Sorry, No Apology from Turkey to Armenians

  • 2 minute read
Total
0
Shares
0
0
0
Share
0 people shared the story
0
0
0
0

A Decrease font size. A Reset font size. A Increase font size.

At Least Not Yet

Globe & Mail Editorial, 23 April 2014

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s expression of condolence to the grandchildren of Armenians killed in the First World War by the Ottoman Empire did not go far enough – but it is a welcome gesture, and a start.

The statement is not an apology, but it is still significant. It represents the first time a Turkish prime minister has used such conciliatory language to discuss what happened in 1915. At least 21 countries have officially labelled as genocide the First World War slaughter of 1.5 million Armenians. Most Turks, however, still believe what transpired simply was an unintended consequence of a complicated war in which many suffered. In the past, those who challenged that narrative paid dearly – some with prison time and others with their lives.

Some Armenian analysts have said Mr. Erdogan’s words represent an “olive branch” and an “expression of humanity.” At the very least it shows a willingness to talk. It’s too soon to tell whether the statement will pave the way for an apology – something Mr. Erdogan has demonstrated a capacity for in the past, when he apologized for the 1937-38 massacres against the Dersim Kurds.

If he were searching for inspiration, he could refer to an open letter published in 2008, by a group of Turkish academics and writers: “My conscience does not accept the insensitivity showed to and the denial of the Great Catastrophe 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. I apologize to them,” they wrote.

At that time, Mr. Erdogan dismissed it: “They [the intellectuals] must have committed genocide because they are apologizing. The Turkish Republic has no such problem,” he said. Today, his softened stance could prove a possible precursor to reconciliation – which would mean Turkey going much further in acknowledging what happened 99 years ago.

Total
0
Shares
Share 0
Tweet 0
Pin it 0

2 comments

  1. “Shared Pain”

    Turkey's PM Recep Tayep Erdogan's expression that the "events" of the First World War were "shared pain" is a carefully-crafted expression to yet again deny Turkish government's genocide of its Armenian citizens and to mislead people unfamiliar with Turkey's horrific crime. The "events" Mr. Erdogan is trying to mitigate was genocide. Among many authorities, historians, organizations which recognize it as such is the International Association of Genocide Scholars, the leading authority on genocides.

    The "pain" Mr. Erdogan mentions was inflicted by Turkey on its Armenian citizens. Unarmed Armenian civilians did not inflict pain on the Turkish army, Turks or Turkey. It was not a mutually inflicted pain. The Turkish pain was self-inflicted. Hoping that Germany and Austria-Hungary would win the First World War, the Turkish leadership joined them against Britain, France, and Russia. Turkey was defeated. It suffered casualties and lost lands it had occupied for 500 years. There's no "shared pain".
     

    Jirair Tutunjian

  2. Erdogan

    Erdogan is no ones fool, he is  preparing the citizens of Turkey for the apology that's coming next year.

    Diaspora Armenians will be offered Turkish citizenship, Ararat and Ani will be given to its rightful owners in return of peace with the Azeris.

    My concern is if the border is opened, there will be a big WHOOSH sound of Armenians moving to Turkey.

    I have been wrong before, so don't hold your breath.

Comments are closed.

You May Also Like