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Charles Aznavour's Shocking Interview: `Genocide or another word; it's
the same to me'
Hetq
17:16, October 7, 2011
What follows is a translation of the recent interview given by the famous
singer/songwriter and Armenian Ambassador to Switzerland, Charles Aznavour
(Shahnour Vaghenag Aznavourian) to the French-Armenian magazine Nouvelles
d'Arménie.
Editor - On September 4 of this year, Charles Aznavour was interviewed on
the popular `Vivement dimanche' French TV talk show by host Michel
Drucker.
Drucker asked Aznavour about his views on the 1915 Armenian Genocide. In
response, Aznavour said - The word itself (genocide) is disruptive and it
upsets me as well. What I am saying here can be used against me by some
Armenians, but I believe that's not important. If the Turks are sincere
enough to say that the word `genocide' prevents them from doing anything,
then let us come up with another word; just as long as the border between
Armenia and Turkey is opened and the Turkish government thinks about
starting a dialog with us.'
When the host observed that 1.5 million was a considerable number for such
a
tiny country, Aznavour responded: `2 or 1.5 million. It's the same. Whether
they murder 2 children, 1.5 million Armenians or 6 million Jews. It's the
same. They killed and wanted to kill. That's what is important.'
Nouvelles d'Arménie -The `Vivement dimanche' interview also made a number
of enemies for you; no?
Charles Aznavour - I've grown tired of all that. We will never realize
our
goals. Our enemies are waiting for those Armenians with any memories of the
Genocide to die so that this matter can be put to rest once and for all.
What country has ever helped us? Not a one. France recognized the genocide
but will not do anymore. No country will ever come to our aid. Never.
Furthermore, the Arabs now carrying out revolutions want to create
governments on the Kemalist model. This is a feather in the cap for Turkey
that is growing richer and more influential. Turkey is already a member of
the G-20. Turkey is no longer concerned that much about becoming members of
the European Union.
And where are we going? In this process, Armenia is suffering. Each day the
country is being emptied. In the near future it will resemble an empty snail
shell. And who profits from this? Three Mafiosi families? All the while
hundreds of thousands of poor people will be dispersed throughout the world.
All this troubles me greatly. In the meantime we remain transfixed on the
word `genocide' and the Turks use this to their advantage.
Thus, I ask the Turks the following - If those events weren't genocide
that
what do you call the extermination of an entire people? What did you call it
at the time? How did Ataturk describe that situation? What was it called
prior to the coining of the term `genocide'? At least we should confess that
those events constituted a massacre. If we get to this point then it will be
a huge victory for us.
Armenia faces a huge threat and all linger on the word `genocide'. I don't
see how this helps the advancement of the country. Where is such logic
taking us? Where are those people who criticize me for such views? What are
they doing to help Armenia? When do they send money? Should I be taking
lessons from these people? I was the first to give them such lessons. I
discussed this with an Armenian lawyer in the U.S. whose office employs
about 300 lawyers and legal people. He was thinking like the others. But
when I explained my viewpoint, he saw that I was correct.
I am not a politician and don't understand anything about that field. I only
know one thing. We have a tiny and unfortunate country that is almost dying
off for the second time. And we are still talking about other things.
NA - But you were always engaged in the genocide issue, especially when
it
was debated in the French Senate. You even spoke before the Senate=85
CA - And what did it all accomplish?
NA - You participated in demonstrations and rallies=85
CA - And what good did it serve?
NA - Do you really believe that we are not moving forward?
CA - We haven't been advancing either back then or now. Never. I am
periodically invited to Turkey. Once, the Turkish foreign minister even
invited me to spend my vacation there. He wanted to reach an agreement on
what the Armenians were demanding. But let's not play political games for
partisan interests.
I am not interested who becomes the next president of Armenia. All I want is
for the border to open so that this country can catch its breath a bit.
NA - So, you are sending messages in bottles out on the water.
CA - Yes, I always say good things about Turks. I think they are an
interesting nation. There's not one Armenian in Turkey that doesn't like the
Turks. Perhaps they don't like their manner, their politics=85but not the
people themselves. My aim is to move forward just a bit.
NA - Aren't you disappointed regarding the failure of the 2009 Protocols
signed in Zurich?
CA - They were signed in the evening but the next day they were made
meaningless. I wasn't disappointed because I suspected that would happen. No
such treaty was ever signed with the Turks in such a manner. A moment always
arises when either they compromise or we aren't capable of doing anything.
Such an inclination benefits their strategic position. They feel their
strength and are more disinclined towards compromising. So, what should we
do? I hope that we do nothing more. There is no need to place any more hope
on me. It has tired me out. I don't want to waste my energies on senseless
matters.
NA - So we have to be smart on both sides?
CA - Yes, in a word. In all cases we must act and come forth with
initiatives. I would like to ask you the following - How long have the Turks
lived on our lands? And I'm not even talking about the fact that they seized
those lands from us. I'm talking about prior to that.
NA - Centuries, About 1,000 years.
CA - The Germans no longer demand Alsace-Lorraine and we French no longer
think about the Ruhr. We should at least get smart. We must understand the
reality of things. All this has ended. I'll say more. Even if they return
those lands to us, who will go there and live? No one. Let's get real.
NA - But don't you think that the Armenian authorities have a good mastery
of the issue and that steps are being taken in the right direction?
CA - I know nothing about that. We speak to the authorities regarding this
the next time. I do not want to take any steps without getting their
opinion. All I know is that their priority is the opening of the border.
It's the outside world that is based on this war of words. Domestically,
they are suffering from it.
NA - Don't you believe, however, that the basic reason for the exodus
from
Armenia is the domestic system which offers no hope to the population? And
we are not even taking into account the military situation in Karabakh. So
must we compromise in this issue as well?
CA - Yes. This is how it is. We are doing nothing to help the people living
there. Just the opposite. I know awful stories about the Mafiosi who are
literally devouring the villagers on their lands. Those Mafia members must
be executed. Things cannot continue like this. Those who want to become the
Mafia should go live in other countries, not in Armenia. For the love of
God, don't fight against your own people.
NA - What's your priority regarding the Armenian Question?
CA - I want agreement. I want the Turks to recognize that which happened.
For me it's the same; genocide or another word. Even if they use that word,
what will it give me?
I want them to recognize the massacres. That's the description they used
at
the time. The entire world spoke of the massacres. And all of a sudden,
starting in the 1950s, we got transfixed on the term `genocide'. Even though
it equates with the reality, it's a tough pill to swallow.
(To be continued)
From: Baghdasarian
the same to me'
Hetq
17:16, October 7, 2011
What follows is a translation of the recent interview given by the famous
singer/songwriter and Armenian Ambassador to Switzerland, Charles Aznavour
(Shahnour Vaghenag Aznavourian) to the French-Armenian magazine Nouvelles
d'Arménie.
Editor - On September 4 of this year, Charles Aznavour was interviewed on
the popular `Vivement dimanche' French TV talk show by host Michel
Drucker.
Drucker asked Aznavour about his views on the 1915 Armenian Genocide. In
response, Aznavour said - The word itself (genocide) is disruptive and it
upsets me as well. What I am saying here can be used against me by some
Armenians, but I believe that's not important. If the Turks are sincere
enough to say that the word `genocide' prevents them from doing anything,
then let us come up with another word; just as long as the border between
Armenia and Turkey is opened and the Turkish government thinks about
starting a dialog with us.'
When the host observed that 1.5 million was a considerable number for such
a
tiny country, Aznavour responded: `2 or 1.5 million. It's the same. Whether
they murder 2 children, 1.5 million Armenians or 6 million Jews. It's the
same. They killed and wanted to kill. That's what is important.'
Nouvelles d'Arménie -The `Vivement dimanche' interview also made a number
of enemies for you; no?
Charles Aznavour - I've grown tired of all that. We will never realize
our
goals. Our enemies are waiting for those Armenians with any memories of the
Genocide to die so that this matter can be put to rest once and for all.
What country has ever helped us? Not a one. France recognized the genocide
but will not do anymore. No country will ever come to our aid. Never.
Furthermore, the Arabs now carrying out revolutions want to create
governments on the Kemalist model. This is a feather in the cap for Turkey
that is growing richer and more influential. Turkey is already a member of
the G-20. Turkey is no longer concerned that much about becoming members of
the European Union.
And where are we going? In this process, Armenia is suffering. Each day the
country is being emptied. In the near future it will resemble an empty snail
shell. And who profits from this? Three Mafiosi families? All the while
hundreds of thousands of poor people will be dispersed throughout the world.
All this troubles me greatly. In the meantime we remain transfixed on the
word `genocide' and the Turks use this to their advantage.
Thus, I ask the Turks the following - If those events weren't genocide
that
what do you call the extermination of an entire people? What did you call it
at the time? How did Ataturk describe that situation? What was it called
prior to the coining of the term `genocide'? At least we should confess that
those events constituted a massacre. If we get to this point then it will be
a huge victory for us.
Armenia faces a huge threat and all linger on the word `genocide'. I don't
see how this helps the advancement of the country. Where is such logic
taking us? Where are those people who criticize me for such views? What are
they doing to help Armenia? When do they send money? Should I be taking
lessons from these people? I was the first to give them such lessons. I
discussed this with an Armenian lawyer in the U.S. whose office employs
about 300 lawyers and legal people. He was thinking like the others. But
when I explained my viewpoint, he saw that I was correct.
I am not a politician and don't understand anything about that field. I only
know one thing. We have a tiny and unfortunate country that is almost dying
off for the second time. And we are still talking about other things.
NA - But you were always engaged in the genocide issue, especially when
it
was debated in the French Senate. You even spoke before the Senate=85
CA - And what did it all accomplish?
NA - You participated in demonstrations and rallies=85
CA - And what good did it serve?
NA - Do you really believe that we are not moving forward?
CA - We haven't been advancing either back then or now. Never. I am
periodically invited to Turkey. Once, the Turkish foreign minister even
invited me to spend my vacation there. He wanted to reach an agreement on
what the Armenians were demanding. But let's not play political games for
partisan interests.
I am not interested who becomes the next president of Armenia. All I want is
for the border to open so that this country can catch its breath a bit.
NA - So, you are sending messages in bottles out on the water.
CA - Yes, I always say good things about Turks. I think they are an
interesting nation. There's not one Armenian in Turkey that doesn't like the
Turks. Perhaps they don't like their manner, their politics=85but not the
people themselves. My aim is to move forward just a bit.
NA - Aren't you disappointed regarding the failure of the 2009 Protocols
signed in Zurich?
CA - They were signed in the evening but the next day they were made
meaningless. I wasn't disappointed because I suspected that would happen. No
such treaty was ever signed with the Turks in such a manner. A moment always
arises when either they compromise or we aren't capable of doing anything.
Such an inclination benefits their strategic position. They feel their
strength and are more disinclined towards compromising. So, what should we
do? I hope that we do nothing more. There is no need to place any more hope
on me. It has tired me out. I don't want to waste my energies on senseless
matters.
NA - So we have to be smart on both sides?
CA - Yes, in a word. In all cases we must act and come forth with
initiatives. I would like to ask you the following - How long have the Turks
lived on our lands? And I'm not even talking about the fact that they seized
those lands from us. I'm talking about prior to that.
NA - Centuries, About 1,000 years.
CA - The Germans no longer demand Alsace-Lorraine and we French no longer
think about the Ruhr. We should at least get smart. We must understand the
reality of things. All this has ended. I'll say more. Even if they return
those lands to us, who will go there and live? No one. Let's get real.
NA - But don't you think that the Armenian authorities have a good mastery
of the issue and that steps are being taken in the right direction?
CA - I know nothing about that. We speak to the authorities regarding this
the next time. I do not want to take any steps without getting their
opinion. All I know is that their priority is the opening of the border.
It's the outside world that is based on this war of words. Domestically,
they are suffering from it.
NA - Don't you believe, however, that the basic reason for the exodus
from
Armenia is the domestic system which offers no hope to the population? And
we are not even taking into account the military situation in Karabakh. So
must we compromise in this issue as well?
CA - Yes. This is how it is. We are doing nothing to help the people living
there. Just the opposite. I know awful stories about the Mafiosi who are
literally devouring the villagers on their lands. Those Mafia members must
be executed. Things cannot continue like this. Those who want to become the
Mafia should go live in other countries, not in Armenia. For the love of
God, don't fight against your own people.
NA - What's your priority regarding the Armenian Question?
CA - I want agreement. I want the Turks to recognize that which happened.
For me it's the same; genocide or another word. Even if they use that word,
what will it give me?
I want them to recognize the massacres. That's the description they used
at
the time. The entire world spoke of the massacres. And all of a sudden,
starting in the 1950s, we got transfixed on the term `genocide'. Even though
it equates with the reality, it's a tough pill to swallow.
(To be continued)
From: Baghdasarian