Khatchig Mouradian
November 15, 2007
For the past several months, the Jews of Turkey have been in the international spotlight. As Congress has debated the Armenian Genocide resolution, high-ranking Turkish officials have warned that Turkish Jews will be endangered if the resolution passes. And Jewish-American organizations such as the Anti-Defamation League have repeatedly cited the predicament of Turkish Jews as reason to support Turkey's campaign of genocide denial.
In an effort to better understand the plight of Turkish Jewry, I interviewed several prominent scholars who have studied the community.
To read the entire article, go to:
http://www.jewcy.com/cabal/turkish_jews
Thursday, November 15, 2007
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Une Interview avec Serj Tankian
par Khatchig Mouradian
Traduction Valère
http://www.yevrobatsi.org/st/item.php?r=2&id=3799
Cet interview de Serj Tankian, leader de System of a down, a été réalisé le 16 octobre 2007 au Paradise Club à Boston, dans le Massassuchet. Serj est actuellement en tournée pour la promotion de son nouvel album, sorti le 23 octobre, intitulé “Elect the Dead”.
Khatchig Mouradian : Parle-moi de ton expérience sur le nouvel opus.
Serj Tankian : Faire ce disque a été une expérience très enrichissante, une expérience vraiment positive pour moi, et très organique. J’ai mon propre studio d’enregistrement, j’y vais et j’y enregistre comme cela me plaît. Parmi la centaine de chansons que j’ai écrites, j’ai pris celles qui se prêtaient bien à ma voix pour ce projet particulier. J’ai enregistré tous les pianos et la plupart des cordes ( j’ai intégré deux guitaristes mais j’ai écrit toutes les pièces à cordes), j’ai programmé tous les jeux de batterie que j’ai réintroduis plus tard pour les jouer en live, arrangé la plupart des guitares, la plupart des basses et des voix. L’essentiel est produit et enregistré par moi sur mon propre label, et distribué par Warner.
K.M. : Tu as déclaré : « Avec ce disque, j’assume le succès ou l’échec. Ca m’a fait comprendre que j’ai une vie étonnante et je fais tout pour que mes rêves deviennent réalité”. Parle-moi de ces rêves.
S.T. : En fait, je rêve chaque nuit. [rire]. J’adore faire de la musique et c’est devenu mon travail. C’était ma passion et maintenant c’est aussi mon travail. J’ai aussi consacré une partie de ma vie à apprendre d’autres choses autour de moi. Que ce soit spirituel, politique ou écologique. Et, tu vois, il y a beaucoup de choses que je veux accomplir.
Mais, pour moi, l’accomplissement n’est pas vraiment important. Ce n’est pas seulement le fait de sortir un album qui m’intéresse, mais le processus qui te fait rencontrer des gens différents, différents vidéastes, différents artistes, webdesigners et journalistes, de profiter et d’apprendre ce que ce processus génère.
K.M. . : Concernant ta chanson “The Unthinking Majority” (La majorité silencieuse), tu déclares “ Cette chanson ne ressemble à aucune autre de mon disque solo et est censée inspirer une action collective”. Quelle action collective voudrais-tu voir ?
S.T.: Dernièrement, j’ai voulu comprendre en profondeur ce que la civilisation signifie. Je pense qu’on est tous accros à cette chose qu’on appelle ‘civilisation” qui a commencé il y a 10.000 ans (ndlr ‘Before Present’ pour préciser). Nous les Arméniens avons été au commencement de la civilisation (ndlr il délire, pardonnez-le, mais on l’aime quand même – note du correcteur : je confirme, d’ailleurs on est pareils). Cela dit, nous ignorons qui nous étions avant la civilisation, avant même celle des Arméniens. Nous savons que nous avons eu de multiples dieux comme les Grecs et beaucoup d’autres cultures, mais nous n’en savons guère plus sur cette époque, ni d’où vient son véritable caractère spirituel. Donc, c’est très important pour moi d’explorer notre part indigène, pas seulement en tant qu’Arménien, mais en tant qu’être humain. Nous faisons partie d’une progression des choses sur cette planète. Beaucoup de changements radicaux se produisent et continuent de se produire, et c’est très important pour nous de savoir où nous nous situons.
K.M. : Tu as dit “La civilisation en elle-même n’est pas durable. La civilisation est terminée”. Tu peux expliquer ?
S.T.: Au rythme actuel de progression, basé sur une surpopulation et un taux accéléré de destruction des ressources naturelles mondiales, la civilisation n’ est scientifiquement pas tenable.
K.M. : Parle-nous du rôle de System of a Down joué dans...
S.T.: La fin de la civilisation? [Hahaha]. Ce serait une super question ! Excuse-moi, quelle était ta question ?
K.M. : Le rôle qu’a joué System of a Down dans ta carrière et dans ta vie.
S.T.: Ca été mon groupe pendant 11 ans. Ca a lancé ma carrière musicale. Y compris mes amis avec qui j’ai joué et auprès de qui j’ai appris, que j’ai aimés et aidés. Et cela m’a conduit à être ce que je suis aujourd’hui pour explorer le genre de styles artistiques que j’ai explorés et être capable d’avoir une plate-forme d’expression. Mais System of a down n’est pas une marque, c’est un collectif de 4 amis qui sont artistes et qui jouent ensemble quand ils le désirent. Et je fais partie de ce collectif, et ma voix fait toujours partie de ce collectif.
K.M. : Entre la musique, la poésie et l’activisme populaire, où est-ce que tu te situes et comment te sens-tu dans ces genres différents ?
S.T.: J’essaie tout, je suis mes envies, tu comprends ? Si je sens comme un appel et que je dois m’engager quelque part, partir et mettre en place quelque chose, ou si je sens que je dois écrire une chanson, tout cela fait partie de la progression naturelle de ma vie.
K.M. . : Qu’as-tu à déclarer au sujet du débat actuel concernant la résolution du génocide arménien ?
S.T.: Je viens juste d’en parler sur une radio de Boston. On ne peut nier un génocide ou la Shoah en se basant sur une opportunité politique. Ca n’a absolument aucun sens. Si nous affirmons, comme les Etats-Unis, que nous sommes une démocratie, alors nous devons nous regarder en face et nous demander : Pouvons-nous mentir sur un génocide, ou en différer la reconnaissance au nom d’intérêts géopolitiques ou stratégiques ou dans l’intérêt d’une occupation militaire injuste en soi? C’est tenter de défaire une erreur par une autre erreur et cela n’a aucun sens. Voilà pourquoi beaucoup de parlementaires souiennent cette résolution, qui a été votée au Comité des Affaires étrangères. Et je suis sûr qu’elle sera votée par la Chambre des Représentants. D’ailleurs elle a le soutien de sa présidente, Nancy Pelosi.
Je sens qu’il y aura toujours un prétexte. Vous savez, nous avons attendu 92 ans, mais là je veux aller plus loin et dire que la résolution n’est pas l’essentiel. La reconnaissance n’est qu’une part de la juste solution. Si des gens viennent chez moi, tuent ma famille et pillent ma maison, je ne vais pas leur courir après pendant cent ans en les suppliant de reconnaître ce crime. Ce serait absurde. Je les conduirais plutôt au tribunal et j’exigerais la justice. Et c’est ce dont nous devons faire en fin de compte. Mais bien sûr, nous savons que ceci est le premier pas, donc nous devons garder cela à l’esprit.
K.M. . : Toujours sur cette question, la Secrétaire d’Etat C. Rice a déclaré que le “Le vote de cette résolution sera en fait très problématique pour tout ce que nous essayons de faire au Moyen-Orient”.
S.T.: J’ai peur de tout ce qu’ils essaient de faire au Moyen Orient. J’espère que cette résolution leur remettra le cul en place. [ndlr rires]
--------
note :
Nancy Pelosi (née Nancy Patricia D’Alesandro le 26 mars 1940 à Baltimore), est une femme politique américaine, membre du parti démocrate et représentante du 8e district de Californie au Congrès des États-Unis depuis 1987. Elle est la chef de file du parti démocrate à la Chambre des représentants depuis 2002. Présidente de la Chambre des représentants depuis le 4 janvier 2007, elle est la première femme à accéder à un poste aussi élevé.
Traduction Valère
http://www.yevrobatsi.org/st/item.php?r=2&id=3799
Cet interview de Serj Tankian, leader de System of a down, a été réalisé le 16 octobre 2007 au Paradise Club à Boston, dans le Massassuchet. Serj est actuellement en tournée pour la promotion de son nouvel album, sorti le 23 octobre, intitulé “Elect the Dead”.
Khatchig Mouradian : Parle-moi de ton expérience sur le nouvel opus.
Serj Tankian : Faire ce disque a été une expérience très enrichissante, une expérience vraiment positive pour moi, et très organique. J’ai mon propre studio d’enregistrement, j’y vais et j’y enregistre comme cela me plaît. Parmi la centaine de chansons que j’ai écrites, j’ai pris celles qui se prêtaient bien à ma voix pour ce projet particulier. J’ai enregistré tous les pianos et la plupart des cordes ( j’ai intégré deux guitaristes mais j’ai écrit toutes les pièces à cordes), j’ai programmé tous les jeux de batterie que j’ai réintroduis plus tard pour les jouer en live, arrangé la plupart des guitares, la plupart des basses et des voix. L’essentiel est produit et enregistré par moi sur mon propre label, et distribué par Warner.
K.M. : Tu as déclaré : « Avec ce disque, j’assume le succès ou l’échec. Ca m’a fait comprendre que j’ai une vie étonnante et je fais tout pour que mes rêves deviennent réalité”. Parle-moi de ces rêves.
S.T. : En fait, je rêve chaque nuit. [rire]. J’adore faire de la musique et c’est devenu mon travail. C’était ma passion et maintenant c’est aussi mon travail. J’ai aussi consacré une partie de ma vie à apprendre d’autres choses autour de moi. Que ce soit spirituel, politique ou écologique. Et, tu vois, il y a beaucoup de choses que je veux accomplir.
Mais, pour moi, l’accomplissement n’est pas vraiment important. Ce n’est pas seulement le fait de sortir un album qui m’intéresse, mais le processus qui te fait rencontrer des gens différents, différents vidéastes, différents artistes, webdesigners et journalistes, de profiter et d’apprendre ce que ce processus génère.
K.M. . : Concernant ta chanson “The Unthinking Majority” (La majorité silencieuse), tu déclares “ Cette chanson ne ressemble à aucune autre de mon disque solo et est censée inspirer une action collective”. Quelle action collective voudrais-tu voir ?
S.T.: Dernièrement, j’ai voulu comprendre en profondeur ce que la civilisation signifie. Je pense qu’on est tous accros à cette chose qu’on appelle ‘civilisation” qui a commencé il y a 10.000 ans (ndlr ‘Before Present’ pour préciser). Nous les Arméniens avons été au commencement de la civilisation (ndlr il délire, pardonnez-le, mais on l’aime quand même – note du correcteur : je confirme, d’ailleurs on est pareils). Cela dit, nous ignorons qui nous étions avant la civilisation, avant même celle des Arméniens. Nous savons que nous avons eu de multiples dieux comme les Grecs et beaucoup d’autres cultures, mais nous n’en savons guère plus sur cette époque, ni d’où vient son véritable caractère spirituel. Donc, c’est très important pour moi d’explorer notre part indigène, pas seulement en tant qu’Arménien, mais en tant qu’être humain. Nous faisons partie d’une progression des choses sur cette planète. Beaucoup de changements radicaux se produisent et continuent de se produire, et c’est très important pour nous de savoir où nous nous situons.
K.M. : Tu as dit “La civilisation en elle-même n’est pas durable. La civilisation est terminée”. Tu peux expliquer ?
S.T.: Au rythme actuel de progression, basé sur une surpopulation et un taux accéléré de destruction des ressources naturelles mondiales, la civilisation n’ est scientifiquement pas tenable.
K.M. : Parle-nous du rôle de System of a Down joué dans...
S.T.: La fin de la civilisation? [Hahaha]. Ce serait une super question ! Excuse-moi, quelle était ta question ?
K.M. : Le rôle qu’a joué System of a Down dans ta carrière et dans ta vie.
S.T.: Ca été mon groupe pendant 11 ans. Ca a lancé ma carrière musicale. Y compris mes amis avec qui j’ai joué et auprès de qui j’ai appris, que j’ai aimés et aidés. Et cela m’a conduit à être ce que je suis aujourd’hui pour explorer le genre de styles artistiques que j’ai explorés et être capable d’avoir une plate-forme d’expression. Mais System of a down n’est pas une marque, c’est un collectif de 4 amis qui sont artistes et qui jouent ensemble quand ils le désirent. Et je fais partie de ce collectif, et ma voix fait toujours partie de ce collectif.
K.M. : Entre la musique, la poésie et l’activisme populaire, où est-ce que tu te situes et comment te sens-tu dans ces genres différents ?
S.T.: J’essaie tout, je suis mes envies, tu comprends ? Si je sens comme un appel et que je dois m’engager quelque part, partir et mettre en place quelque chose, ou si je sens que je dois écrire une chanson, tout cela fait partie de la progression naturelle de ma vie.
K.M. . : Qu’as-tu à déclarer au sujet du débat actuel concernant la résolution du génocide arménien ?
S.T.: Je viens juste d’en parler sur une radio de Boston. On ne peut nier un génocide ou la Shoah en se basant sur une opportunité politique. Ca n’a absolument aucun sens. Si nous affirmons, comme les Etats-Unis, que nous sommes une démocratie, alors nous devons nous regarder en face et nous demander : Pouvons-nous mentir sur un génocide, ou en différer la reconnaissance au nom d’intérêts géopolitiques ou stratégiques ou dans l’intérêt d’une occupation militaire injuste en soi? C’est tenter de défaire une erreur par une autre erreur et cela n’a aucun sens. Voilà pourquoi beaucoup de parlementaires souiennent cette résolution, qui a été votée au Comité des Affaires étrangères. Et je suis sûr qu’elle sera votée par la Chambre des Représentants. D’ailleurs elle a le soutien de sa présidente, Nancy Pelosi.
Je sens qu’il y aura toujours un prétexte. Vous savez, nous avons attendu 92 ans, mais là je veux aller plus loin et dire que la résolution n’est pas l’essentiel. La reconnaissance n’est qu’une part de la juste solution. Si des gens viennent chez moi, tuent ma famille et pillent ma maison, je ne vais pas leur courir après pendant cent ans en les suppliant de reconnaître ce crime. Ce serait absurde. Je les conduirais plutôt au tribunal et j’exigerais la justice. Et c’est ce dont nous devons faire en fin de compte. Mais bien sûr, nous savons que ceci est le premier pas, donc nous devons garder cela à l’esprit.
K.M. . : Toujours sur cette question, la Secrétaire d’Etat C. Rice a déclaré que le “Le vote de cette résolution sera en fait très problématique pour tout ce que nous essayons de faire au Moyen-Orient”.
S.T.: J’ai peur de tout ce qu’ils essaient de faire au Moyen Orient. J’espère que cette résolution leur remettra le cul en place. [ndlr rires]
--------
note :
Nancy Pelosi (née Nancy Patricia D’Alesandro le 26 mars 1940 à Baltimore), est une femme politique américaine, membre du parti démocrate et représentante du 8e district de Californie au Congrès des États-Unis depuis 1987. Elle est la chef de file du parti démocrate à la Chambre des représentants depuis 2002. Présidente de la Chambre des représentants depuis le 4 janvier 2007, elle est la première femme à accéder à un poste aussi élevé.
Saturday, November 10, 2007
Turkish PM: No Genocide, ‘We Even Gave the Armenian Deportees Pocket Money’
By Khatchig Mouradian
The Armenian Weekly
Nov. 10, 2007
WASHINGTON—On Nov. 5, after meeting with President Bush, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan gave a speech at the National Press Club in Washington, speaking mainly of U.S.-Turkish relations, the Kurdish issue and the Armenian Genocide Resolution, H.Res.106.
In his speech, Erdogan said that “it is sad for us to see” the introduction of a resolution that “renders legitimacy to the so-called Armenian genocide.” He stressed that the resolution “has the potential to deeply damage our strategic relations and it is important to ensure that is not discussed on the floor of Congress.”
“In fact, these Armenian allegations which are being kept constantly on the agenda in various countries have not been proven historically or legally,” Erdogan continued, repeating his call for a joint historical commission to examine what happened to the Armenians in 1915. When Erdogan suggested the idea of a “joint commission” in 2005, the International Association of Genocide Scholars (IAGS) sent him an open letter which read: “We are concerned that in calling for an impartial study of the Armenian Genocide you may not be fully aware of the extent of the scholarly and intellectual record on the Armenian Genocide. … We want to underscore that it is not just Armenians who are affirming the Armenian Genocide but it is the overwhelming opinion of scholars who study genocide: hundreds of independent scholars.”
Yet, at the National Press Club this week, Erdogan said he was sure there was never a genocide of the Armenians. “What took place was called deportation,” he said. “That was a very difficult time. It was a time of war.”
The Armenians, he argued, were provoked by other countries to rebel, leading to Ottoman Turkish government’s decision “to start deporting the Armenian citizens to other parts of the Empire.”
To show how well the Armenian deportees were treated, Erdogan—who made no reference to the killing of any Armenian—went so far as to say that the Ottoman government even provided the Armenians with pocket money. “…And we have documents in our archives which attest to this fact,” he said.
“There are all sorts of instructions about how people should be sent from one area to another, how much money is to be paid to them as pocket money as they travel. Those who counter [our thesis] must come up with their own documents, but there are no documents that they can show,” he charged.
A Leading Turkish Historian Responds
The Armenian Weekly contacted Turkish-born historian and sociologist Taner Akcam, professor of history at the University of Minnesota and author of A Shameful Act: The Armenian Genocide and the Question of Turkish Responsibility, to comment on Erdogan’s allegation.
“I haven’t seen any single Ottoman document that shows that money was given to Armenians,” Akcam said. “It is, indeed, true that the central government sent money to the regional authorities to cover the expenses of the deportations. Part of the revenues from plundering the possessions of the Armenians and auctioning them was used by the government to finance the deportations.”
Furthermore, Akcam said, “There is ample evidence that in the Eastern Anatolian regions like Eskishehir, Afyon and Konya, Armenians were partially ‘transported’ by train and were made to pay for their own tickets.
The Armenian Weekly
Nov. 10, 2007
WASHINGTON—On Nov. 5, after meeting with President Bush, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan gave a speech at the National Press Club in Washington, speaking mainly of U.S.-Turkish relations, the Kurdish issue and the Armenian Genocide Resolution, H.Res.106.
In his speech, Erdogan said that “it is sad for us to see” the introduction of a resolution that “renders legitimacy to the so-called Armenian genocide.” He stressed that the resolution “has the potential to deeply damage our strategic relations and it is important to ensure that is not discussed on the floor of Congress.”
“In fact, these Armenian allegations which are being kept constantly on the agenda in various countries have not been proven historically or legally,” Erdogan continued, repeating his call for a joint historical commission to examine what happened to the Armenians in 1915. When Erdogan suggested the idea of a “joint commission” in 2005, the International Association of Genocide Scholars (IAGS) sent him an open letter which read: “We are concerned that in calling for an impartial study of the Armenian Genocide you may not be fully aware of the extent of the scholarly and intellectual record on the Armenian Genocide. … We want to underscore that it is not just Armenians who are affirming the Armenian Genocide but it is the overwhelming opinion of scholars who study genocide: hundreds of independent scholars.”
Yet, at the National Press Club this week, Erdogan said he was sure there was never a genocide of the Armenians. “What took place was called deportation,” he said. “That was a very difficult time. It was a time of war.”
The Armenians, he argued, were provoked by other countries to rebel, leading to Ottoman Turkish government’s decision “to start deporting the Armenian citizens to other parts of the Empire.”
To show how well the Armenian deportees were treated, Erdogan—who made no reference to the killing of any Armenian—went so far as to say that the Ottoman government even provided the Armenians with pocket money. “…And we have documents in our archives which attest to this fact,” he said.
“There are all sorts of instructions about how people should be sent from one area to another, how much money is to be paid to them as pocket money as they travel. Those who counter [our thesis] must come up with their own documents, but there are no documents that they can show,” he charged.
A Leading Turkish Historian Responds
The Armenian Weekly contacted Turkish-born historian and sociologist Taner Akcam, professor of history at the University of Minnesota and author of A Shameful Act: The Armenian Genocide and the Question of Turkish Responsibility, to comment on Erdogan’s allegation.
“I haven’t seen any single Ottoman document that shows that money was given to Armenians,” Akcam said. “It is, indeed, true that the central government sent money to the regional authorities to cover the expenses of the deportations. Part of the revenues from plundering the possessions of the Armenians and auctioning them was used by the government to finance the deportations.”
Furthermore, Akcam said, “There is ample evidence that in the Eastern Anatolian regions like Eskishehir, Afyon and Konya, Armenians were partially ‘transported’ by train and were made to pay for their own tickets.
Turkish PM: No Genocide, We Even Gave the Armenian Deportees Pocket Money
By Khatchig Mouradian
The Armenian Weekly
Nov. 10, 2007
WASHINGTON—On Nov. 5, after meeting with President Bush, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan gave a speech at the National Press Club in Washington, speaking mainly of U.S.-Turkish relations, the Kurdish issue and the Armenian Genocide Resolution, H.Res.106.
In his speech, Erdogan said that “it is sad for us to see” the introduction of a resolution that “renders legitimacy to the so-called Armenian genocide.” He stressed that the resolution “has the potential to deeply damage our strategic relations and it is important to ensure that is not discussed on the floor of Congress.”
“In fact, these Armenian allegations which are being kept constantly on the agenda in various countries have not been proven historically or legally,” Erdogan continued, repeating his call for a joint historical commission to examine what happened to the Armenians in 1915. When Erdogan suggested the idea of a “joint commission” in 2005, the International Association of Genocide Scholars (IAGS) sent him an open letter which read: “We are concerned that in calling for an impartial study of the Armenian Genocide you may not be fully aware of the extent of the scholarly and intellectual record on the Armenian Genocide. … We want to underscore that it is not just Armenians who are affirming the Armenian Genocide but it is the overwhelming opinion of scholars who study genocide: hundreds of independent scholars.”
Yet, at the National Press Club this week, Erdogan said he was sure there was never a genocide of the Armenians. “What took place was called deportation,” he said. “That was a very difficult time. It was a time of war.”The Armenians, he argued, were provoked by other countries to rebel, leading to Ottoman Turkish government’s decision “to start deporting the Armenian citizens to other parts of the Empire.”
To show how well the Armenian deportees were treated, Erdogan—who made no reference to the killing of any Armenian—went so far as to say that the Ottoman government even provided the Armenians with pocket money. “…And we have documents in our archives which attest to this fact,” he said.
“There are all sorts of instructions about how people should be sent from one area to another, how much money is to be paid to them as pocket money as they travel. Those who counter [our thesis] must come up with their own documents, but there are no documents that they can show,” he charged.
A Leading Turkish Historian Responds
The Armenian Weekly contacted Turkish-born historian and sociologist Taner Akcam, professor of history at the University of Minnesota and author of A Shameful Act: The Armenian Genocide and the Question of Turkish Responsibility, to comment on Erdogan’s allegation.
“I haven’t seen any single Ottoman document that shows that money was given to Armenians,” Akcam said. “It is, indeed, true that the central government sent money to the regional authorities to cover the expenses of the deportations. Part of the revenues from plundering the possessions of the Armenians and auctioning them was used by the government to finance the deportations.”
Furthermore, Akcam said, “There is ample evidence that in the Eastern Anatolian regions like Eskishehir, Afyon and Konya, Armenians were partially ‘transported’ by train and were made to pay for their own tickets.
The Armenian Weekly
Nov. 10, 2007
WASHINGTON—On Nov. 5, after meeting with President Bush, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan gave a speech at the National Press Club in Washington, speaking mainly of U.S.-Turkish relations, the Kurdish issue and the Armenian Genocide Resolution, H.Res.106.
In his speech, Erdogan said that “it is sad for us to see” the introduction of a resolution that “renders legitimacy to the so-called Armenian genocide.” He stressed that the resolution “has the potential to deeply damage our strategic relations and it is important to ensure that is not discussed on the floor of Congress.”
“In fact, these Armenian allegations which are being kept constantly on the agenda in various countries have not been proven historically or legally,” Erdogan continued, repeating his call for a joint historical commission to examine what happened to the Armenians in 1915. When Erdogan suggested the idea of a “joint commission” in 2005, the International Association of Genocide Scholars (IAGS) sent him an open letter which read: “We are concerned that in calling for an impartial study of the Armenian Genocide you may not be fully aware of the extent of the scholarly and intellectual record on the Armenian Genocide. … We want to underscore that it is not just Armenians who are affirming the Armenian Genocide but it is the overwhelming opinion of scholars who study genocide: hundreds of independent scholars.”
Yet, at the National Press Club this week, Erdogan said he was sure there was never a genocide of the Armenians. “What took place was called deportation,” he said. “That was a very difficult time. It was a time of war.”The Armenians, he argued, were provoked by other countries to rebel, leading to Ottoman Turkish government’s decision “to start deporting the Armenian citizens to other parts of the Empire.”
To show how well the Armenian deportees were treated, Erdogan—who made no reference to the killing of any Armenian—went so far as to say that the Ottoman government even provided the Armenians with pocket money. “…And we have documents in our archives which attest to this fact,” he said.
“There are all sorts of instructions about how people should be sent from one area to another, how much money is to be paid to them as pocket money as they travel. Those who counter [our thesis] must come up with their own documents, but there are no documents that they can show,” he charged.
A Leading Turkish Historian Responds
The Armenian Weekly contacted Turkish-born historian and sociologist Taner Akcam, professor of history at the University of Minnesota and author of A Shameful Act: The Armenian Genocide and the Question of Turkish Responsibility, to comment on Erdogan’s allegation.
“I haven’t seen any single Ottoman document that shows that money was given to Armenians,” Akcam said. “It is, indeed, true that the central government sent money to the regional authorities to cover the expenses of the deportations. Part of the revenues from plundering the possessions of the Armenians and auctioning them was used by the government to finance the deportations.”
Furthermore, Akcam said, “There is ample evidence that in the Eastern Anatolian regions like Eskishehir, Afyon and Konya, Armenians were partially ‘transported’ by train and were made to pay for their own tickets.
Friday, November 2, 2007
The Washington Post Perpetuates a Destructive Myth
By Khatchig Mouradian
The Armenian Genocide Resolution (H.Res.106) has attracted enormous media attention since it was passed by the House International Affairs Committee on October 10. However, the content of many of the articles, columns and stories written make one thing clear: Writers across the United States were ill-prepared to tackle the issue of the Armenian genocide, simply because they knew very little about it.
One case in point is Richard Cohen's article in the Washington Post, titled "Turkey's War on the Truth" (Oct. 16, 2007). Cohen makes arguments based on false premises. After conceding--with condescension--that what happened to the Armenians in 1915 was "plenty bad," he concludes that it falls short of genocide "because not all Armenians...were...affected." Clearly, if we follow his train of thought, Cambodia, Rwanda, Darfur and several other cases should not be labeled as "genocide."
Read the entire article here:
http://www.jewcy.com/daily_shvitz/washington_post_lemkin_and_armenian_genocide
The Armenian Genocide Resolution (H.Res.106) has attracted enormous media attention since it was passed by the House International Affairs Committee on October 10. However, the content of many of the articles, columns and stories written make one thing clear: Writers across the United States were ill-prepared to tackle the issue of the Armenian genocide, simply because they knew very little about it.
One case in point is Richard Cohen's article in the Washington Post, titled "Turkey's War on the Truth" (Oct. 16, 2007). Cohen makes arguments based on false premises. After conceding--with condescension--that what happened to the Armenians in 1915 was "plenty bad," he concludes that it falls short of genocide "because not all Armenians...were...affected." Clearly, if we follow his train of thought, Cambodia, Rwanda, Darfur and several other cases should not be labeled as "genocide."
Read the entire article here:
http://www.jewcy.com/daily_shvitz/washington_post_lemkin_and_armenian_genocide
Sunday, October 21, 2007
An Interview with Serj Tankian
By Khatchig Mouradian
The following interview with System of a Down’s frontman Serj Tankian was conducted on Oct. 16 at the Paradise Club in Boston, Mass. Tankian is on tour promoting his new album—set to be released on Oct. 23—“Elect the Dead.”
Khatchig Mouradian—Talk about your experience putting this album together.
Serj Tankian—Making this record has been a real learning experience, a strong positive experience for me, and very organic. I have my own studio, I go in and record as I please. I have hundreds of songs and I picked out songs that would lend themselves to my voice for this particular project. I recorded all the pianos and most of the strings (I brought in a couple of string players but I wrote all the string parts), programmed all the drums, then brought in drummers later to play them live, performed most of the guitars, most of the bass and vocals, pretty much produced it myself and recorded it myself and put it out on my own label through Warner, the distributor.
K.M.—You say, “With this record all success or failure rests with me. It made me realize that I have an amazing life and I’m getting to make a lot of my dreams come true.” Talk about those dreams.
S.T.—Well I have dreams every night. [Laughs.] I love doing music and it’s become my work. It was my passion and now it’s also my work. I’ve also devoted part of my life to learning other things around me, whether it’s spiritual, political or ecological. And, you know, I have a lot of things I want to accomplish. But accomplishments aren’t really important personally. I enjoy this process of not just putting a record out but involving different people, different video directors, different artists, website designers and journalists, and enjoying the process and learning from the process.
K.M.—Referring to the song “The Unthinking Majority,” you say “it is unlike any song on my solo record and meant to inspire collective action.” What collective action would you like to see?
S.T.—Ultimately I’d like to see some type of deep perspective and understanding of what civilization means. I think we’re all addicted to this thing called civilization that started 10,000 ago. We as Armenians have been at the beginning of that civilization, yet we don’t know what we were before civilization even as Armenians. We just know that we had multiple gods like the Greeks and many other cultures, but we don’t know much about those times and where the true character of spirituality comes from. So it’s very important for me to explore our indigenous past, not just as Armenians but as humans. We’re a part of the progression of things on this planet. A lot of radical changes are occurring and will continue to occur, and it’s important for us to know where we stand.
K.M.—You mentioned civilization. You’ve said, “Civilization itself is not sustainable. Civilization is over.” Can you explain that?
S.T.—At the current rate of progression, based on overpopulation coupled with the accelerated rate of destruction of the world’s natural resources, civilization is scientifically unsustainable.
K.M.—Talk about the role System of a Down played in…
S.T.—Ending civilization? [Laughs.] That would be a great question! Sorry, what was your question?
K.M.—The role System of a Down plated in your career and your life.
S.T.—It’s been my band for 11 years. It launched my musical career. It included my friends that I’ve played with and learned from and love and care for. And it’s brought me to where I am today to explore the type of artistic avenues that I have been exploring and to be able to have a platform of speech. But System of a Down is not a brand, it’s a collective of four friends that are artists that play together when they so desire, and I am a part of that collective, and my voice has always been a part of that collective.
K.M.—From music to poetry to grassroots activism, where do you find yourself and how do you feel in these different avenues?
S.T.—I do whatever, I follow my heart, you know? If I feel like making a call and doing something in terms of activism or going out there and planting something or if I feel like writing a song, it’s just all a part of the natural progression of my life.
K.M.—What do you have to say about the current discussion regarding the Armenian Genocide Resolution?
S.T.—I just said it on a radio station in Boston. You can’t deny a genocide or holocaust based on political expediency. It makes absolutely no sense. If we claim as America that we’re a democracy then we have to look in the mirror and ask: Can we lie about a genocide or hold off its recognition for the sake of geopolitical or strategic gains or a military occupation that is unfair in itself? It’s trying to undo one mistake with another mistake and it doesn’t make sense. That’s why a lot of Congressmen are behind the resolution, and it passed [the House Foreign Relations] Committee and I’m confident that it will pass the House. And it’s got Speaker [Nancy] Pelosi’s support.
I feel like there’s always going to be an excuse. You know, we’ve waited 92 years, but ultimately I want to go further and say, recognition is not that important. Recognition is one part of the just solution. If someone came to my house, killed my family and robbed my house, I’m not going to run after them for a hundred years and beg them to recognize that crime. That makes no sense, I’m going to take them to court and I’m going to loudly request justice, and that’s what needs to be done ultimately. But obviously, we all know that this is the first step, so we got to keep the goal in mind.
K.M.—On the same issue, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said that “The passage of this resolution indeed will be very problematic for everything we are trying to do in the Middle East.”
S.T.—I’m scared of everything they’re trying to do in the Middle East. Maybe the resolution will help them put their asses in place.
The following interview with System of a Down’s frontman Serj Tankian was conducted on Oct. 16 at the Paradise Club in Boston, Mass. Tankian is on tour promoting his new album—set to be released on Oct. 23—“Elect the Dead.”
Khatchig Mouradian—Talk about your experience putting this album together.
Serj Tankian—Making this record has been a real learning experience, a strong positive experience for me, and very organic. I have my own studio, I go in and record as I please. I have hundreds of songs and I picked out songs that would lend themselves to my voice for this particular project. I recorded all the pianos and most of the strings (I brought in a couple of string players but I wrote all the string parts), programmed all the drums, then brought in drummers later to play them live, performed most of the guitars, most of the bass and vocals, pretty much produced it myself and recorded it myself and put it out on my own label through Warner, the distributor.
K.M.—You say, “With this record all success or failure rests with me. It made me realize that I have an amazing life and I’m getting to make a lot of my dreams come true.” Talk about those dreams.
S.T.—Well I have dreams every night. [Laughs.] I love doing music and it’s become my work. It was my passion and now it’s also my work. I’ve also devoted part of my life to learning other things around me, whether it’s spiritual, political or ecological. And, you know, I have a lot of things I want to accomplish. But accomplishments aren’t really important personally. I enjoy this process of not just putting a record out but involving different people, different video directors, different artists, website designers and journalists, and enjoying the process and learning from the process.
K.M.—Referring to the song “The Unthinking Majority,” you say “it is unlike any song on my solo record and meant to inspire collective action.” What collective action would you like to see?
S.T.—Ultimately I’d like to see some type of deep perspective and understanding of what civilization means. I think we’re all addicted to this thing called civilization that started 10,000 ago. We as Armenians have been at the beginning of that civilization, yet we don’t know what we were before civilization even as Armenians. We just know that we had multiple gods like the Greeks and many other cultures, but we don’t know much about those times and where the true character of spirituality comes from. So it’s very important for me to explore our indigenous past, not just as Armenians but as humans. We’re a part of the progression of things on this planet. A lot of radical changes are occurring and will continue to occur, and it’s important for us to know where we stand.
K.M.—You mentioned civilization. You’ve said, “Civilization itself is not sustainable. Civilization is over.” Can you explain that?
S.T.—At the current rate of progression, based on overpopulation coupled with the accelerated rate of destruction of the world’s natural resources, civilization is scientifically unsustainable.
K.M.—Talk about the role System of a Down played in…
S.T.—Ending civilization? [Laughs.] That would be a great question! Sorry, what was your question?
K.M.—The role System of a Down plated in your career and your life.
S.T.—It’s been my band for 11 years. It launched my musical career. It included my friends that I’ve played with and learned from and love and care for. And it’s brought me to where I am today to explore the type of artistic avenues that I have been exploring and to be able to have a platform of speech. But System of a Down is not a brand, it’s a collective of four friends that are artists that play together when they so desire, and I am a part of that collective, and my voice has always been a part of that collective.
K.M.—From music to poetry to grassroots activism, where do you find yourself and how do you feel in these different avenues?
S.T.—I do whatever, I follow my heart, you know? If I feel like making a call and doing something in terms of activism or going out there and planting something or if I feel like writing a song, it’s just all a part of the natural progression of my life.
K.M.—What do you have to say about the current discussion regarding the Armenian Genocide Resolution?
S.T.—I just said it on a radio station in Boston. You can’t deny a genocide or holocaust based on political expediency. It makes absolutely no sense. If we claim as America that we’re a democracy then we have to look in the mirror and ask: Can we lie about a genocide or hold off its recognition for the sake of geopolitical or strategic gains or a military occupation that is unfair in itself? It’s trying to undo one mistake with another mistake and it doesn’t make sense. That’s why a lot of Congressmen are behind the resolution, and it passed [the House Foreign Relations] Committee and I’m confident that it will pass the House. And it’s got Speaker [Nancy] Pelosi’s support.
I feel like there’s always going to be an excuse. You know, we’ve waited 92 years, but ultimately I want to go further and say, recognition is not that important. Recognition is one part of the just solution. If someone came to my house, killed my family and robbed my house, I’m not going to run after them for a hundred years and beg them to recognize that crime. That makes no sense, I’m going to take them to court and I’m going to loudly request justice, and that’s what needs to be done ultimately. But obviously, we all know that this is the first step, so we got to keep the goal in mind.
K.M.—On the same issue, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said that “The passage of this resolution indeed will be very problematic for everything we are trying to do in the Middle East.”
S.T.—I’m scared of everything they’re trying to do in the Middle East. Maybe the resolution will help them put their asses in place.
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Fallout looms as genocide resolution moves to House
Many in local community stand behind support for recognition
By Lorne Bell
The Jewish Advocate
Thursday October 18 2007
http://www.thejewishadvocate.com/this_weeks_issue/news/?content_id=3848
Amid frenzied debate at the local, national and international levels, the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee voted on Oct. 10 to officially recognize the Ottoman Empire’s World War I massacre of Armenians as genocide. The non-binding House Resolution 106, which will now move to the full House for vote, prompted Turkey to immediately recall its ambassador to the U.S., and has elicited concerns from Israeli and American officials about the impact on relations with the Turkish government.
“[Relations with Turkey] are very important for Israel,” said Nadav Tamir, consul general of Israel to New England. “Israel was out of the debate.”
Officials in the Bush administration and eight former secretaries of state signaled their opposition to the resolution in advance of last week’s vote. In a letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), the former secretaries wrote that the passage of HR-106 “would endanger our national security interests.”
While the measure appeared as if it would quickly pass through the House, nearly a dozen House members – from both parties – have withdrawn their support for the resolution as of Wednesday, according to the New York Times.
But while government officials are worried about the consequences of offending Turkey, a key ally in the Middle East, local Armenians have praised the resolution, saying any fallout between Turkey and the U.S. will be short-lived.
“These are knee-jerk, hysterical reactions,” said Khatchig Mouradian, editor of The Armenian Weekly, which is based in Watertown. “Turkey is not a superpower and realizes full-well it needs the U.S.”
Mouradian said this summer’s controversy between Boston area Armenian and Jewish communities and the Anti-Defamation League helped to foster awareness of the issue. That controversy, which eventually led the national ADL to recognize the Armenian genocide, saw several Massachusetts towns cut ties with the ADL’s No Place for Hate program and the temporary firing of the organization’s regional director, Andrew Tarsy, who publicly dissented from the national position.
“The local controversy did not directly affect the resolution, but on an educational level, it was immensely important,” said Mouradian.
But political relations with Turkey were not the only concerns voiced by opponents of the resolution. Concerns about the safety of Jews worldwide also played a role in the ADL’s initial reluctance to recognize the massacre as genocide.
In a full-page advertisement in the Washington Post last week, the Jewish community of Turkey asked Congress to defeat the House resolution. The Turkish Foreign Ministry praised the nation’s Jews for opposing what it called an “unjust and erroneous” resolution.
Any reprisal by Turkey against Jewish interests should serve as a wake up call to American and Jewish alliances with the republic, according to James Russell, professor of Armenian Studies at Harvard University.
“If Turkey responds by blaming the Jews for this when it’s fairly obvious that the Jewish community was cautious – if not overly cautious – then all it proves is how shaky that friendship with Turkey is,” said Russell.
Still, the ADL has continued to oppose a congressional resolution, calling such measures “counterproductive.” And others have questioned the wisdom of the local community’s support for the resolution since Armenia is aligned with countries that are antagonistic to Israel, like Iran and Syria, while Turkey is a strategic ally.
Grand Rabbi Y. A. Korff cautioned this summer that the local community may be weighing in on a situation in which it cannot make the most informed decision. In a statement to the Advocate, the Rebbe said that diplomatic fallout with Turkey was inevitable.
“By taking the high moral ground, doing what is ‘right’ for others, and sacrificing pragmatic support for ourselves, we have once again shot ourselves in the foot for something which, after all, doesn’t really have much, if any, practical consequence anyway,” said the Rebbe.
But the resolution’s affect on international relations should not trump moral obligation, according to Nancy K. Kaufman, executive director of the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Boston, who has been a staunch supporter of the resolution.
“We are always concerned for the safety of Jews and we are also vigilant about the [importance of] Turkish-Israeli and Turkish-U.S. relations,” said Kaufman. “These concerns must be taken seriously, but they cannot be an excuse for genocide denial.”
With Turkey recalling its ambassadors to the U.S., the fate of American military bases in Turkey is a pressing concern for U.S. officials. Meanwhile, Turkish Foreign Affairs Minister Ali Babacan told the Jerusalem Post last week that Turkish ties with Israel as well as the U.S. would suffer if the resolution passed.
But despite looming political fallout for the U.S. and the Jewish state, Tarsy, ADL regional director, defended the organization’s decision to recognize the genocide.
“There obviously continue to be complicated political issues on the table,” said Tarsy. “The hope in all of this is for recognition of the very difficult history [in Turkey] and for reconciliation. I think that’s everyone’s hope.”
By Lorne Bell
The Jewish Advocate
Thursday October 18 2007
http://www.thejewishadvocate.com/this_weeks_issue/news/?content_id=3848
Amid frenzied debate at the local, national and international levels, the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee voted on Oct. 10 to officially recognize the Ottoman Empire’s World War I massacre of Armenians as genocide. The non-binding House Resolution 106, which will now move to the full House for vote, prompted Turkey to immediately recall its ambassador to the U.S., and has elicited concerns from Israeli and American officials about the impact on relations with the Turkish government.
“[Relations with Turkey] are very important for Israel,” said Nadav Tamir, consul general of Israel to New England. “Israel was out of the debate.”
Officials in the Bush administration and eight former secretaries of state signaled their opposition to the resolution in advance of last week’s vote. In a letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), the former secretaries wrote that the passage of HR-106 “would endanger our national security interests.”
While the measure appeared as if it would quickly pass through the House, nearly a dozen House members – from both parties – have withdrawn their support for the resolution as of Wednesday, according to the New York Times.
But while government officials are worried about the consequences of offending Turkey, a key ally in the Middle East, local Armenians have praised the resolution, saying any fallout between Turkey and the U.S. will be short-lived.
“These are knee-jerk, hysterical reactions,” said Khatchig Mouradian, editor of The Armenian Weekly, which is based in Watertown. “Turkey is not a superpower and realizes full-well it needs the U.S.”
Mouradian said this summer’s controversy between Boston area Armenian and Jewish communities and the Anti-Defamation League helped to foster awareness of the issue. That controversy, which eventually led the national ADL to recognize the Armenian genocide, saw several Massachusetts towns cut ties with the ADL’s No Place for Hate program and the temporary firing of the organization’s regional director, Andrew Tarsy, who publicly dissented from the national position.
“The local controversy did not directly affect the resolution, but on an educational level, it was immensely important,” said Mouradian.
But political relations with Turkey were not the only concerns voiced by opponents of the resolution. Concerns about the safety of Jews worldwide also played a role in the ADL’s initial reluctance to recognize the massacre as genocide.
In a full-page advertisement in the Washington Post last week, the Jewish community of Turkey asked Congress to defeat the House resolution. The Turkish Foreign Ministry praised the nation’s Jews for opposing what it called an “unjust and erroneous” resolution.
Any reprisal by Turkey against Jewish interests should serve as a wake up call to American and Jewish alliances with the republic, according to James Russell, professor of Armenian Studies at Harvard University.
“If Turkey responds by blaming the Jews for this when it’s fairly obvious that the Jewish community was cautious – if not overly cautious – then all it proves is how shaky that friendship with Turkey is,” said Russell.
Still, the ADL has continued to oppose a congressional resolution, calling such measures “counterproductive.” And others have questioned the wisdom of the local community’s support for the resolution since Armenia is aligned with countries that are antagonistic to Israel, like Iran and Syria, while Turkey is a strategic ally.
Grand Rabbi Y. A. Korff cautioned this summer that the local community may be weighing in on a situation in which it cannot make the most informed decision. In a statement to the Advocate, the Rebbe said that diplomatic fallout with Turkey was inevitable.
“By taking the high moral ground, doing what is ‘right’ for others, and sacrificing pragmatic support for ourselves, we have once again shot ourselves in the foot for something which, after all, doesn’t really have much, if any, practical consequence anyway,” said the Rebbe.
But the resolution’s affect on international relations should not trump moral obligation, according to Nancy K. Kaufman, executive director of the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Boston, who has been a staunch supporter of the resolution.
“We are always concerned for the safety of Jews and we are also vigilant about the [importance of] Turkish-Israeli and Turkish-U.S. relations,” said Kaufman. “These concerns must be taken seriously, but they cannot be an excuse for genocide denial.”
With Turkey recalling its ambassadors to the U.S., the fate of American military bases in Turkey is a pressing concern for U.S. officials. Meanwhile, Turkish Foreign Affairs Minister Ali Babacan told the Jerusalem Post last week that Turkish ties with Israel as well as the U.S. would suffer if the resolution passed.
But despite looming political fallout for the U.S. and the Jewish state, Tarsy, ADL regional director, defended the organization’s decision to recognize the genocide.
“There obviously continue to be complicated political issues on the table,” said Tarsy. “The hope in all of this is for recognition of the very difficult history [in Turkey] and for reconciliation. I think that’s everyone’s hope.”
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
