The bill has provoked hot debate not only in Turkey but across the globe. In my article (“French bill again”) that was published by Today’s Zaman last week attracted quite fervent reactions from readers: some support me, some criticize and some have brought new perspectives on the subject. Sometimes we columnists need to give the floor to our readers. In this context, I would like to share some comments from my readers that I have received through emails, Facebook, Twitter and from readers’ comments posted under my column on www.todayszaman.com. In order to fit them into my space, I have shortened some of them; I apologize in advance to my readers if my shortened versions cause the loss of some sense from their comments. Here they are:
From Vahe: “This is a solemn moment for all Armenians who long suffer from Turkey’s denial and the silence of those countries who were observers at the time of the genocide.”
From Ararat: “Turkish leaders and politicians are insincere opportunists. Each and every Turkish government over the years has acted and reacted [in] the same manner in regards to the Armenian issue. Every time this issue has come up anywhere they have tried to buy their way out of it. They have never tried to have a dialogue with their victims.” From Jack: “Turkey was given a chance at immense US expense to clear the matter in 2009. It chose not to do that. Okay, things will remain as they are and in about 15-20 years the last Armenians will leave Turkey insuring a pure Turkic country forever. Congratulations.” From Mani: “Yes, Orhan, perhaps Sarkozy is trying to hit a few birds with one stone. He is a politician after all. However, we all know and I think you agree that Sarkozy in this case is not the main relevant issue. The denial of the Armenian genocide by Turkey is HURTING Turkey more than if it was to admit to it and open to the reality of taking the path of truth and justice. If anything, Turkey should take Germany as its model and the civil path that Germany took after the Holocaust and murdering millions of people.”
From Anastasia: “Orhan, referring to your article about the French bill, I would like to go even further and say that Armenians themselves should oppose the bill because: 1. They have a moral duty towards their forefathers to protect them from being used by a mean political opportunism; 2. Coercitive legal measures are of no use for a progress in denialists’ consciousness … nor do they contribute to the redemption of the victims, since the authors of the genocide do not recognize and assume their crimes; 3. Instead of focusing on denialism and criminalization of denialists, they would better turn their attention to positive actions and give their support to those brave and honest people in Turkey, who serve their cause; [and] 4. Finally, Armenians have to get rid of a static vision of Turkish politics, or at least appreciate all this preparatory work, done by journalists, intellectuals, etc. towards the awakening of the public opinion in Turkey. If this preliminary work is not accomplished, the Turkish government cannot recognize Armenians’ massacres as a genocide.”
From Ralph: “How can Orhan Kemal Cengiz, of all people, conflate and confuse distinct issues -- unless the subject has disturbed him beyond sense. The premeditated and meticulously orchestrated massacre by the Young Turk ‘junta’ of the Armenians of Anatolia, by various means, not least the death march (one copied by Tito) fully fits the definition and intent of racial genocide. This is quite distinct from French political ‘conspiracy’ -- as claimed by many -- to ‘use’ the issue to garner votes from the French Armenian diaspora (if indeed this is the sole motive -- doubtful. Surely some/many proponents and supporters of the bill are sincere). Above all, the fact remains that modern Turkey, and apparently the majority of the citizens of Turkey, have failed dismally to come to terms with the dreadful events of 1915 perpetrated by the Ottoman Turkish authorities, nationalist and racist and murderous, of that time, many of whom became protagonists and prominent figures in the founding and evolution of the Republic of Turkey. Most bewildering is Orhan’s claim that the French bill, come law, to make denial of the Armenian genocide a criminal offence, obstructs Turkish recognition of this genocide. This is nonsensical. … The French bill, whether to be approved by the president or not, should encourage the people of Turkey to demand the same in their own Parliament, to acknowledge the truth and bury the lie Turkey has lived for almost a century. Let the citizens of Turkey be set free from this dreadful denial of one of the greatest crimes of recent history.”
There are so many other brilliant, thought-provoking comments, but my space has allowed me to only quote this much.
