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NINETY-NINE YEARS OF DENIAL
The Bristol Press, CT
April 17 2014
By HARRY N. MAZADOORIAN
April 24, 2014 will mark the 99th anniversary of one of the most
ruthless chapters in the history of civilization, the Armenian Genocide
of 1915 perpetrated by the Ottoman Empire, under cover of the unfolding
First World War. Beginning on that date, some one and a half million
men, women and children were barbarically murdered, sent on death
marches or deliberately starved in full view of the entire world.
Besides the enormity and scope of the savagery itself, the most
amazing thing about the genocide is that the successor government
continues to deny that it took place. This, despite the outrage
expressed at the time by virtually all of the civilized world, the
ongoing contemporaneous reporting of the killings by unimpeachable
sources such as the New York Times, and eyewitness accounts submitted
by United States statesmen such as the U.S. Ambassador to the Ottoman
Empire Henry Morgenthau and U.S. Consul Leslie Davis. Moreover, there
exist mountains of undisputed photographic evidence of the savagery as
well as a large and credible corps of international genocide scholars
attesting to the first genocide of the 20th century. So great was the
sympathy and outrage that a relief effort of unparalleled proportions
was undertaken in the United States and elsewhere by a wide spectrum
of people from all walks of life. The names of Americans providing
humanitarian relief and expressing support for the victims ranged
from a virtual who's who of American politics, arts, academia and
philanthropy to ordinary citizens, all outraged by the atrocities.
The ensuing decades, however, saw a softening of the outrage. While the
events themselves continued to evoke humanitarian indignation, a sense
of resignation, sometimes even drifting into indifference, gradually
set in. The United States was forced to focus on ever-changing hot
spots around the world, not the least of which was the turbulent
middle east. The government of Turkey established itself as a needed
American ally in the shifting alliances in that part of the world:
it loudly protested any thought of U.S. recognition of the genocide.
Eventually, despite the early American condemnation of the genocide and
its perpetrators, the United States retreated from its resolve. As
time passed, it became a problem "from long ago." The danger of
offending a unique ally became a risk too high.
And, after all, what good would recognition do? some asked.
It is incredible that that question could even be asked. Subsequent
history and world events demonstrated that forgetting events so
horrific would only embolden those bent on repeating outrageous
conduct in the future. Indeed, the first genocide of the twentieth
century was by no means the last. The Holocaust can only be described
as unimaginable in its scope and devastation. Cambodia, Rwanda ... the
list goes on and on.
Even now, credible news comes of vicious attacks of Armenian
concentrations across the Turkish border in Kessab, Syria, which
several U.S. members of Congress condemned and referred to as "far
too reminiscent of the early days of the Armenian genocide."
We have all read that "those who fail to learn from history are doomed
to repeat it." But even worse, those who fail to learn and speak out
against past ignominies are actually encouraging future oppression.
Has 99 years taught us nothing? Can't governments see that silence
will only be interpreted as indifference? Or worse yet, condoning
what went before. If ever there were a moral imperative, this is it.
The United States Congress has timidly turned away from numerous
efforts to pass a symbolic resolution to recognize the genocide over
the past several years. Many rationales have been offered for this
failure, ranging from fear of offending a needed ally to the fact
that it was long ago and could not do any good.
But glimmers of hope persist. Recently, the Senate Foreign Relations
Committee approved S. Resolution 410 recognizing the genocide. While
passage by both houses continues to be an uphill battle, it is a
battle which must be pursued.
As the 100th anniversary of the Armenian genocide approaches, the
devastating events of those years must be recognized for what they
were -- not only to honor the memory of the million and one half who
perished but also to keep safe those throughout the world who are
and will be in danger of persecution in the future. While it was a
long time ago and nearly annihilated a sometimes little-known people,
it is of monumental significance to the world and all who care for
freedom and treasure human rights.
The silence has persisted for 99 years. It cannot be allowed to
continue for 100 years.
http://www.bristolpress.com/articles/2014/04/17/opinion/doc534f1f6f9496f562168725.txt
From: Baghdasarian
The Bristol Press, CT
April 17 2014
By HARRY N. MAZADOORIAN
April 24, 2014 will mark the 99th anniversary of one of the most
ruthless chapters in the history of civilization, the Armenian Genocide
of 1915 perpetrated by the Ottoman Empire, under cover of the unfolding
First World War. Beginning on that date, some one and a half million
men, women and children were barbarically murdered, sent on death
marches or deliberately starved in full view of the entire world.
Besides the enormity and scope of the savagery itself, the most
amazing thing about the genocide is that the successor government
continues to deny that it took place. This, despite the outrage
expressed at the time by virtually all of the civilized world, the
ongoing contemporaneous reporting of the killings by unimpeachable
sources such as the New York Times, and eyewitness accounts submitted
by United States statesmen such as the U.S. Ambassador to the Ottoman
Empire Henry Morgenthau and U.S. Consul Leslie Davis. Moreover, there
exist mountains of undisputed photographic evidence of the savagery as
well as a large and credible corps of international genocide scholars
attesting to the first genocide of the 20th century. So great was the
sympathy and outrage that a relief effort of unparalleled proportions
was undertaken in the United States and elsewhere by a wide spectrum
of people from all walks of life. The names of Americans providing
humanitarian relief and expressing support for the victims ranged
from a virtual who's who of American politics, arts, academia and
philanthropy to ordinary citizens, all outraged by the atrocities.
The ensuing decades, however, saw a softening of the outrage. While the
events themselves continued to evoke humanitarian indignation, a sense
of resignation, sometimes even drifting into indifference, gradually
set in. The United States was forced to focus on ever-changing hot
spots around the world, not the least of which was the turbulent
middle east. The government of Turkey established itself as a needed
American ally in the shifting alliances in that part of the world:
it loudly protested any thought of U.S. recognition of the genocide.
Eventually, despite the early American condemnation of the genocide and
its perpetrators, the United States retreated from its resolve. As
time passed, it became a problem "from long ago." The danger of
offending a unique ally became a risk too high.
And, after all, what good would recognition do? some asked.
It is incredible that that question could even be asked. Subsequent
history and world events demonstrated that forgetting events so
horrific would only embolden those bent on repeating outrageous
conduct in the future. Indeed, the first genocide of the twentieth
century was by no means the last. The Holocaust can only be described
as unimaginable in its scope and devastation. Cambodia, Rwanda ... the
list goes on and on.
Even now, credible news comes of vicious attacks of Armenian
concentrations across the Turkish border in Kessab, Syria, which
several U.S. members of Congress condemned and referred to as "far
too reminiscent of the early days of the Armenian genocide."
We have all read that "those who fail to learn from history are doomed
to repeat it." But even worse, those who fail to learn and speak out
against past ignominies are actually encouraging future oppression.
Has 99 years taught us nothing? Can't governments see that silence
will only be interpreted as indifference? Or worse yet, condoning
what went before. If ever there were a moral imperative, this is it.
The United States Congress has timidly turned away from numerous
efforts to pass a symbolic resolution to recognize the genocide over
the past several years. Many rationales have been offered for this
failure, ranging from fear of offending a needed ally to the fact
that it was long ago and could not do any good.
But glimmers of hope persist. Recently, the Senate Foreign Relations
Committee approved S. Resolution 410 recognizing the genocide. While
passage by both houses continues to be an uphill battle, it is a
battle which must be pursued.
As the 100th anniversary of the Armenian genocide approaches, the
devastating events of those years must be recognized for what they
were -- not only to honor the memory of the million and one half who
perished but also to keep safe those throughout the world who are
and will be in danger of persecution in the future. While it was a
long time ago and nearly annihilated a sometimes little-known people,
it is of monumental significance to the world and all who care for
freedom and treasure human rights.
The silence has persisted for 99 years. It cannot be allowed to
continue for 100 years.
http://www.bristolpress.com/articles/2014/04/17/opinion/doc534f1f6f9496f562168725.txt
From: Baghdasarian