Third of three parts
Re “We Armenians deserve the Resolution — but, Really, Who Needs It?”
[Editor’s Note: During the Armenian Genocide (1915-1917), almost 1.5 million Armenians, a minority rival community, were systematically murdered by the rulers of Turkey. For the past 93 years, Turkey successfully has resisted most international attempts to have the massacres officially labeled “genocide” — including by the United States. Recognition remains a delicate, politically charged debate here and elsewhere. In today’s concluding installment, Dr. Cohen, an expert on the genocide and Armenian history, exquisitely describes her direct link to the massacre the world largely seems to have forgotten. This is the second half of her response to Friday’s essay by Colby J. Cooper. It appeared two weeks ago in the Mobile Press-Register in Alabama. He explained why he opposes the notion that America should join the 20 countries of the world who formally label the holocaust “Armenian Genocide.”]
Mr. Cooper, if, at the beginning of the last century, we had had courageous governments in the world who would think more about humanity and justice and less about personal needs and company profits, maybe the Holocaust never would have happened.
Maybe if there had been more courageous leaders who would have forcefully and immediately condemned the Holocaust, perhaps the astounding suffering by the peoples of Cambodia, Rwanda and Darfur could have been avoided.
Courage was called for. But courage was missing.
In every genocide, the executioners give good reasons for justifying their atrocities.
When they are weak in their arguments, they use religious reasons or acts of terror to validate their acts.
It Won’t Endure Forever
In modern times, they express their extreme disdain by closing their enemies’ embassies, military bases, or they unilaterally impose economic sanctions.
Well, sir, America is more powerful than you think.
The United States’ scientists, even the ordinary people, are more able than one can imagine.
By voting for justice, from the beginning of our country, we prove we are walking in the footsteps of our founders. We show that we act upon what we truly believe.
Have we not learned a simple lesson from the bible when Abraham argued with God over the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah?
For a just man like Abraham, it was important to bargain with God and save just one good person!
Perhaps if our government finally votes for the Armenian Genocide resolution, Turkey will close the American embassy for awhile, but they will not shut it down forever. As much as we need them, they need us.
In this young century, we all need each other; no one can stay isolated from the world community.
It is possible that a company may lose an expensive contract with a Turkish firm if Congress approves the resolution.
History Constantly Goes Around
But the pain will be temporary. New contracts will follow. History repeats itself, always.
On the day Hilter gave the order to exterminate the Jews, one of his confidantes asked: “What will we answer to the world?”
Hitler said: “Who remembers the Armenians now?”
I am also a third generation of the Armenian Genocide.
Even today, I have not forgotten the courageous but sad face of my grandmother.
I have witnessed the lonely and quiet life of a young woman who suffered without words.
My mother suffered for a lifetime by not having a father, not even knowing how he looked.
I grew up not having a normal family, visiting my grandparents, enjoying aunts and uncles. Although I felt their pain and their suffering when I was a child, I learned courage and honesty from the vulnerable, terrified victims of the Ottoman Empire.
Personally, I do not need a resolution to pass.
I know the Genocide existed.
I have many proofs.
Do I need world leaders to wake up after 95 years and vote that “Yes, there was an Armenian Genocide”?
Do I need to know that some leaders will not vote yes because they or their children are doing multi-million dollar business deals with Turkey? They reason that if they vote yes, their business interests and contracts will stop.
My grandmother and my mother have asked nothing from the Turkish government.
My ancestors loved their country, and look how they were treated.
To honorable members of committees or the Congress who are going to vote on Genocide, I say: I really don’t need your vote.
I know the truth.
How long are you going to play a cat and mouse game? How long are you going to be slaves to political pressure? The Turkish government spends a lot of money to stop any action that would recognize the Armenian Genocide.
Years ago, one of the famous American film company produced “The Forty Days of Musa Dagh.” The day the film was to be released, the producer and the company were under so much pressure that the release of was stopped. It ended up on the shelves of their archives.
When a memorial to the Armenian tragedy is going to be erected in a city, the same breathtaking pressure re-emerges.
Thank God, there are more courageous Muslim citizens in Turkey these days who want to know the truth.
Some, courageously and amazingly, even write about Armenian Genocide, although the threat of prison confronts them.
The Turks and Muslims are brave nations.
Deep in their hearts, they admire brave individuals.
Mr. Cooper, I wonder if the unconscious psychological fear of your great grandparents (a known characteristic of survivors) has been transferred to you, unconsciously..
It is surprising to not recognize in you the best known Armenian trait, “bravery.”
If, after 95 years, our elected members have not learned the truth and do not have enough courage to find out the truth, it is sad and disappointing to know that we have such cowards, such undereducated representatives in our government.
What are we going to expect tomorrow when we have to stand up against a country that we depend on for oil and gas? Will there be enough courageous politicians who will speak loud for justice?
The United States is still a powerful country.
God has given us all we need if, we do not abuse our resources.
Believe me, we do not need others. They need us.
They are against us because we have lost our dignity.
They respect us when we are strong, and when they can trust our strength.
In ending, I would like to add that by reading your article, I can see the reason why President Bush was criticized so much during and after his Presidency
Now I understand the reason for the failures in his foreign policies. Success in politics needs wisdom, honesty and courage.
I see that we all owe more to our brave soldiers than to our conservative politicians.
Dr. Cohen may be contacted at rosemary@atelierdeparis.com
