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Monday, 20 January, 2003, 15:24 GMT
Read your comments
Victims of one of the worst crimes of our age
Armenia: The Betrayed. There has been an unprecedented e-mail response reacting to the film and the issues raised. We will be publishing as many as we can to give a balanced view throughout the week. In the 19th century in the Ottoman Empire - 29 Armenians achieved the highest governmental rank of Pasha, 22 Armenians became ministers, including Ministers of Foreign Affairs, 33 Armenians were elected to the Parliament, 7 Armenians were appointed as Ambassadors, 11 as Consul Generals, 11 Armenians served in universities as professors. Is it called "genocide"? Sarp Turk, Turkey
Instead of relying on US Presidents, for the official recognition of the Armenian Genocide, Armenians would maybe, yes maybe, achieve better results if they communicated the grave injustices they have suffered, directly with the Turkish People. After all, at the time, they were the Citizens of the same state, which the Turkish People of today, were then. Maybe, direct communication across the border, people to people, would achieve more positive results.
These one-sided allegations ignore the other (Moslem/Turkish) victims killed, tortured, mutilated by Armenian gangsters - then and now - in the Armenian-Azarbayjani war.They should come to the land in which these events happened and listen to horror stories by a few Survivors and their children before forming their opinions.
Hrand , UK
It is quite interesting that you choose to show such a programme with prejudice against Turkish people especially when Turkish government does not allow British forces use Turkish land to invade Iraq.
I am not sure if Turkey did something to Armenian people. However, I am really sure that it has already happened and we cannot change history. Please hear the voices of children who will probably die if you do not try for them.
The Armenian massacres should be recognised for what they are - genocide
Sencerbulut, England
I found the programme was preposterous and one sided. The programme has only found and showed the facts and documents that BBC want it to show and have not mentioned the suffering of Kurdish and Turkish people in that area at the time by Armenians with an alliance of Russian troops. The uprising was created by Russians, and Armenians who betrayed the Ottomans. I like to repeat the same words as that old villager has said near Van - it was a time of war - as a grandson of murdered man by Armenians.
It is not at all surprising that the British Empire with her legacy of plundering and massacres should resort to downright lying when she finds it necessary. The real face of the British Empire is portrayed in Jonathan Swift's "A Modest Proposal". With a face like that, the British Empire can do anything. Nothing can be beneath her. The British Empire has committed hundreds of atrocities for economic gains. For an empire that could watch millions of Irish people die of hunger, this last deed is of little importance and should not anger anybody. Betrayal: It is the British cup of tea.
The history of mankind has many examples of this behaviour "Man's inhumanity to Man". These actions have occurred throughout history, and in every continent. All of these massacres should be admitted and rejected, yet I find that the Jews have decided that their treatment by the Nazis is more important, and more publicised, than any other of equally important injustices, for example the "Highland Clearances" are virtually ignored in Scotland, while the Jews have a day of remembrance of an event that had no connection with this Country. Why?
Elen (Armenian), USA
I would like to quickly note that the world does not know who they are dealing with. The Armenian nation, itself, has committed genocide and numerous crimes against humanity in their war with Azerbaijan. In my mind they are not in a position to lobby for the recognition of their imaginary genocide.
Thank you for the programme - it has been such a long time coming. My mother who is 88 lost her father and her brother. She was only a baby then but the legacy of the genocide - the loss, the sadness, the mourning has resounded throughout our family over the years. Why, please, was there no mention of the failures of the British government in recognizing the genocide?
Omer Acar, UK
Anyone who decides that this program was one sided obviously did not watch it with their eyes open. Turkey had their say; they said what was expected - constant denial, denial is the final act of genocide. Those who compare to other countries and other wars and other wrongs that have been done by other nations, but no peace can be made, no right can be taught and no one can mock without acceptance. I pity anyone who does not have the self respect and decency to step back and question themselves, their teachers and their country. Do we really live in a world that is so ready to swallow lies?
What is claimed to be a coincidence is not a coincidence at all. The broadcast time of the program called "Armenia: The Betrayed" seems to have been timed perfectly to coincide with the preparations for Iraq war, Holocaust memorial week and the negotiations on the future of Cyprus - all at the same time.
It is a real disappointment for us that by showing this program BBC becomes a tool for this unjust and racist assault on Turkish identity, which is aimed at judging and haunting the lives of all Turks, even yet unborn Turkish children.
I fear that, for as long as Turkey remains Britain and America's key ally in the Middle East, they will never allow their own governments to acknowledge it. If Turkey ever wants to join the European Union acknowledgement of what happened to the Armenians should be a pre-requisite for them to be even considered as members. Thank You to the BBC for bringing these terrible atrocities to the attention of more people. Armenians are wonderful people; I am married to one, and at the very least deserve to have a full apology from the Turkish Government.
It is about time that those big shots to stop playing games and have a moment to look in the dictionary for the meaning of the word "genocide" and address this issue to the guilty parties and not encourage them with the continuation of the denial. In all fairness of the term they should be ashamed of themselves for playing those political games under the pretence of political allies.
I think the world should accept the slaughter of innocent Armenians. The American government decided not to accept the genocide because they had bases in Turkey. They chose politics over human rights. How can Turkey deny the genocide and say there is no evidence because there are lots of photographs and written documents that prove of the genocide taking place. Even my grand-father fled to France during the genocide.
Koral, UK
It is all very well for the US or England or Russia or any country to recognise the suffering these people suffered at the hand of the Turks, but until the Turkish government admits to what really happened I believe only then can true healing begin.
Modern law dictates that everybody is innocent until proven guilty, and everybody has the right to defend himself. There is very little evidence against Turkey. Until proven otherwise, these claims can only be termed "alleged genocide", and Turkey's "denial" can be better termed as righteous self-defence. Are we going to convict Turkey based on a signal letter written by an American ambassador?
George Valsamakis, UK
Armenians had been living in this region peacefully for centuries. Only after they joined with the Russian army to kill at least as many Turks, did the Turks retaliate. If anything, it was a two-sided genocide. History is full of crimes committed by many civilized nations. But I'm proud to have Armenian friends here in Istanbul and love them just as much as my Turkish friends. Peace can win - if we can learn to forgive. I, personally, forgive all Armenians and beg for their forgiveness.
Every Nation had war against other nations. Americans got their lands from Redskins, English men settled on other peoples' land and proud of it. Germans fought against Jews. In a time of war, as every country did, Ottomans tried to save their country. Every Nation should clear their history then they could look to others. I believe that we should look to future in the perspective of peace. If you try to mix the history and raise enemy feelings I am sure you will drowned in it.
I commend your decency and willingness to put up with the denialists who will undoubtedly flood you with complaints. It is a question of truth against overwhelming power. Denial is the final act of genocide.
Baris Dur, Turkey
I think it will be a good idea to have this programme broadcast. It will be very educational for those that are not aware what happened in 1915.
You should also consider and evaluate Turkish opinions before broadcasting this so-called "genocide" tale. There has never been such an incident and nobody, even "serious" BBC journalists, is entitled to re-write history.
Marina Davtyan, Los Angeles, California
I protest about this broadcast since, I'm sure, this programme will be single-sided, because I know that no one has been called from Turkish academic world who are able to present the Turkish thesis and defend our opinions. If the BBC says that neutral broadcasting is one of their principles then either they should cancel this program or postpone it until they invite a Turkish historian.
The time for Turkish denial of the genocide has come to an end. The burden of our murdered forefathers' souls is eating away at every Turk's conscience and has become too much for them to bear. Only by recognizing and admitting to one's past misdeeds can one's soul be at peace and the healing process begins. May God lead them to the right path.
For many years, we Turks and Armenians have lived in a brotherly manner. There is no proof about the genocide. You try to insist on keeping the subject alive and this will damage the brotherhood relationship between Armenians and Turks. I have many Armenian friends. They do not accept the genocide thesis and are ashamed of those who do. Please ask about our relationship with our friends - Armenians in Turkey. Neither Turks nor Ottomans mistreated any nation in this country for many years.
We didn't exploit any nation or any country like the English did in the past and present.
Disclaimer: The BBC will put up as many of your comments as possible but we cannot guarantee that all e-mails will be published. The BBC reserves the right to edit comments that are published.
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Please hear the voices of children who will probably die if you do not try for them
