Turks call for scholarly discourse of Genocide - but then...

[bell-the-cat]

In answer to much of the criticism, Professor Halil Berktay of Sabanci
University had this to say: "The official response of the Turkish government
on this matter has practically been memorized. Conferences on the Armenian
question have been organized for years in this country. All of them have
been one sided; historians that criticized freely were never invited. There
is no need for Professor Halacoglu to "re-enlighten" us on his views."

Maybe, at last, the legitimate historians amongst Turkey's academics are becoming tired of their profession being treated (because of the antics of the denialists) as a joke by everyone outside Turkey.

[winoman]

Well with an "education council" such as this its no wonder...

Turkish education council critical of conference on Armenia

Anatolia news agency
25 May 05

ANKARA

In reference to the postponed conference "Ottoman Armenians During the
Empire's Fall: Scientific Responsibility and Democracy Problems," the
Turkish Higher Education Council (YOK) indicated today (Wednesday) [25
May] that "such an activity in a Turkish university is an unfortunate
one".

In a written statement issued, YOK remarked that one of the goals of
an university is to publicize information found upon in-depth
research. According to YOK statement, publicity involves all
scientific publications, conferences and meetings, underlining that
all kinds of views and thoughts are expected to take place in this
process.

"But, the conference's preparation committee made it public on 17 May
that the conference to take place at Bogazici University from May 25th
until 27th will include statements that are different compared to
official Turkish stance on the matter... and that it is high-time for
some Turkish circles to raise their voices which are quiet different
than the official point of view. Such comments by the preparation
committee and other statements by the committee members clearly show
that no other views or thoughts related to the topic are given place
at the conference," said YOK's statement.

"We have reached a conclusion that the postponed conference can not be
a scientific meeting whose peculiarities are stated above. Such
efforts in a Turkish university is unfortunate for the Turkish Higher
Education," remarked YOK's declaration.

[winoman]

It is interesting that there was at least some demonstration by Turks in support of this conference - as I had seen reports of a rather large and strident Grey Wolves protest that occured against this conference yesterday...


Turkish professors condemn reaction to conference on Armenian issue

NTV television, Istanbul
25 May 05

Issuing a statement on the postponement of the conference on "Ottoman
Armenians during the collapse of the empire," the organizing committee
condemned attempts to pinpoint the Bogazici University as a target.

Selim Deringil and Edhem Eldem, who are members of the organizing
committee, held a news conference. Eldem said that the targeting of a
state university with unfair accusations is worrisome, adding that
Turkey will be the side to lose most from this action.

Noting that their aim is to leave aside the bellicose and sterile
style and discuss the issue within a broad historical perspective,
Selim Deringil said, in turn, that the policy of the government or of
the official circles does not bind them, adding that they are not
obliged to be of the same opinion with them.

And a group of Bogazici University students held a protest action on
the campus, asserting that a concerted campaign is being waged against
the independence of the university.

The organizing committee said that the conference organization and
advisory boards will meet to decide the future course.

[winoman]

PRESS RELEASE
May 25, 2005

TURKISH GOVERNMENT FORCES "POSTPONEMENT" OF GENOCIDE CONFERENCE

-- Silences Discussion of Armenian Genocide

WASHINGTON, DC - The Turkish Government compelled scholars from
three universities in Turkey today to indefinitely postpone a
conference which would have focused on the Armenian Genocide,
reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA). The
move is another in a series of government actions in Turkey to
quash freedom of speech and prevent open discussion regarding this
crime against humanity.

"The Turkish government's actions reflect a long-standing,
profoundly troubling, and increasingly aggressive policy of seeking
to silence any discussion of the Armenian Genocide - domestically,
through coercion and threats of prosecution, and abroad through
blackmail and intimidation," said Aram Hamparian, Executive
Director of the ANCA. "In taking these steps, Turkey's leadership
has made a mockery of its claims to seek a dialogue with Armenians,
compounded international skepticism about its willingness to meet
even minimal standards for freedom of expression, and underscored
the need for our government and the international community to
press Turkey - once and for all - to end its campaign to deny
justice for this crime against humanity."

The Conference, titled "Ottoman Armenians During the Decline of the
Empire: Issues of Scientific Responsibility and Democracy," was
jointly organized by the Comparative Literature Department of Bilgi
University, the History Department of Bogazici University and the
History Program at Sabanci University. Originally set to take
place May 25th-27th at Bosphorus University, the schedule was to
include over 30 papers by Turkish scholars from Turkey and abroad.

In the days leading up to the conference, Turkish Government
officials spoke stridently against the conference and its
organizers. Turkish Justice Minister Cemil Cicek, in a speech
before the Turkish Parliament on Tuesday, went so far as to accuse
the academics of "treason." The Minister described the conference
as a "a stab in the back to the Turkish nation." Cicek expressed
regret that, as Justice Minister, he could not personally prosecute
the organizers and participants.

Opposition parliament members concurred with the government's
views. According to the Agence France Presse, senior Republican
People's Party Parliament member and former Turkish Ambassador to
the U.S., Sukru Elekdag, referred to the conference as a
"treacherous project."

The government crackdown on the conference is the most recent
chapter in the Turkish government's 90-year campaign of genocide
denial. This effort has intensified in recent years. In 2003,
Education Minister Hikmet Cetin issued a decree making student
participation in a nation-wide essay contest denying the Armenian
Genocide compulsory. The most recent revisions to the Turkish
Penal Code criminalize references to the Armenian Genocide and the
removal of troops from Turkish occupied northern Cyprus. World-
renowned Turkish writer Orhan Pamuk, is the latest to be charged
with violation of the Turkish penal code for references to the
Armenian Genocide. According to news reports, Pamuk stated,
"30,000 Kurds and 1 million Armenians were killed in Turkey. Almost
no one dares to speak out this but me, and the nationalists hate me
for that."

[Armenian]

Discussions with Turks regarding the Armenian Genocide are senseless exercises in futility. Such debates, more often than not, degenerate to the point that it only serves to undermine the national ideology and cohesiveness of us Armenians. Nevertheless, the fundamental answer of all self-respecting Armenians to every single Turkic inquiry regarding Turko-Armenian relations is a simple one:

There was a historic crime perpetrated by Turks against the Armenian people that yet needs to be punished.

Since some of you here seem capable of varying degrees of rational thought, you should realize that all crimes, regardless of severity, needs to get punished accordingly. That is how the universal order works, that is how rational works that is how human behavior works. Through my experiences, I have noticed that there are two fundamental types of Turks regarding their ideological approach to the Armenian Genocide.

The first type (most probably the majority): Is very satisfied with what happened to the Armenians during the First World War and, moreover, would not hesitate one bit at attempting it again (as we have seen on countless occasions during the past fifteen years). The other type (who is subservient to the first type): Just wants to "whitewash" and make "excuses" for what happened back then and wants us to move "forward."

I far as I am concerned, its simple folks: We move forward by punishing, sooner or later, the guilty nation that committed the barbaric crime - and this cannot happen by trying to "reconcile" with those who still wish us dead.

Speak to me about "reconciliation" with Turks when the Turkish state is reduced to rubble - then and only then will I even consider reconciliation with a Turk. As I keep repeating: "well meaning" Turks need to preach to their primitive brethren - NOT US. I, personally, do not want engage in futile practices such as "explaining" and "convincing" anything to any moron that does not know the obvious. The bottom line is: just a few decades ago there was a large Armenian population living within its aboriginal lands and, today - there are none.

[winoman]

(so-called) Armenian - you have already posted this nonsense on another thread - it is irrelevent (anyway) - but certainly specifically in regards to the issues being raised on this thread. It really makes you look quite stupid and immature.

[Anonymouse]

Gotta love Turkish democracy.

[nairi]

I think there is great progress in Turkey, albeit government circumcision. Let's not forget that just a few years ago, the number of Turkish intellectuals questioning their government's propaganda publicly was highly limited. Over 700 Turkish intellectuals from around the world as well as Turkey gathered yesterday to discuss the other side of the story. Unfortunately it didn't go through, because of government censorship, but just the fact that there are so many, and many more, who are willing to question and discuss this issue today, says enough about the progress in Turkey. We need to be highly supportive of these Turks.

[Anonymouse]

I think there is great progress in Turkey, albeit government circumcision. Let's not forget that just a few years ago, the number of Turkish intellectuals questioning their government's propaganda publicly was highly limited. Over 700 Turkish intellectuals from around the world as well as Turkey gathered yesterday to discuss the other side of the story. Unfortunately it didn't go through, because of government censorship, but just the fact that there are so many, and many more, who are willing to question and discuss this issue today, says enough about the progress in Turkey. We need to be highly supportive of these Turks.

See what governments do? I consider all governments a menace to free thought.

[oneworld]

Did your ancestors killed Turks in Anatolia? Yes or no?
We do not need to hear other full of xhit buzz words?
You allways speak too much to cover the that reality. You betrayed your country?
You are the betrayers. You killed children and women. Your Taşnak Sütyun bros .attacked as animals to innocent girls.
Isn't it? It was the opportunity, it was the chance to kill all Turks. Isn't it?
we know why you are so angry? Because you failed. You couldn't. You will not be able to do this, forever.You punished. Your probhet Chris doesn't likes you, because you killed children. The Lord doesn't likes you because you killed innocents. Think, why you are suffering starvation.
Why you are shocked? You can not understand why you punished. It's simple. Betrayers will be pay a fine allways in everywhere. First, you have to admit you are betrayers.