Armenian Genocide Debate Persists

Your April 20 story, “Marchers Remind World of 1915 Armenian Genocide,” unfortunately portrays as fact a one-sided perspective of historical events in what is now Turkey. It is certainly appropriate for Armenians to remember the loss of their ancestors during the waning days of the Ottoman Empire.

It should also be acknowledged, however, that hundreds of thousands of Turks also died as a result of the Armenian revolt in the Ottoman Empire’s eastern provinces. Cataclysmic forces brought on by war, such as disease and famine, also played a great role in these human sufferings.

Armenian claims of genocide, however, have never been historically or legally substantiated, which leads one to question the ulterior motives of those advancing these allegations.

Regardless, Armenian activists’ pursuit of recognition has continued. Through all of this, Turkey has pursued the facts. We’ve opened our archives to researchers. Turkish scholars in different platforms have tried to work with Armenian counterparts toward a common understanding of the period. And earlier this month, Turkey’s prime minister issued an unprecedented proposal to Armenia’s president for an impartial study of the matter by Turkish and Armenian historians under international auspices.

We hope Armenian expatriates will support this endeavor, as we seek a reconciliation that will allow us to look forward -- together -- to a peaceful and prosperous future from which Armenians most certainly may even have more to gain.

Anil Bora Inan

Vice Consul

Consulate General

of the Republic of Turkey

Los Angeles

*

Congratulations for a well-written and well-researched story on the ongoing march of hundreds of Armenians from Fresno to Sacramento to honor the 1.5 million Armenians killed by Ottoman Turks 90 years ago.

Among the victims of the Armenian genocide were my great-grandparents and practically all their relatives and friends. They lived in Harput, a rural village at the base of a mountain in what is now eastern Turkey. So many people were killed by the Ottoman Turks in Harput that the village was nicknamed “the graveyard of Armenia.”

I grew up hearing stories about my great-grandparents from their few surviving relatives. These people lived in a remote section of the world a long time ago. They were not “tragic victims” of World War I, as Turkey alleges. They were murdered, and everything they owned was taken. It’s as simple as that.

So, for them and for all victims of the first genocide of the 20th century, I thank each and every person who participated in the march.

Bob Shemeligian

Las Vegas