of Europe
who are conscious that Genocidal intent was a common frature of all
colonial powers, whether British, Russian or Ottoman. The recent
Genocide Recognition resolutions of the Basque and Catalonian
parliaments, as well as the Recognition accorded in Wales and by the
majority of UK Parliamrmt members from WAles, Scotland and Northern
Ireland cannot be ignored by Turkey as these nations have no political
interests in antagonizing Turkey but have long ethical democratic
traditions
The issue of Reparations for the Genocide has a sound base in
Natural Justice, and the whole issue of future Armenian-Turkish
relations cannot be divorced from Reparations. Let us not forget though
thr culpability of the former Great Powers, especially Britain, in
legitimizing the award to Turkey of her present borders as a prize for
the succesful Genocide of her Armenian and Syriac/Assyrian population .
Turkey’s entry into the European Union will undoubtedly mean that the
European Union assumes a great part of Turkey’s liability for
reparations. This offers the prospect of diverting part of the potential
benefits of EU Membership into the "Great Project" of the Restoration of
"Turkish" or Western Armenia
The denial of the 1915 Genocide by Turkey is contradicted by another of
its positions ,namely the non-existance or disappearance of Turkish
Armenia. Tukey cannot cotinue to maintain these contradictory
positions.
I propose that there is another possible path for Turkey, by which it
may be able to avoid a substantial transfer of land in Reparations. We
are talking not only about the Restoration of the Armenian and Syriac
Cultural heritage of Western Armenia but also Restoration of a People to
their proper identity. Two million Armenians and Syriacs lost from
Anatolia in 1915 can be recovered today if Turkey creates the right
conditions for the "Crypto"-Armenians, and "Crypto" Assyrians to return
to their true identities. It is still dangrerous for this to happen in
many parts of Turkey. To start with they must be allowed to state their
identities as they wish in a future census eg Muslim Armenian , or
Turkified Armenian or Kurdified Armenian. (and Kurdified Assyrian). The
Armenian language must be offered in large areas of Van , Bitlis,
Erzerum Sivas etc. Further a number of Armenian and Syriac Churches must
be quickly restored. We witmess no quick developments in the restoration
of Tasharon Church in Malatya. The restoration and reopening of this
Church in memory of Hrant would give encouragement for many to return to
their true identities. Similarly the Syriac language must be taught and
given official recognition..
In parallel with this, restoration of Kurdish Armenians and
Assyrians, which in theory should be easier, may lead to significant
changes.in attittudes. Kurdish movements, though progressive on
Genocide recognition, seem to be quite silent on this issue
It is recognized that this Return and Restoration will be a slow and
painful process for many.. These people must be enticed and loved back..
Perhaps we are doing too little to help the emancipation of them. If
we try to help them today, perhaps their children will one day return.
This process must be seen by the state and religious authorities as
acceptable.Muslim authorities could recognize publicly that the forced
conversions of 1915 was a crime, and that the descendants should be
encouraged to assume their rightfull identity without fear of
retribution.
I will never forget the kindness shown to me by Muslim Armenians
and coming to Turkey for
the first time has changed my life. Also, Since Hrant’s death, I have
shaken the hands of sympathetic ethnic
Turks for the first time and I believe that (in Hrant’s words),my
"poisoned blood" towards Turks
is being cleansed.
For "pure" Turks and others who are half-, quarter- or one-eighth
Armenian, what are they to do? Was the cry " "Ermeni Hepimiz " only for
Hrant’s funeral? Or should we take it literally? We can all search for
partial Armenian identity, whether by learning the language or by
appreciating the beauty of their Christianity:a religion of forgiveness.
There is a beautiiful saying in Armenian " Tsavodzanem " – (" I
take your pain") , but one cannot say it without being close to the soul
of the recipient. By taking some steps to show that we really mean
"Ermeni Hepimiz" perhaps Armenians will allow us one day to say
"Tsavodzanem"