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If you don't recognize genocide, you only encourage it
http://www.armradio.am/en/2013/04/06/if-you-dont-recognize-genocide-you-only-encourage-it/
14:33 06.04.2013
Some people who know about the Armenian Genocide 98 years ago ask,
`What difference does it make? It was so long ago.'
The answer, says Harry Mazadoorian, is if you don't recognize
genocide, you only encourage it.
New Britain native, Harry Mazadoorian, active in Armenian causes, is a
commercial arbitrator and mediator, and distinguished senior fellow at
the Quinnipiac University School of Law Center on Dispute Resolution,
Scott Whipple writes in a article published by The New Britain Herald.
On Saturday, April 20, he and other Armenians in the area will attend
the 98th annual Armenian Genocide Commemoration at the Connecticut
State Capitol.
Marc Mamigonian, director of academic affairs at the National
Association for Armenian Studies and Research, will be the keynote
speaker.
A ceremony on the capitol lawn to raise the Armenian flag over the
state Capitol building will precede the commemoration.
Announcement of the event was made by state Rep. Christopher Wright,
D-Bristol, chairman of this year's Armenian Genocide Commemoration.
`I am very pleased that Marc will be joining our ceremony as keynote
speaker,' Wright said. `He is a noted scholar and we look forward to
his participation.'
In addition to the commemoration, there will be an Armenian Day
Exhibit and Ceremony on Wednesday, April 24 in the North Lobby on the
capitol building's first floor.
During the period of the Genocide, between 1915 and 1923, more than
1.5 million people suffered and perished at the hand of the Turkish
Government; 500,000. Others were driven into exile.
Mazadoorian says he lost three grandfathers during the Genocide and
all his father's siblings. His father's father came to America in the
1890s, then tragically returned to Turkey where he was killed in 1915.
Mazadoorian says many scholars believe that genocide was a
premeditated program to exterminate an ethnic minority group on the
eve of World War I. However, Turkey dismisses evidence about the
atrocities and calls them simply `allegations.' Although France,
Greece and Russia have officially recognized the Armenian Genocide,
the Republic of Turkey denies that genocide was committed against the
Armenians during World War I.
`The New York Times published over 100 stories from 1915 documenting
genocide,' Mazadoorian says. `Ironically, the U.S. Congress refuses to
take a position acknowledging genocide.'
Mazadoorian said this is because the U.S. relies on Turkey as an ally.
However, in 1915 American political leaders gathered in support of
Armenia; they included President Woodrow Wilson, former President
Teddy Roosevelt, John D. Rockefeller and Paul Mellon. Nurse Clara
Barton traveled with the American Red Cross to Turkey as a show of
humanitarian support. Over the years this support dwindled in the face
of political realities.
`There has never been an acknowledgment or an apology from Turkey,'
Mazadoorian said, `and that leads to one of the greatest ironies.
Recently, in Turkey there has been a critical mass of academics,
journalists and humanitarians who have acknowledged that genocide
happened. They want the government to end this charade and apologize.'
Still, the Turkish government continues to keep the Genocide out of the schools.
Mazadoorian would like President Obama to make good on his campaign
promise to recognize the Armenian Genocide.
`Once Obama took office, he backed down,' Mazadoorian said. `He avoids
the `G' word.'
`As always, we invite everyone to join us on the 20th,' Wright said.
`It's time to remember the victims and celebrate the triumph of those
who survived.'
http://www.armradio.am/en/2013/04/06/if-you-dont-recognize-genocide-you-only-encourage-it/
14:33 06.04.2013
Some people who know about the Armenian Genocide 98 years ago ask,
`What difference does it make? It was so long ago.'
The answer, says Harry Mazadoorian, is if you don't recognize
genocide, you only encourage it.
New Britain native, Harry Mazadoorian, active in Armenian causes, is a
commercial arbitrator and mediator, and distinguished senior fellow at
the Quinnipiac University School of Law Center on Dispute Resolution,
Scott Whipple writes in a article published by The New Britain Herald.
On Saturday, April 20, he and other Armenians in the area will attend
the 98th annual Armenian Genocide Commemoration at the Connecticut
State Capitol.
Marc Mamigonian, director of academic affairs at the National
Association for Armenian Studies and Research, will be the keynote
speaker.
A ceremony on the capitol lawn to raise the Armenian flag over the
state Capitol building will precede the commemoration.
Announcement of the event was made by state Rep. Christopher Wright,
D-Bristol, chairman of this year's Armenian Genocide Commemoration.
`I am very pleased that Marc will be joining our ceremony as keynote
speaker,' Wright said. `He is a noted scholar and we look forward to
his participation.'
In addition to the commemoration, there will be an Armenian Day
Exhibit and Ceremony on Wednesday, April 24 in the North Lobby on the
capitol building's first floor.
During the period of the Genocide, between 1915 and 1923, more than
1.5 million people suffered and perished at the hand of the Turkish
Government; 500,000. Others were driven into exile.
Mazadoorian says he lost three grandfathers during the Genocide and
all his father's siblings. His father's father came to America in the
1890s, then tragically returned to Turkey where he was killed in 1915.
Mazadoorian says many scholars believe that genocide was a
premeditated program to exterminate an ethnic minority group on the
eve of World War I. However, Turkey dismisses evidence about the
atrocities and calls them simply `allegations.' Although France,
Greece and Russia have officially recognized the Armenian Genocide,
the Republic of Turkey denies that genocide was committed against the
Armenians during World War I.
`The New York Times published over 100 stories from 1915 documenting
genocide,' Mazadoorian says. `Ironically, the U.S. Congress refuses to
take a position acknowledging genocide.'
Mazadoorian said this is because the U.S. relies on Turkey as an ally.
However, in 1915 American political leaders gathered in support of
Armenia; they included President Woodrow Wilson, former President
Teddy Roosevelt, John D. Rockefeller and Paul Mellon. Nurse Clara
Barton traveled with the American Red Cross to Turkey as a show of
humanitarian support. Over the years this support dwindled in the face
of political realities.
`There has never been an acknowledgment or an apology from Turkey,'
Mazadoorian said, `and that leads to one of the greatest ironies.
Recently, in Turkey there has been a critical mass of academics,
journalists and humanitarians who have acknowledged that genocide
happened. They want the government to end this charade and apologize.'
Still, the Turkish government continues to keep the Genocide out of the schools.
Mazadoorian would like President Obama to make good on his campaign
promise to recognize the Armenian Genocide.
`Once Obama took office, he backed down,' Mazadoorian said. `He avoids
the `G' word.'
`As always, we invite everyone to join us on the 20th,' Wright said.
`It's time to remember the victims and celebrate the triumph of those
who survived.'