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Glendale News Press, CA
April 26 2013
Turkish scholar talks policy at Glendale's Armenian genocide event
He explains Ottoman intent toward seizure of Armenian property.
April 25, 2013
For the first time, a Turkish scholar addressed a crowd of more than
1,400 people at the city's annual event to commemorate the genocide of
about 1.5 million people in 1915 by Ottoman Turks, a tragedy still
denied by modern-day Turkey 98 years later.
"The principle was not giving the Armenians not even a single inch,"
said Umit Kurt, a Turkish scholar at Clark University, as he discussed
how the Ottoman Empire deported Armenians before the genocide began
and sold their property.
PHOTOS: Annual Armenian genocide commemoration at Alex Theatre
Although initial laws regarding the abandoned property seem to require
Armenians be reimbursed at a later date, that never came to fruition,
Kurt said before the sold-out crowd at the Alex Theatre Wednesday
evening.
The committee that organizes the annual Armenian Genocide
Commemoration typically invites prominent Armenian figures and
scholars to speak at the popular event, but this year, a Turkish
scholar was invited "to showcase a trend towards enlightenment by
Turkish academics," said Councilman Ara Najarian.
"It's a slow trend, but a trend nonetheless," he said before the event
began, adding that the few Turkish scholars that give credence to the
genocide face challenges when they return to Turkey.
While the United States--including President Obama-- continues to
avoid labeling the slaughter of Armenians a genocide, local lawmakers
called on the country's leadership to change course, despite the
political consequences of upsetting Turkey, an ally.
"Your presence is a testament to the fact that the Ottomans did not
win," said Assemblyman Mike Gatto (D-Silverlake), asking officials in
Washington, D.C. to "once and for all recognize the Armenian
genocide."
Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Burbank) agreed in a prepared video. Earlier
Wednesday, Schiff addressed his colleagues in the House of
Representatives in Armenian, calling on them to remember the lives
lost during the genocide.
"Our government must not continue to maintain this shameful silence,"
Schiff said.
Councilman Zareh Sinanyan said the event commemorates a historic
tragedy, but also a living memory.
"It's just something that lives with us," Sinanyan said.
http://articles.glendalenewspress.com/2013-04-25/news/tn-gnp-0425-turkish-scholar-talks-policy-at-glendales-armenian-genocide-event_1_genocide-armenians-turkish-scholar
April 26 2013
Turkish scholar talks policy at Glendale's Armenian genocide event
He explains Ottoman intent toward seizure of Armenian property.
April 25, 2013
For the first time, a Turkish scholar addressed a crowd of more than
1,400 people at the city's annual event to commemorate the genocide of
about 1.5 million people in 1915 by Ottoman Turks, a tragedy still
denied by modern-day Turkey 98 years later.
"The principle was not giving the Armenians not even a single inch,"
said Umit Kurt, a Turkish scholar at Clark University, as he discussed
how the Ottoman Empire deported Armenians before the genocide began
and sold their property.
PHOTOS: Annual Armenian genocide commemoration at Alex Theatre
Although initial laws regarding the abandoned property seem to require
Armenians be reimbursed at a later date, that never came to fruition,
Kurt said before the sold-out crowd at the Alex Theatre Wednesday
evening.
The committee that organizes the annual Armenian Genocide
Commemoration typically invites prominent Armenian figures and
scholars to speak at the popular event, but this year, a Turkish
scholar was invited "to showcase a trend towards enlightenment by
Turkish academics," said Councilman Ara Najarian.
"It's a slow trend, but a trend nonetheless," he said before the event
began, adding that the few Turkish scholars that give credence to the
genocide face challenges when they return to Turkey.
While the United States--including President Obama-- continues to
avoid labeling the slaughter of Armenians a genocide, local lawmakers
called on the country's leadership to change course, despite the
political consequences of upsetting Turkey, an ally.
"Your presence is a testament to the fact that the Ottomans did not
win," said Assemblyman Mike Gatto (D-Silverlake), asking officials in
Washington, D.C. to "once and for all recognize the Armenian
genocide."
Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Burbank) agreed in a prepared video. Earlier
Wednesday, Schiff addressed his colleagues in the House of
Representatives in Armenian, calling on them to remember the lives
lost during the genocide.
"Our government must not continue to maintain this shameful silence,"
Schiff said.
Councilman Zareh Sinanyan said the event commemorates a historic
tragedy, but also a living memory.
"It's just something that lives with us," Sinanyan said.
http://articles.glendalenewspress.com/2013-04-25/news/tn-gnp-0425-turkish-scholar-talks-policy-at-glendales-armenian-genocide-event_1_genocide-armenians-turkish-scholar