Spring Break
An unlikely battle
SMU caught in crossfire over Turkish-Armenian dialogue
Caitlin Booker, Contributing Writer, cebooker@smu.edu
Issue date: 4/18/07 Section: News
"I know the organization committee invited 14 to 15 Armenian scholars. I know some of them did not come or declined because they misunderstood the conference as one pertaining to genocide," he said.
Of 12 panelists in the dialogue, only one Armenian, Armenian Patriarch of Istanbul, His Beatitude Mesrob II Mutafyan, was invited to participate in the dialogue.
Archbishop Barsamian argued that Article 301 of Turkish law hampered the Patriarch, who resides in the capital of Turkey, from expressing his true thoughts and concerns. Article 301 of Turkish law makes it a crime to "denigrate Turkishness." Violators have often faced heavy fines, imprisonment and assassination attempts by Turkish nationalists.
"The Armenians in the audience were very grateful that the Armenian Patriarch was there. He was a very moving speaker," said Kumas.
Affirming what some call the Armenian Genocide has proven a contentious issue that has prompted scores of assassinations of scholars throughout the world. In January, internationally known journalist and peace-award winner Hrant Dink was assassinated for addressing the issue of the Armenian Genocide in his Agos newspaper.
The debate has been over whether to define the death of 1.5 million Armenian Christians from 1915 to 1918 as "genocide" during the government of the Young Turks in the Ottoman Empire.
A number of Western academics in the field of Ottoman history, including scholars from Princeton, universities in France, Columbia, UCLA, University of Massachussets, University of London and Central European University have expressed doubts as to the genocidal character of the events.
"Many people believe that the Russians used the Armenian cause to get to the Mediterranean. Thousands died on both sides in the relocation. We are all very sorry … [but] I do not believe that the event was genocide," said Kumas.
The International Association of Genocide Scholars, the leading academic association of professionals in the field of genocide studies, has repeatedly affirmed the historical truth of the Armenian Genocide and noted that such acknowledgement by governments and institutions is essential to confront the ongoing cycles of genocide today.
Archbishop Barsamian said he remains ready to engage in authentic dialogue.
"I look forward to working with SMU, its student groups and others of good will to organize a truly balanced panel capable of discussing the Armenian Genocide and the future of the Armenian-Turkish relations," he said.
Of 12 panelists in the dialogue, only one Armenian, Armenian Patriarch of Istanbul, His Beatitude Mesrob II Mutafyan, was invited to participate in the dialogue.
Archbishop Barsamian argued that Article 301 of Turkish law hampered the Patriarch, who resides in the capital of Turkey, from expressing his true thoughts and concerns. Article 301 of Turkish law makes it a crime to "denigrate Turkishness." Violators have often faced heavy fines, imprisonment and assassination attempts by Turkish nationalists.
"The Armenians in the audience were very grateful that the Armenian Patriarch was there. He was a very moving speaker," said Kumas.
Affirming what some call the Armenian Genocide has proven a contentious issue that has prompted scores of assassinations of scholars throughout the world. In January, internationally known journalist and peace-award winner Hrant Dink was assassinated for addressing the issue of the Armenian Genocide in his Agos newspaper.
The debate has been over whether to define the death of 1.5 million Armenian Christians from 1915 to 1918 as "genocide" during the government of the Young Turks in the Ottoman Empire.
A number of Western academics in the field of Ottoman history, including scholars from Princeton, universities in France, Columbia, UCLA, University of Massachussets, University of London and Central European University have expressed doubts as to the genocidal character of the events.
"Many people believe that the Russians used the Armenian cause to get to the Mediterranean. Thousands died on both sides in the relocation. We are all very sorry … [but] I do not believe that the event was genocide," said Kumas.
The International Association of Genocide Scholars, the leading academic association of professionals in the field of genocide studies, has repeatedly affirmed the historical truth of the Armenian Genocide and noted that such acknowledgement by governments and institutions is essential to confront the ongoing cycles of genocide today.
Archbishop Barsamian said he remains ready to engage in authentic dialogue.
"I look forward to working with SMU, its student groups and others of good will to organize a truly balanced panel capable of discussing the Armenian Genocide and the future of the Armenian-Turkish relations," he said.
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 11
Binali Kaya
posted 4/20/07 @ 3:30 AM EST
I have attended the conference. It neither acknowledged nor denied the genocide. I have observed that it was balanced. Believe it or not, some speakers made statements close to Armenian allegations. (Continued…)
Chris Papanyan
posted 4/21/07 @ 12:37 AM EST
"And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."
John 8:32
No Armenian, and no human being in general is going to be open to any dialogue that has as a pre-condition the denial of the truth. (Continued…)
Osman Akin
posted 4/21/07 @ 6:18 AM EST
I did not attend the conference, but I wish I did. I worked with and talked to Armenians. Some constructed their identity upon my hate, they don`t even want to talk to me just because what I am. (Continued…)
Mehmet Buyukozer
posted 4/21/07 @ 6:59 AM EST
I'm very saddened to hear SMU pulled its support from this very eye opening, unbiased and realistic event. As a Turk living in USA, I'm unhappy not to be able to explain our side of story or at least to talk on this issue. (Continued…)
Kakajan Komurov
posted 4/21/07 @ 11:02 AM EST
I attended the conference. I think it was an honest attempt for a dialogue between turkish and armenian scholars, although it may not have been very successful as non of the invited armenian scholars showed up. (Continued…)
Robert Minderton
posted 4/21/07 @ 12:26 PM EST
I am an Armenian and spent some time in Istanbul, Turkey.I have many Turkish friends and they are really friendly and helped me always. I think conference was success and this kind of events must continue tobuild up dialoque between big Armenian and Turkish people. (Continued…)
Murat Kaya
posted 4/21/07 @ 1:19 PM EST
I have attended the conference and find the organizers very sincere about opening dialogue channels between two societies. There were some Armenian activists there and objected that there should be more Armenian scholars. (Continued…)
Murat Cakar
posted 4/21/07 @ 2:07 PM EST
Once again, I realized the consequences of not having a proper dialog between these nations. In this sense, I am so grateful to organizers for this opportunity to overcome this communication and tolerance problem. (Continued…)
G. Groups
posted 4/21/07 @ 3:55 PM EST
I was there too and I dont agree with Archbishop Barsamian thougts about conference. I saw some Armenians in the audience was standing up and speaking freely. (Continued…)
Zara
posted 4/22/07 @ 5:02 PM EST
I am from Armenia. I haven't any idea of that meeting, but I just want to say, that truth is only one, and even after 92 or 1000 years it will be the same! TURKISH MADE GENOCIDE!!!! And it is the fact which can't be ignored or even approoved. (Continued…)
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