Category: Armenian Question

By Betty Apigian Kessel

DETROIT — Who better than a specialist in the field of mental health to research and write about the events of the Armenian Genocide?

The Tekeyan Cultural Association (TCA), Detroit Chapter on Saturday, April 9, hosted Dr. Rita Kuyumjian, assistant professor of psychiatry at Montreal’s McGill University to do her presentation of her three-volume work titled Trilogy: April 24, 1915 Before and After — The Lives of The Survivors. The event was held at the Hagopian World of Rugs Showroom in Birmingham.

Kuyumjian was introduced by Edmond Azadian, who asked for a moment of silence for Edgar Hagopian, the recently-deceased owner of the showroom which hosts many literary and musical events for the local Armenian community.

Azadian also made a profound statement, saying, “Turkish Prime Minister Recep Erdogan is always asking for proof of the Genocide and now it is here in Dr. Kuyumjian’s books.”

Allah himself could tell the Turks to acknowledge their crime against mankind and they still would persist in denying their culpability.

Regrettably, much of Armenian recorded historical information be it literary, musical or religious has been lost, destroyed or displaced. Kuyumjian’s scholarly research has unearthed information enhancing our view and understanding of the ghastly events that took place before and after April 24, 1915.

Edmond Azadian and Dr. Rita Kuyumjian

We all have heard of the round up of Armenian intellectuals in Istanbul as to how the Ottoman Turks planned to put an end to the matter of the Armenian Question. We know it as the Armenian Genocide. There were so many writers, lawyers, statesmen, intellectuals of every ilk, the cream of the crop as they are referred to, that perished at the hand of the Turks.

It was appalling that individual Armenians had been observing, spying on the activities of their fellow countrymen, compiling lists of their names and handing these lists over to the Turks for the roundup and eventual killings of hundreds of Armenian intellectuals. When Kuyumjian was asked by an audience member what happened to the Armenian traitors, she said they were killed by the Dashnags. A thin ripple of approval from the audience was audible.

That is another tragic part of Armenian history, how the Turks instilled fear in Armenians by promising them safety if they tattled or spied on their own brethren.

Kuyumjian described the victims thusly: “These men were intellectuals, better educated than you or I.” Many of them had attended the finest universities of Europe.

So what were they doing in Istanbul? Did they know their lives could be endangered? Someone during the question-and-answer period posed the question whether the Armenian intellectuals knew their drive for human rights for the Armenians could lead to their demise. She replied they surely did but as the intellectual leaders of their people they had a mission and bravely faced the consequences and we all now know what their fate was.

It is appropriate. Kuyumjian came to Detroit prior to the annual commemoration of April 24. She opened our eyes and ears to before unheard details of that period.

Kuyumjian’s work is a valuable addition documenting Armenian history. Those of us who are born in this country can no longer complain not enough of our history is written in English for us to consume. We are fortunate we can avail ourselves of researched material, educating us and giving us a sense of reality of what our people experienced during that period.

It is of utmost importance that we support all authors who take on the tedious task of doing translations into English by buying their books. It is another way of remaining vigilant against the denying Turks. Books written in English are vital for succeeding generations of youth of Armenian heritage to give them a proud sense of who they are.

via Dr. Rita Kuyumjian Presents Trilogy to Detroit.

Vahe Sarukhanyan

23:53, April 28, 2011

“You are of course aware that genocides can also be perpetrated by individuals and not by governments.”

This was the remark made by Mensur Akgun, Director of the Global Political Trends Center (GPOT) in Istanbul where I had a chance to meet and talk with him during my stay here.

I had posed the following question, to Mensur Akgun.

Who should resolve the Armenian Genocide issue –political leaders or historians?

“The issue isn’t connected to historians. The Turkish side has numerous documents attesting to the fact that there was no premeditation. The Armenian side has just as many documents to the contrary. But if the historians can reach some general consensus, their conclusions can be presented to the politicians. Then, there is a good chance that the matter will go to arbitration. If the Genocide was carried out by specific individuals in specific location in Turkey, the Turks would be obliged to recognize it. But, of course, there would be political, juridical and historical elements involved. You are of course aware that genocides can also be perpetrated by individuals and not by governments. Each side could learn much from assembling historians, the development of political agreement and from the experience obtained in resolving that issue. By the way, even if we don’t achieve all this, and just are able to normalize relations, then no one will talk about the Genocide. It’s more likely that Turks and Armenians would commemorate April 24 together. Many people commemorate April 24 as a day of calamity and not genocide. Of course, there will be certain Armenians and Turks not content with this but this displeasure won’t make a difference. We must act so that this issue is no longer up for political discussion. Naturally, it can continue to be a matter for personal debate. Many of you have suffered, I have no doubts.”

The analyst says that the issue of rapprochement between Ankara and Yerevan periodically pops up on the official radar as an agenda item, but that Turkey doesn’t view it as a primary concern.

In contrast, Mr. Akgun argues that Armenia has two large problems with Turkey and Azerbaijan.

“Since there is hope for normalization, you discuss that issue at length. You always refer to history, which arises from the interests of your political circles, because otherwise you’d start to talk about other issues; for example corruption.

Mr. Akgun added that Turkey has many other problems besides this and points to the militarization of the country and the Kurdish issue.

Thus, he says that it is only logical that Turkey is more often discussed in Armenia than Armenia is in Turkey.

A similar view is expressed by Sabiha Gundogar, Foreign Affairs Program Officer at the TESEV (Turkish Economic and Social Studies Foundation).

“It is my impression that they want immediate improvement in relations in Armenia and that the border open tomorrow. They want recognition of the Genocide within one year. But the process in Turkey is a gradual one. The Armenian issue was never at the top of the list in Turkey and will never be.”

Mr. Akgun told me that Turkey is developing and becoming more self-confident. He said that Turkey would not benefit in a tangible way from opening the border with Armenia.

“Sure, tourists would come and go but there isn’t much trade going on. Also, sadly, you don’t have the natural resources like Azerbaijan. We can’t make the same investments in Armenia to get oil or gas. We have invested billions in Azerbaijan. Perhaps we could purchase a few refrigeration units and a handful of “Beko” stores in Yerevan, but not more. Your population is tiny and Armenia isn’t developed economically. We see no long-term economic potential in Armenia. There is no comparison with Azerbaijan. In addition, we regard the Azerbaijanis as brothers. That’s another story. If you had oil, then I can assure you that would have been a good reason to normalize relations.”

When I asked Aypars Gorgulu, anther analyst who works for Gundogar, is Armenia interests Turkey from an economic standpoint, he replied – “not really”.

“Turkey’s eastern regions aren’t that developed. Armenia is the same. Thus, the opening of the border would have limited economic repercussions. That’s not to say that Armenia isn’t interesting. I think that Turkey’s eastern districts would benefit somewhat from an open border. Turkey is heavily dependent on Georgia in many ways; the transit gas and oil pipelines. This makes Armenia an isolated island. An opening of the borders would create transit possibilities because even though the parties seek to isolate Armenia and focus on Georgia, the latter isn’t all that stable a country. We saw that with the war with Russia. Thus, we have to explore alternative paths. Armenia could greatly benefit from an opening of the border.

via Istanbul Diary: Turkish Analyst “Back Pedals” on Genocide Responsibility | Hetq online.