Sweden`s Parliament Recognizes The Genocide Against The Armenians, Assyrians, Greeks

[Jos]

Re: Sweden`s Parliament Recognizes The Genocide Against The Armenians, Assyrians, Gre

Here is an interview that might clarify for you what some of the representatives were thinking.

Answer: Certainly. We are also convinced it is of high importance for Sweden as well. For new genocides to be prevented, the previous ones have to receive recognition and a proper assessment. If it had been done in time, many other tragedies – including the Holocaust, which was recognized — would have been prevented

Yeah sure, Ulla Hoffmann! Had you recognized the AG in time, Cambodia, Rwanda, Darfur could have all been prevented. So what's stopping you from recognizing and giving them all a proper assessment now? Let me guess, your Parliament doesn't have the time and not mention to the votes (or lack thereof).... Laughable if it were not so sad.

In my opinion, all these ill conceived (albeit well intentioned) resolutions by foreign parliaments actually hinder the reconciliation process with Armenia and harden the public mood in Turkey for an open discussion rather than helping anything. They're all symbolic and non-binding. It's difficult to see any practical results flowing from any of these types of political grandstandings.

[hipeter924]

Re: Sweden`s Parliament Recognizes The Genocide Against The Armenians, Assyrians, Gre

NZ, and Australia for that matter, will never recognise the AG because the Turkish government will force us to choose between AG recognition and the Anzac cove commemorations in Turkey every 25th April.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CO02LNvtdAk

Well South Australia is a start I guess, but the truth is that neither government is prepared to rock the boat with Turkey; and they even they buy into the Turkey 'secular democracy' and 'moderate Islamic nation' myth.

Every commemoration they speak of 'similarities' between Turkey and NZ and Australia, perhaps they should point out Turkey is a 3rd world country, has one of the worst human rights records in the world and has committed genocide to its ethnic minorities over centuries; but I guess that would ruin the ceremony wouldn't it?

[GreekForumer]

Re: Sweden`s Parliament Recognizes The Genocide Against The Armenians, Assyrians, Gre

So basically what you and GreekForumer are saying is that Sweden's resolution is directed at Turkey's denial itself rather than recognition of genocide's per se. I don't see much logic to that. At least they should have passed the resolution as a matter of principle rather than as a matter of political judgement. No wonder Sweden's political leadership is apologizing now.

Here is an interview that might clarify for you what some of the representatives were thinking.

Left Party of Sweden determined to get Armenian Genocide recognized
13:30 / 03/15/2010


Below is an interview with Ulla Hoffmann, the former leader of the Left Party of Sweden.

NEWS.am: On March 11, the Swedish Parliament held a discussion of a resolution on the Genocide of the Armenians and other peoples residing in Turkey. That was a heated and intense discussion, the vote results being evidence thereof. What is the essence of the two views expressed at the Riksdag?

Answer: Our opponents did not deny the very fact of the genocide, without, however, spelling the term “genocide” itself. They believe it is a historical, rather than a political, problem. Therefore, it should be discussed by historians, not in Parliament. Moreover, Armenia and Turkey are now holding active negotiations, and the recognition of the Armenian Genocide may thwart the process. That was their second argument.

NEWS.am: That argument was put forward at the discussion held by the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Relations.

Answer: Yes. But, of course, it has nothing to do with the reality. If nations have a sincere wish to establish good relations, they should turn over a new leaf. If any disagreements, “black spots,” remain, no reconciliation is possible. Besides, I think it is a process between the regimes, rather than between the peoples, which does not inspire much confidence. But open border are necessary – for Armenia as well. But if it requires forgetting national history and not mentioning the Genocide, it is too high a price.

NEWS.am: The Left Party of Sweden you have been representing for many years has raised the issue of the Armenian Genocide before. It was on the party’s initiative that Riksdag voted for recognizing the Genocide. One gets the impression it is a matter of principle for you.

Answer: Certainly. We are also convinced it is of high importance for Sweden as well. For new genocides to be prevented, the previous ones have to receive recognition and a proper assessment. If it had been done in time, many other tragedies – including the Holocaust, which was recognized — would have been prevented. Also, many Armenians, Assyrians and Greeks reside in Sweden. They must be sure that the country remembers and cares for its citizens.

NEWS.am: The Swedish political circles and mass media actively discussed the adoption of the bill. What about the public? Was it concerned over the problem?

Answer: Yes, it really was. An Internet poll conducted after the discussion is evidence. Most of the respondents said the Swedish Parliament must recognize the Genocide. We are also informed of the Swedish Government’s opinion and of Turkey’s reaction. But we do not know anything about Armenia’s reaction, particularly about President Serzh Sargsyan’s response. I cannot understand his silence.

NEWS.am: About the Swedish Government’s reaction. Like in 2000, it will obviously be opposing the bill at further stages.

Answer: New parliamentary elections are to be held this September. The Left Party, which forms a coalition with Social Democrats and the Greens, hopes for success. Therefore, it will participate in forming a new government. The issue of recognizing the Armenian Genocide will finally be settled then.

T.P.

http://news.am/en/news/16649.html

[Alexandros]

Re: Sweden`s Parliament Recognizes The Genocide Against The Armenians, Assyrians, Gre

So basically what you and GreekForumer are saying is that Sweden's resolution is directed at Turkey's denial itself rather than recognition of genocide's per se.

Yes - but also because it was a genocide. There`s nothing that prevents the Swedish parliament or other parliaments to recognize the genocide against Armenians, Assyrians and the Pontian Greeks. The victims of this genocide and their children, grandchildren... wants some kind of acknowledgement for what happened to our/their people. This is understandable considering Turkey`s denial policy. Think about if Germany denied the holocaust how the Je_ws would had felt and reacted.

I don't see much logic to that. At least they should have passed the resolution as a matter of principle rather than as a matter of political judgement. No wonder Sweden's political leadership is apologizing now.

They regretted the decision - they did not apologize. Apples and oranges.

Jos, you are trying to grasp straws. Get over it.

[Jos]

Re: Sweden`s Parliament Recognizes The Genocide Against The Armenians, Assyrians, Gre

I`m not going to repeat myself. As I said before, the more Turkey continue its denial policy the more Turkey corners itself.

I suggest you read also GreekForumer`s last two posts.

So basically what you and GreekForumer are saying is that Sweden's resolution is directed at Turkey's denial itself rather than recognition of genocide's per se. I don't see much logic to that. At least they should have passed the resolution as a matter of principle rather than as a matter of political judgement. No wonder Sweden's political leadership is apologizing now.

[Alexandros]

Re: Sweden`s Parliament Recognizes The Genocide Against The Armenians, Assyrians, Gre

Forgive my ignorance but how many other genocide resolutions has Sweden passed in it's recent history? Cambodia, Rwanda perhaps? If none, why not? Perhaps not enough votes in it. Now you can understand my cynicism.

I`m not going to repeat myself. As I said before, the more Turkey continue its denial policy the more Turkey corners itself.

I suggest you read also GreekForumer`s last two posts.

[GreekForumer]

Re: Sweden`s Parliament Recognizes The Genocide Against The Armenians, Assyrians, Gre

Forgive my ignorance but how many other genocide resolutions has Sweden passed in it's recent history? Cambodia, Rwanda perhaps? If none, why not? Perhaps not enough votes in it. Now you can understand my cynicism.

Jos, if Turkey was not engaged in a campaign of denial then there would be no need for resolutions.

In the case of Rwanda, there are ongoing efforts to bring the culprits to justice.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Criminal_Tribunal_for_Rwanda

I don't think anyone denies there was a Genocide in Rwanda.

As for Cambodia, the Cambodians genocided other Cambodians of different politics. No-one denies there was Genocide in Cambodia.

[Jos]

Re: Sweden`s Parliament Recognizes The Genocide Against The Armenians, Assyrians, Gre

You don`t have to be a professor in political science to see where this issue is heading. The more Turkey continues its denial policy the more parliaments and governments will recognize the Genocide against the Armenians, Assyrians and the Pontian Greeks.

Forgive my ignorance but how many other genocide resolutions has Sweden passed in it's recent history? Cambodia, Rwanda perhaps? If none, why not? Perhaps not enough votes in it. Now you can understand my cynicism.

[GreekForumer]

Re: Sweden`s Parliament Recognizes The Genocide Against The Armenians, Assyrians, Gre

Time will tell Alexandros, but it doesn't do much for Sweden's credibility now when they flip flop from one side the other with these sorts of issues. My guess would be that with forthcoming elections it would seem to suggest that a lot of domestic politics might be at play here.

Jos, who's flip flopping ?
The parliament says "Yay", the executive says "Nay". These are 2 different power centres. You should worry about the fact no-one says Turkey is innocent. Not only that, it appears that no-one says the issue is "undecided" any more. These committees and parliaments are voting whether they prefer economic and other benefits with Turkey or whether they prefer officially recognising the Genocide. Don't delude yourself into thinking these people are voting whether a Genocide occurred or not.

[Alexandros]

Re: Sweden`s Parliament Recognizes The Genocide Against The Armenians, Assyrians, Gre

Time will tell Alexandros, but it doesn't do much for Sweden's credibility now when they flip flop from one side the other with these sorts of issues. My guess would be that with forthcoming elections it would seem to suggest that a lot of domestic politics might be at play here.

You don`t have to be a professor in political science to see where this issue is heading. The more Turkey continues its denial policy the more parliaments and governments will recognize the Genocide against the Armenians, Assyrians and the Pontian Greeks.