Choosing Turkey’s Past
The Armenian Genocide shouldn’t be cheapened by Congressional votes, but it must be recognized by the President and fully integrated with United States foreign policy. For more on the continuing relevance of the Genocide, see my oped in today’s Los Angeles Times.
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Great article Garin. You make us very proud.
You make us very proud? Are you kidding me?
I’m ashamed that you are an Armenian. First you say the text of the resolution is bad, and now this? Since when does only the president have the right to discuss foreign policy? Should the Congress not speak out about the genocide, the Holocaust, Rwanda, and Darfur? Should the Congress have no decision making about war? I really don’t know when you are getting these ideas.
It is sad that we Armenians do not tolerate dissent. You have written an excellent article whether one agrees with it or not. It deserves much thoughtful discussion. There are many important questions that I do not see discussed in our papers – not that our papers bother to invite such discussion. For example, What is the value of a House non-binding resolution which the Senate will reject? Does the attempt every year to have Congress unsuccessfully pass a genocide resolution enhance or weaken its eventual adoption? Is it really possible for Congress to pass a strong resolution (in contrast to a watered down one that is almost nonsensical) against the wishes of the Administration? If, as I believe, Turkey will not come to terms with its bloody past for at least another century, what is the point of a genocide resolution? These and a whole list of relevant issues should be openly discussed by Armenians without rancor.
A commenter posted the following on the wrong thread, so I’m pasting it here:
Outstanding column. Needed to be done. Thank you.
Just a few observations from an Armenian who doesn’t and has never depended on the empathy of the Turks for my mental health.
1. There was clearly a genocide of horrendous proportions perpetrated upon Armenians. Anyone who has done even minimal reading of history knows this (see Morgenthau).
2. The Executive Branch of the US government, as you apparently suggest, should deal with this in terms of placing America on record. But if it doesn’t, I’m not going to jump off a cliff. Are you?
3. And, most important, if the Turks deny the Genocide until eternity I, for one, will never feel less of an Armenian or less of a human being for my Armenianess. In fact, I and most of my intimate contemporaries have always felt this way and, incidentally, have felt special as Armenians. Until, that is, the nationalistic Armenian political machine in this country began suggesting that we are all somehow psychologially damaged goods and will continue to be until the Turks fess up. To which I emphatically respond, bullshit.
Art Ansoorian
Medill ’63
Garin, I simply wanted to say your op-ed was great. Don’t mind the bashings of those less intellectually inclined. I don’t understand how an appreciation for a multitude of perspectives is less Armenian than a blind conviction to empty nationalism…fueled by nothing more than love of self (over and above love of people or anything else!). Kick ass, Garin!
Edgar
UCLA
Hi fellow Armenian,
I was really impressed with your article..someone forwarded it to me and I am glad I read it. I am not sure if I agree with you about the integrity of the bill, but you make a good case and several great points. Thank you for being so brave.
How can anyone rest until this genocide is recognized by Turkey. Yes, we as Armenians know it was genocide and so does the entire world. The key is having Turkey recognize it as well.
If I come and burn your house down and the entire neighborhood and you know that I was the one to burn your house but I continually deny it, would you be OK with that? Where is the justice? Where is the apology?
As for mental anguish, this is not about mental anguish. This resolution is about justice and doing what’s right. How can ANY Armenian be against this resolution? This is absurd. Read the text of the resolution before anyone starts bashing it.
I though it was the best thing I’ve read as an articulate rationale for passing the resolution. Hovanissian was not against resolutions per se, just the tepid language of this one. Furthermore, it is a well established fact that foreign policy is the purview of the presidency which is NOT to say that congress has no say. I believe his point was that a more dig at Bush, whose postition should have been “don’t tread on my turf” rather than blather on about hurting the war on terror. Harout missed the point.
The resolutions have been subverted for decades. 2007 was notable in that some of the saboteurs, their minions and apologists were reluctantly exposed due to the unprecedented progress. They know the true facts and they must be unrelentingly put to the task of explaining their immoral stance.