Genocide Anniversary

Yesterday (April 24th) was the 95th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, when the Ottoman Turks exterminated 1.5 million Armenians. The TV went on early in my family’s home and was tuned into a Yerevan station that showed a long all-day procession of people laying flowers at the Armenian Genocide Memorial in Yerevan. In Gyumri there was a procession with flower-carrying people through the city to the main square where the local government was providing transportation to a memorial site, about an hour out of the city, where Turks had pushed Armenians to their deaths over a cliff at the time of the genocide. At three in the afternoon, with my family, I watched an excellent Italian movie about the genocide, which was dubbed in Armenian. (I was a little lost!)

Two days ago Armenia announced that they were dropping out of the protocols that were supposed to lead to an agreement to open the Turkish border because the Turks are asking for many preconditions before the border opens, which are unrealistic at this time, and which were not part of the original agreement. It’s hard not to feel disappointed because I think that the border opening would bring many economic benefits to Armenia. My family appeared relieved at this announcement.

I returned a few weeks ago from a vacation in Turkey and have had to restrain what I would like to say to the Armenians about Turkey. Turkey is a country with many problems, so I can understand why the EU is not jumping at the opportunity to admit them as members. At the same time it has a lot to offer Armenia. I am not sure that even an apology from the Turks would suffice for the Armenians who can’t forget the horrors of 1915 and who spend a great deal of time assuring that their children don’t forget it either. It’s hard for me to see how the grounds for respect, which are necessary for a beneficial relationship, can be laid.