Germany & the Genocide

[Yervant1]

Deutsche Welle: If Merkel backs out the Armenian Genocide resolution,
may face further criticism over kowtowing to Turkey


POLITICS 20:34 24/04/2016 WORLD


As Armenia commemorates 101 years since the Great Crime, Germany is
still not sure whether "genocide" is officially the right word. A
scheduled early-June debate in the Bundestag could complicate
relations with Turkey, Deutsche Welle writes.

As the source reports, April 24 commemorates the 101st anniversary of
the events that commonly refer to as the Armenian Genocide. And, if a
plan agreed to by the ruling Christian Democrats (CDU) and their
Bavarian sister party, the Christian Social Union, comes to fruition;
Germany could also do so soon. Or at the very least discuss doing so -
once again.

The decision by the governing coalition, which includes the Social
Democrats, was forced when the opposition Greens introduced a
resolution in February to recognize the massacre, deportation and
starvation of up to 1.5 million Armenians during the dying days of the
Ottoman Empire as "genocide."

The Greens ultimately pulled the measure after the governing coalition
agreed to work on a joint resolution. That was good timing for
Chancellor Angela Merkel and her EU counterparts ahead of March's
critical summit to seal a controversial deal on refugees and
deportations with Turkey.
The Bundestag will likely take up the debate on June 2 - just before
the summer parliamentary recess - according to an agreement reached in
April between the Greens and the government, the source informs.

It reminds, that last April 24, on the 100th anniversary of the
Bundestag postponed voting on a similar resolution to classify the
mass killings as genocide. Yet the accompanying debate clearly showed
that parliamentarians from all factions in parliament viewed the
massacre as such.

German President Joachim Gauck and CDU Bundestag President Norbert
Lammert both used the term to describe the cleansing of ethnic
Armenians from eastern Anatolia. The draft resolution also recognized
Germany's role in the killings as an Ottoman allies in World War I and
called for a rapprochement between Turkey and Armenia.

According to the source, the governing coalition opted not to vote on
the resolution last April For strategic reasons, “to avoid a
confrontation with Turkey at a time when large numbers of displaced
people were transiting the country en route to Germany and the
European Union.”

The fact that Germany and the EU have now signed a pact with Turkey on
refugees - a deal that officials in Ankara have repeatedly threatened
to withdraw from - puts additional pressure on Merkel's government,
reads the article, adding given Germany's need for Turkey's
cooperation with refugees and deportations, it is unclear how or if a
vote in June would proceed, while backing out could set up Merkel for
further criticism that she is kowtowing to Turkey.

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[Yervant1]

Thomas Oppermann: Bundestag to accept resolution on Armenian Genocide in June

http://www.groong.com/news/attachments/msg572469/pngAo_m_2NAdW.png

POLITICS 15:48 02/05/2016

“The Bundestag will adopt a resolution on June 2, concerning characterization of the mass murder and expulsion of Armenians during World War I as genocide the,” Social Democratic Party member, Thomas Oppermann told the Tagesspiegel, reports Deutsche Welle.

Oppermann noted that violent reactions from Turkey should not be an obstacle.

The initiative for a resolution on the Armenian Genocide has already been suggested to be on the agenda by the Greens a year ago on the 100th anniversary of the genocide. After a parliamentary debate, it was decided to adopt the resolution in April 2015. Yet considering the negotiations on the refugee crisis with Turkey, the leading coalition representatives called the timing inappropriate. Still, German President Joachim Gauck has already referred to the massacre of Armenians, calling it a “genocide” and pointing out Germany’s participation.

However, Turkey has warned the German Bundestag not to adopt a resolution naming the expulsion and massacres of Armenians by Turkey a “genocide”.

"It is not the place of national parliaments to judge history. “Genocide” is a legal concept defined by the Geneva Convention. In this case, it shouldn’t be excluded that politicians can act on political or religious motives,” Turkish Ambassador to Germany, Huseyin Avni Karslioglu told Rheinische Post on May 2.
He also said that with accepting of the resolution, Bundestag would hinder further improvement of Armenian-Turkish relations.

http://www.panorama.am/en/news/2016/05/02/Thomas-Oppermann-Bundestag-Armenian-Genocide/1572603

[Yervant1]

Turks are in their usual mode of action, complain, withdraw the ambassador and send him back with his tail between their legs!

Turkey warns Bundestag against recognition of Armenian Genocide

23:10, 02 May 2016
Siranush Ghazanchyan

Turkey has warned the Bundestag not to condemn the annihilation of
Armenians by Turkey as genocide,Bild reports.

“It is not the role of national parliaments to judge history,”Turkish
Ambassador to Germany Hüseyin Avni Karslioglu told the
Düsseldorf-based Rheinische Post.

The Ambasaador said “the genocide is a legal concept defined by the
Geneva Convention and it’s only up to international courts to rule on
the issue.”

“It is questionable whether the Bundestag will contribute to
normalization of relations between Turkey and Armenia with a
resolution in which the events are called genocide,” Karslioglu said.

Rather, he said, “the two nations should be encouraged to cooperate
with regard to this tragic period of history” and pointed to Ankara’s
offer to form a commission of historians.

The German Bundestag is set to vote on an Armenian Genocide bill on
June 2, according to an agreement reached in April between the Greens
and the government.

The ruling coalition, the Left and the Alliance90/Green Parties have
reached an agreement to call the 1915 events “genocide.”

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[Yervant1]

Հայոց Ցեղասպանութիւնը». Գերմանացի Պատգամաւոր

http://www.ragmamoul.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/6.jpg

«Յունիս 2-ին Պունտեսթակը Պիտի Ճանչնայ Հայոց Ցեղասպանութիւնը». Գերմանացի Պատգամաւոր

Posted By: adminPosted date: May 04, 2016in: Հայրենի ԼուրերNo Comments

Գերմանիոյ Ընկերվար ժողովրդավարական կուսակցութեան (SPD) խորհրդարանական խումբի նախագահ Թոմաս Օպերման, մեկնաբանութիւններ ըրած է Պունտեսթակի մէջ քննարկուելիք Հայոց Ցեղասպանութեան ճանաչման բանաձեւին վերաբերեալ: Թրքական «Հիւրիյէթ» թերթի կայքին տեղեկացմամբ` ան համոզուած է, որ դաշնային խորհրդարանը պիտի ճանչնայ Հայոց Ցեղասպանութիւնը:

«Յունիս 2-ին դաշնային խորհրդարանը պիտի ընդունի, որ առաջին համաշխարհային պատերազմի ժամանակ հայերու զանգուածային կոտորածներն ու տեղահանութիւնները Ցեղասպանութիւն եղած են», ermenihaber.am-ի փոխանցամբ նշած է Օպերման:

«Հակառակ անոր, որ իշխող համախառն կառավարութեան անդամ Ընկերվար ժողովրդավարական կուսակցութիւնը դէմ արտայայտուեցաւ ատոր, վարչապետ Անկելա Մերքել այնուամենայնիւ թոյլ տուաւ, որ ծաղրանկարիչ Պեօհմերմանի դէմ քրէական գործ յարուցուի, որ սխալ էր: Նոյն այդ պատճառով ալ պէտք է հաստատել Հայոց Ցեղասպանութեան բանաձեւը», աւելցուցած է պատգամաւորը:

Նշենք, որ անցեալ տարի եւս Պունտեսթակի օրակարգ բերուած էր Հայոց Ցեղասպանութեան ճանաչումը նախատեսող բանաձեւ, որուն ընդունումը խոչնդոտած էին Գերմանիոյ Քրիստոնէական միութիւն (CDU/CSU) եւ Ընկերվար ժողովրդավարական (SPD) կուսակցութիւններու խորհրդարանական խումբերը:

[Yervant1]

We'll wait and see, June 2 is not far away!

Bundestag resolution will affirm the term “genocide,” German lawmaker says

12:35, 06 May 2016
Siranush Ghazanchyan

The Bundestag will affirm the term” genocide,” in a resolution to be
discussed in June this year, Member of Bundestag, President of
Germany-Armenia Forum Albert Weiler said in Yerevan.

He voiced hope that the document on the recognition and condemnation
of the Armenian Genocide would be comprehensively considered in the
German Bundestag.

Albert Weiler has been granted a title of Honorable Doctor of the
National University of Architecture and Construction of Armenia for
the contribution to the strengthening of the Armenian-German
friendship.

He has been blacklisted by Azerbaijan for visiting Nagorno Karabakh.

The German Bundestag is set to vote on an Armenian Genocide bill on
June 2, according to an agreement reached in April between the Greens
and the government.

The ruling coalition, the Left and the Alliance90/Green Parties have
reached an agreement to call the 1915 events “genocide.”

https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.armradio.am_en_2016_05_06_bundestag-2Dresolution-2Dwill-2Daffirm-2Dthe-2Dterm-2Dgenocide-2Dgerman-2Dlawmaker-2Dsays_&d=DQIFaQ&c=clK7kQUTWtAVEOVIgvi0NU5BOUHhpN0H8p7CSfnc_gI&r=LVw5zH6C4LHpVQcGEdVcrQ&m=d6IMUybJUbkU_aWu29zqL6frw75iC0SklGQngVgwBfI&s=8D9i2sXpfQBAGMi1jo6usaPpTvvedUpZiuUJLjSIC_w&e=

 

[Yervant1]

Bundestag to recognize Armenian Genocide with vast majority of votes:
Albert Weiler

14:51, 06 May 2016
Siranush Ghazanchyan

The German Bundestag will approve the Resolution on recognition of the
Armenian Genocide on June 2, Member of Bundestag, Head of the
Germany-Armenia Forum Albert Weiler declared in Yerevan today.

“I assure that the Armenian Genocide recognition bill will be put on a
vote at the plenary session of the Bundestag. I think the resolution
will pass with a vast majority of the votes, he said.

According to Weiler, the parliamentary forces are still holding
discussions on the content of the bill, but one thing is clear – the
term ‘genocide’ will be included in the title, and the events of 1915
will finally have the right formulation.

Referring to Turkish Ambassador’s warning to Germany, Weiler noted
that “not only the Turkish, but also the Azerbaijani side is trying to
interfere with the issue.” Despite that he hopes that the bill will
pass almost unanimously.

The German lawmaker said “part of the resolution will refer to the
restructuring of the Armenian-German relations.” “Germany should take
up the responsibility of contributing to the normalization of the
Armenian-Turkish relations,” he said.

“Recognition of the Armenian Genocide will be a message to Armenia and
Turkey to normalize the bilateral relations irrespective of the forces
in power in Turkey. I hope the day we’ll be able to cross the Turkish
border with my Armenian friends is not far away,” the Member of
Bundestag said.

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[Yervant1]

Karabakh diplomat: Turkey is trying to influence German authorities

00:37, 07.05.2016

Turkey is in every way trying to influence the German authorities so
that the Bundestag doesn’t use the G-word in the Resolution on
Armenian Genocide, Permanent Representative of Nagorno-Karabakh to
Germany, Harutyun Grigoryan, told Armenian News – NEWS.am.

“The German government has recognized the Genocide, and this will be
followed by corresponding consequences. There might be inter-political
processes in Germany, which will suppose adoption of relevant points
in the decisions, based on the fact that the German parliament has
recognized the actions of the Ottoman Empire as a Genocide,” he
stated.

Grigoryan also noted that the German ruling parties, Christian
Democratic Union of Germany (CDU) and Christian Social Union in
Bavaria (CSU), constantly state that the Ottoman Empire committed a
genocide.

“That is, Germany crossed a certain line, and there will be no return,
while the expected resolution will be adopted; all the Bundestag
factions will vote for it. I don’t know how much this text will be
changed, but I suppose that there will be certain changes, and we
expect to see the word “genocide,” he added.

“Turkey understands this, knowing what it faces and is trying to fall
back on the last possible means. You know how dependant German
authorities are from Turkey. The latter plays a key role in the
current policy of German migrants. The Turkish community influences
the German policy. But I hope that the German authorities will do what
they have decided to do,” Grigoryan stressed.

During his visit to Yerevan in April, MP and member of Bundestag
Committee on Foreign Affairs, Christoph Bergner, noted that in early
June Bundestag will discuss a draft resolution where the 1915 events
will be named genocide.

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[Yervant1]

Impossible to postpone Armenian Genocide bill further, Bundestag VP says

17:48, 09 May 2016
Siranush Ghazanchyan

Twice-postponed Armenian Genocide draft will be brought to Bundestag’s
agenda on June 2. Green Party member and Vice President of the
Bundestag Claudia Roth spoke to Agos. Reminding that Ambassador of
Turkey to Germany Hüseyin Avni Karslıoğlu warned Bundestag about the
draft, Roth said, “We don’t accept it. I hope the groups in the
parliament won’t obey Turkey once again and the draft will be accepted
as planned.”

With “Erdowie, Erdowo, Erdogan” video clip and Erdoğan’s lawsuit
against comedian Böhmermann, freedom of expression and oppression on
press in Turkey came to the fore in German public agenda. Though EU
countries, especially Chancellor Merkel, seemingly evaded the
responsibility by signing the Readmission Agreement with Turkey, the
German public opinion is divided over this issue. While the ruling
coalition followers and right-wing support the agreement, liberals and
and left-wing criticize it because it is done at the cost of the lives
of the refugees and EU connives at the violation of rights in Turkey.
In the midst of these discussions, Berlin-based national newspaper Die
Tageszeitung issued a special supplement focusing on freedom of press
in Turkey on May 3 World Press Freedom Day. In order to prepare this
issue, which includes articles from Turkish journalists and published
in Turkish-German for the first time in German press history, 2
editors from Turkey, including me, was invited. This 16-paged
supplement was published with “Uncensored” title and on the day it was
published, a panel discussion on freedom of press in Turkey was held.
Die Welt Turkey representative Deniz Yücel and the Vice President of
the Bundestag Claudia Roth gave speeches at the session.

It is no coincidence that Green Party member and Vice President of the
Bundestag Claudia Roth attended this session. Working for Turkey’s EU
membership since 1989, Roth was one of the Bundestag members who
brought the grave human rights violations in Turkey during ’90s to the
parliamentary agenda. In 2013, during Gezi Park protests, she was
subjected to police brutality. During the recent years, she became the
leading critics of Turkey’s governmental policies.

We spoke to Claudia Roth about Armenian Genocide draft, Germany’s
responsibility in the genocide and the meaning of the Readmission
Agreement in terms of German-Turkish relations.

It is announced that the draft concerning the Armenian Genocide will
be brought to the parliamentary agenda on June 2. Do you think that it
will be accepted this time?

It’s about time. The draft hasn’t been brought to the agenda sooner
because of Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD) and Christian
Democratic Union of Germany (CDU); it is not our fault. We wanted it
to be accepted last year, on the centennial of the genocide. On the
anniversary of the genocide, President Joachim Gauck and the President
of Bundestag Norbert Lammert used the word “genocide”. We said that we
will prepare a draft that all parliamentary groups would accept.
However, the other groups didn’t do this, they tried to postpone it.
And now, CDU leader promised that a common draft will be brought to
the agenda on June 2. On the other hand, we saw on the newspapers that
Turkey Ambassador to Germany warned our parliament about this draft.
He said, “Calling it genocide is not under the authority of a foreign
parliament.” I hope the groups in the parliament won’t obey Turkey
once again and the draft will be accepted as planned.

What do you think about this warning?

This attitude is incomprehensible for me. An ambassador warns
Bundestag openly. We don’t accept it. No embassy and no government can
threaten us. What we discuss or how we resolve an issue is at our
disposal. I hope CDU and SPD will keep their promise, vote for the
draft and define what happened in 1915. And this definition can be
nothing but genocide. We are already late; we should have accepted it
last year. However, SPD thought that it might constitute an obstacle
to the Readmission Agreement. It is impossible to postpone it further.

What will Bundestag’s recognition of the genocide mean?

Recognition will pave the way for discussing our responsibility,
because Germany is also responsible for what happened. German Monarchy
was an ally of Turkey; they didn’t do anything for preventing the
genocide, though they knew everything about it. We have to confront
our past.

Germany’s role in the genocide has came to be discussed more and more
both in Turkey and Germany. Is this also a topic of public
discussions?

Especially on the centennial, this issue was intensely discussed.
However, it started long before the centennial. I remember that Hrant
Dink came to Germany and attended some panel discussions about 10
years ago. I personally discussed this issue with him. We were talking
about whether it is necessary to insist on defining the events as
genocide. He said that opening the issue up for discussion is more
important. However, 10 years passed and Hrant Dink was murdered.
Today, I think that calling it genocide is also our responsibility to
Hrant Dink. So, we will discuss this issue and say that what happened
is genocide. And there is another reason that makes it so important:
the Armenian Genocide is accepted as the first genocide in 20th
century, but Germany is responsible for another genocide, which was
committed 11 years before the Armenian Genocide. The country that is
known as Namibia today was a colony called German South-West Africa.
And in1904-1907, Germany carried out a genocide against indigenous
Herero and Nama people. We think that the recognition of the Armenian
Genocide will enable the discussion of Herero genocide and Germany
will also accept its responsibility for it too. As a result of our
efforts, German Ministry of Foreign Affairs recognized the Herero
Genocide. However, this is not enough, because nothing has been done
for reconciliation yet.

Especially in the recent period, human rights violations in Turkey is
begun to be discussed in Germany. On the other hand, there are
criticisms against EU countries on the ground that they connive at
what is happening in Turkey because of the refugee agreement. As a
politician, do you think that German Parliament should criticize
itself?

Yes, a self-criticism is necessary. When Erdoğan came to power at
first, left-wing and liberals in Turkey was supporting him. There was
a peace process and we thought that a new period is about to start in
Turkey. However, on this point, the self-criticism should be about the
EU membership process of Turkey. We, as EU and Germany, haven’t made
enough effort for Turkey’s full membership. Such an effort would have
led to democratic reforms. We didn’t insist on this process and find
the membership convincing and this was a huge mistake in terms of the
relations with Turkey. Offering “privileged partnership” instead of
full membership doesn’t mean anything. At the end of this process,
Turkey became more alienated from the idea of EU membership.
Preventing Turkey’s full membership but signing an agreement with it
for protecting the “Europe castle” is nothing but hypocrisy. What was
our contribution to the escalation of autocracy in Turkey? Did we sell
out the democrats, journalists and opponents in Turkey by signing this
agreement? Did we sell out democracy? Did we connive at what happened?
We should discuss these issues.

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[Yervant1]

Warnings, warnings and more warnings!

Turkey warns Bundestag against Armenian Genocide recognition

12:46, 10 May 2016
Siranush Ghazanchyan

Turkey on Monday called on German lawmakers to “act reasonably” when
considering a bill next month on recognizing the deaths of Armenians
in 1915 as “genocide”.

Tanju Bilgic, a Foreign Ministry spokesman, said Ankara had been
following the preparation of the resolution and its “politicizing” of
history, Anadolu Agency reports.

“It is possible that if the resolution is approved Turks living in
Germany and Turkey will react seriously,” he said at a weekly news
conference in Ankara. “In this framework, we expect the German
parliament to act in common sense and reasonably.”

German lawmaker Albert Weiler announced in Armenia Friday the
Bundestag would consider a resolution on recognizing the events of
1915 as “genocide” on June 2.

Last year, parliamentary parties approved the resolution in principle
but sent it to committee for further work.

“These [politicians] are further complicating the issue,” Bilgic said.
“Genocide is not an issue that can be abused with political aims.”

He reiterated Turkey’s call to establish a joint commission to
investigate the killings.

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[Yervant1]

German intellectuals urge Merkel to recognize Armenian Genocide

15:49, 11 May, 2016

YEREVAN, MAY 11, ARMENPRESS. German intellectuals, including also
director with Turkish origin Fatih Akin, published an open letter
directed to the German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Bundestag where
they urge Merkel to recognize the Armenian Genocide with the June 2
resolution, “Armenpress” reports, German “Die Zeit” periodical
informs.

In the letter German intellectuals urged “to show clear stance on June
2 and to call the crime against Armenian people with its name which is
genocide”. “Imagine, you live in Germany, where the Holocaust is
denied: won’t it be viewed as a continuation of a crime?”, they write.

“We urge You to stand for the fundamental European values and put
clarity in Your words. The denial of the Armenian Genocide currently
serves the basis for new violence. Armenians were called terrorists in
1915, their property was taken away, and now more than 5.000 Kurdish
people were killed in Turkey in 2015 who were blamed to be terrorists.
All this happened since Turkey regularly refuses to face its history,
and its past, as well as today’s actions do not receive any response
from the international community”, German intellectuals said stating
that Bundestag and its preceding structures kept silence on the
Armenian Genocide for more than 100 years.

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[Yervant1]

Turkologist: Bundestag will not adopt the Genocide resolution (video)

10:47 | May 12,2016 | Interview


“A1+” interviewed turkologist Ruben Melkonyan.

The fact of the Armenian Genocide is in the political arsenal for many
countries and they use it when necessary making use of Turkey’s
complexes.

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[Yervant1]

Bundestag motion on Armenian ‘genocide’ set to infuriate Erdogan

More pressure on EU-Turkey deal on refugees


15/5/16

by: Stefan Wagstyl, Berlin

Germany’s parliament is pressing ahead with a motion condemning the
Armenian massacres by the Ottoman Turks during the first world war as
a “genocide” in a move which will probably infuriate Recep Tayyip
Erdogan, Turkish president, and threaten the fragile EU-Turkey deal on
refugees.

The vote, scheduled for June 2, comes amid a diplomatic scandal over a
German comedian’s obscene anti-Erdogan poem and growing concerns in
the EU about a central element in the refugee deal — the planned
visa-free travel accord for Turks in the Schengen zone.

The motion could further complicate the intensive efforts of Angela
Merkel, German Chancellor, to placate Mr Erdogan and persuade him to
drop threats to scrap the refugee accord out of anger at what he sees
as EU-based disrespect for Turkey.

Ms Merkel could meet the Turkish leader again as soon as next weekend,
when she is visiting Istanbul for a UN conference on emergency aid.

The Bundestag has been discussing a possible genocide motion on the
Armenian massacres since well before last year’s 100th anniversary of
the killings in which up to 1.5m Armenians died. But even after a
passionate parliamentary debate in April 2015, Ms Merkel’s government
resisted efforts led by the opposition Green party to hold a formal
vote.

Even before the refugee crisis, Ms Merkel was concerned about the
potential damage to German-Turkish relations and to the feelings of
nearly 4m people of Turkish origin living in Germany.

However, the government decided last year it could no longer hold the
line in the face of some politicians in the ruling conservative-social
democrat coalition breaking ranks and a wave of explicit genocide
declarations coming from elsewhere, including the Pope.

In remembrance and commemoration of the genocide of the Armenians and
other Christian minorities in the Ottoman Empire 101 years ago

Text of Bundestag agenda item

After negotiations with the Green party, party managers of the CDU/CSU
and SPD have agreed to back a genocide motion. This means it is almost
certain to be passed.

While the text has yet to be published, the agenda item already makes
the intentions clear: “In remembrance and commemoration of the
genocide of the Armenians and other Christian minorities in the
Ottoman Empire 101 years ago.”

The long delay in the vote means it comes at an even more awkward time
than a year ago. However, Cem Özdemir, the Turkish-origin co-leader of
the Greens, told Bild am Sonntag newspaper: “It can well be that there
will be anger in Ankara. But the Bundestag is not letting itself be
blackmailed by a despot like Mr Erdogan.”

In depth

Europe’s migration crisis

The EU is struggling to respond to a surge of desperate migrants that
has resulted in thousands of deaths

Many MPs are already furious that Ms Merkel permitted prosecutors last
month to pursue a criminal case against Jan Böhmermann, a television
comedian who read out a poem accusing Mr Erdogan of having sex with
animals, and “kicking Kurds and beating up Christians while watching
child porn”.

German political leaders have also expressed reservations about the
visa-free travel plan, insisting Turkey must first fulfil tough
conditions, including reforming its anti-terror laws. Mr Erdogan has
threatened to reopen Turkey’s borders for refugees heading for Greece
if he does not get an early travel deal.

Horst Seehofer, CSU leader and Ms Merkel’s most important domestic
political critic, warned this weekend in the Welt newspaper that it
was “dangerous” for Germany to be so despondent on Turkey.
Frank-Walter Steinmeier, the foreign minister from the SPD, also told
Tagesspiegel newspaper that it was up to Turkey to meet the conditions
for visa-free travel. “Turkey knows what needs to be done,” he said.

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[Yervant1]

I will only believe when it happens!

Draft resolution on Armenian Genocide with “genocide” term included in

Bundestag agenda

15:08, 16 May, 2016

YEREVAN, MAY 16, ARMENPRESS. Despite the pressures by the Turkish
side, with the joint initiative of the “Christian Democratic Union/
Christian Social Union” and the Social Democratic Party
parliamentarian factions, the resolution on the Armenian Genocide with
a clear “genocide” term has been included in the Bundestag agenda,
“Armenpress” reports citing the Bundestag official website. The
discussion of the draft resolution on the “Genocides and memory of
Armenians and other Christian minorities in the Ottoman Empire 101
years ago” is scheduled on June 2. The coalition, as well as
opposition factions stand for the draft resolution.

“It is quite possible that there are problems with Ankara, but the
Bundestag cannot be subjected to blackmail by Erdogan dictator. In
case of the corresponding decision by the Bundestag, it will be more
difficult for Turkey to deny the Armenian Genocide”, Chairman of the
Alliance 90/The Greens Cem Ozdemir said thing during an interview to
Bild.

In his turn, Chairman of the Social Democratic Party Thomas Oppermann
stated that Germany as an ally of the Ottoman Empire also bears
responsibility for what happened with Armenians. “This does not depend
on the current political processes, including also the crisis
situation over refugees. We should not admit any false decision”, he
stated.

Head of Bundestag CDU/CSU faction Volker Kauder said the adoption of
the resolution can contribute to the settlement of the Armenia-Turkey
relations. “We with such a step want to help building a bridge between
Armenia and Turkey”, Kauder said.

The discussions in the Bundestag on the adoption of the Armenian
Genocide resolution on February 25, 2016 did not lead to voting.
Alliance '90/The Greens party, which initiated the adoption of the
resolution, recalled the draft for further processing because of
contradicting positions. In 2005, Germany's parliament adopted a
resolution recognizing the Armenian Genocide. However, in the
Bundestag’s decision, the term Armenian Genocide was avoided, and
instead "massacres of Armenians" was used. "On April 24, before the
Bundestag hearings, Germany's Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier
announced that he supports those MPs, who are in favor of calling the
mass killings of Armenians “Genocide”. On April 23, during the
ceremony in the Berlin Cathedral dedicated to the memory of the
Armenian Genocide, German President Joachim Gauck used the term
“Genocide” in his speech. In March of 2015, the President of the
German Parliament Norbert Lammert said: "what happened in the Ottoman
Empire during the First World War in front of the whole world, was
genocide. And it was not the last genocide of the 20th century. During
the session the leaders of various party fractions also came with
their pro-Armenian statements admitting what had happened.

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[Yervant1]

Bundestag MPs say Germany also must bear responsibility for Armenian Genocide

17:55, 16 May, 2016

YEREVAN, MAY 16, ARMENPRESS. MPs representing the Left Party of the
German Bundestag (Die Linke) visited Yerevan State University (YSU) on
May 16. Member of the delegation Martin Dolzer stated in a meeting
with the Armenian students that the recognition of the Armenian
Genocide is not enough for them to consider their mission over. It is
also very important how the atrocities committed by the Ottoman Empire
will be formulated, press service of the YSU informed “Armenpress”.

“It must be clearly mentioned in the resolution that what happened was
a genocide. Moreover, accusing and condemning only the Turkish
Government is not enough. Germany must also admit its guilt as it
silently followed and even sometimes participated in those atrocities.
And there was only one aim for that, to preserve Turkey as an ally
during the war years”, Bundestag MP Martin Dolzer said.

Hasan Burgujuoghlu of Turkish decent highlighted the role of meetings
with students, as the younger generation is able to correct the
mistakes of their ancestors.

“It’s not the right way to accuse only the government, there is a
necessity to start working with the public. Believe, today’s Turkish
youth is quite different from their older generation, they are ready
to face the history, there is just a necessity of true information and
guidance”, Hasan Burgujuoghlu mentioned.

The draft resolution on the Armenian Genocide will be discussed at the
German Bundestag on June 2. Back in 2005 the German parliament adopted
a resolution on the mass slaughters, ethnic cleanings, and deportation
of the Armenians by the Ottoman Empire in 1915, but the word
“genocide” was not mentioned.

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[Yervant1]

Turks are in panic mode as usual!

EurActiv

May 18 2016




German resolution on Armenian genocide expected to sour Turkey relationship


By Thomas Seibert | Der Tagesspiegel | Translated By Samuel Morgan


Turkey has long opposed the international recognition of the Armenian
genocide and the German parliament’s plans to finally grant it could
spell trouble for Berlin’s relations with Ankara. EurActiv’s partner
Der Tagesspiegel reports.

In addition to the other factors testing Berlin-Ankara relations,
namely visa liberalisation and the refugee agreement, the issue of the
Armenian genocide is exacerbating the situation.

Turkish observers predict a strong reaction from Ankara if the
Bundestag votes as expected and decides to formally recognise the
expulsion and murder of Armenians by the Ottoman Empire as genocide.

Turkish former Minister of EU Affairs Beril Dedeoğlu told EurActiv’s
partner Der Tagesspiegel that she expects Chancellor Angela Merkel to
be weakened politically when it comes to dealing with Turkey as a
result.

Turkey has long used diplomatic pressure to hold back the calls for
the Armenian genocide, which took place during the First World War, to
be internationally recognised.

Ankara has instead argued that the death of several hundred thousand
members of the Armenian and other non-Muslim minorities between 1915
and 1917 was a tragedy, but did not constitute genocide. Armenian and
the majority of international researchers call the event genocide and
more than 20 countries formally recognise it as such.

In Germany, the ruling coalition of the CDU, CSU and SPD, as well as
the Greens, support the resolution. Turkey’s ambassador in Berlin,
Hüseyin Karslıoğlu asked in a Rheinische Post interview how Germany
would contribute to reconciling Turks and Armenians once the motion
was passed.

In Turkey itself there is major opposition and an association
committed to opposing recognition of the genocide has warned that
relations between the two countries could be damaged. In an open
letter, it claimed that the Turkish nation is following the
developments “with concern”.

It also added that the adoption of the resolution would be “a historic
mistake” and could put pressure on Berlin and Ankara’s ties at a time
when both countries need to work closely together to tackle the
refugee crisis.

The organisation also called upon Turkish people to send letters of
protest to German political parties and provided their addresses on
its website.

Former minister Dedeoğlu is also expecting cracks to appear in the
countries’ relationship. Not in the form of economic sanctions, but
symbolic protests, she told Der Tagesspiegel in Istanbul.

German Foreign Affairs Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier (SPD) also
told Der Tagesspiegel that, “I hope that the German-Turkish
relationship will not be burdened by the resolution and we can
continue to work well together.”

Germany also hopes to keep looking for reconciliation and
understanding between Turks and Armenians. Steinmeier cited
cross-border projects underway that are intended to bring the two
people closer together.

Five years ago, Turkey recalled its French ambassador after its
national assembly passed a law criminalising the denial of the
genocide. Last year, Ankara recalled its representative to the
Vatican, after Pope Francis called the massacre “the first genocide of
the 20th century”.

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[Yervant1]

Die Linke: Bundestag should not only adopt a resolution on Armenian
Genocide but also confess Germany's complicity in this issue

by Marianna Mkrtchyan

Thursday, May 19, 15:12

The German Bundestag should not only adopt a resolution on the
Armenian Genocide but also confess Germany's complicity in this issue,
Bundestag member Ulla Jelpke (Die Linke) said at a press conference in
Yerevan on May 19.

"During the Bundestag debates on the Armenian Genocide resolution,
there were some attempts to blur Germany's complicity in this issue
despite the numerous proofs that Berlin was not only aware of its
ally's actions, but also supported it," she said.

Ulla Jelpke is convinced that on June 2, 2016, the German Bundestag
will adopt a resolution on recognition of the Armenian Genocide,
because today many in Germany are discontent with the policy of
Chancellor Angela Merkel, who, she said, concluded a deal with Turkish
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Jelpke added that by this resolution
Bundestag will try to demonstrate that it is not afraid of Turkey's
threats and it is ready to act with due regard for its own interests.

She added, however, that the resolution may be adopted with soft
wordings not to offend the Turkish ally. "Anyway, the adoption of the
resolution will be perceived as a step forward and we will continue or
efforts to hold Germany accountable," she said.

Meanwhile, Martin Dolzer, Member of the Hamburg Parliament from Die
Linke Party, is convinced that inclusion of the Armenian Genocide
issue in the curriculum will become an important step towards
enhancement of public awareness of the issue.

"When Bundestag recognizes the Armenian Genocide, the issue will move
off the dead center and we will be able to launch the process of
holding Germany accountable," he said.
To recall, on April 24, 2015, the German Bundestag held debates on the
resolution on recognition of the Armenian Genocide. Two-hour debates
resulted in a decision to put off the adoption till April 30. This
date has already been postponed for several times. Bundestag
President Norbert Lammert (Christian Democratic Union) opened the
debates to mark the centenary of the killings by himself directly
referring to the mass killings as genocide. He also touched on
Germany's complicity in the Armenian Genocide. The draft resolution
says that the fate of the Armenians is "an example of the history of
mass exterminations, ethnic cleansing, deportations and genocides that
left such a terrible mark on the 20th century." On February 25, 2016,
the German Bundestag held debates on the draft resolution on the
Armenian Genocide in the Ottoman Empire. The initiators of the
discussion were the Left Party and the Green Party. Chairman of the
Alliance '90/The Greens Party Cem Ozdemir prepared the draft
resolution. German Chancellor Angela Merkel was present at the
debates. A decision was taken to submit the document for follow-on
revision. It should be agreed with all political forces of the
Bundestag and prepared as a single document on behalf of all the
factions.

In early May 2016, German lawmaker Thomas Oppermann (Social Democratic
Party) said that on June 2 Bundestag will clearly qualify the mass
killings and deportation of Armenians during WWI as genocide. The
given statement caused the negative response of Turkey, which warned
Germany against adopting the resolution.

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[Yervant1]

German lawmaker: “This time Genocide resolution will be adopted” (video)

17:02 | May 19,2016 | Politics

Three members of Germany’s Left Party are in Armenia. They have come
for two main objectives- the activities over the Armenian Genocide
issue and visit to Artsakh.

“We want to go to Artsakh and to see what is happening on the scene,”
noted lawmaker of Bundestag Ulla Jelpke. She is one of the authors and
pioneers of the resolution of the Armenian Genocide recognition in
Germany. She also wants to highlight the importance that the issue of
Germany’s liability is necessarily noted in the resolution to be
discussed at Bundestag on June 3. “We want to inform the German
society that at that time servicemen and generals were sent from
Germany to the Ottoman Empire, and Germany participated in the
implementation of the genocide,” highlighted Mrs. Jelpke.

Touching upon the tense situation in Artsakh and Four-day April war,
the lawmaker said, “We are concerned about the issue. I regret to say
that Turkish President Erdogan was among the first who made a
statement not calling for restraint but readiness to support
Azerbaijan.”

Hamburg Parliament’s MPs Martin Dolzer noted that they have been in
Armenian for 4 days, “We are impressed by your approach, your
culture.” He highlighted that the Germans know very well what the
genocide issue, historic reality mean. “Alas, even today our federal
government is engaged in close cooperation with Erdogan. The
government of Erdogan today is leading a destructive policy, and
according to our information, is even supporting Azerbaijan and is
taking part in the war.” The German figure noted that they are going
to publish a book on the Armenian Genocide.

Hasan Burgucuoglu, a member of the Altona Borough Council of Hamburg
has been to our country for the second time. “The adoption of that
resolution is very important to us. I hope that one day Turkey will
also come to senses and recognize the Armenian Genocide.”

To what extent is it realistic that the Turkish figures of Germany
will not vote down the adoption of resolution on the Armenian Genocide
recognition? “I am sure that this time the resolution will be adopted.
One of the reasons for it is that today there are many figures
displeased with the policy of Angela Merkel in Germany. She is accused
of cooperation with Erdogan over various deals.”

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[Yervant1]

Bundestag Member: Armenian Genocide Resolution important for WWI
Ottoman ally Germany

By GOHAR ABRAHAMYAN -

May 20, 2016

The authors of the German Parliament’s resolution on recognition of
the Armenian Genocide are confident that this time the bill will be
adopted. Some also believe that the passage of the resolution is first
of all necessary for Germany, which was an ally of Ottoman Turkey
during World War I.

The resolution officially describing the mass killings and
deportations of Armenians under the Ottoman Empire’s rule as genocide
is expected to be put to a vote in the Bundestag on June 2.

But the Turkish government has already warned Germany against taking the step.

The German lawmakers who have authored the legislation have been in
Armenia these days. During their visit they also traveled to Nagorno
Karabakh, which saw an aggression from Turkey’s regional ally,
Azerbaijan, last month.

At a press conference in Yerevan on Thursday, Bundestag member Ulla
Jelpke, a co-author of the bill, said she thinks it is important that
the resolution should also mention Germany’s responsibility.

“We want the German public to know that once Germany sent soldiers and
generals to the Ottoman Empire and Germany had its participation in
the perpetration of the genocide,” the lawmaker said.

Asked how realistic it is this time that Turkish lobbyists in Germany
will not scuttle the adoption of this resolution, the MP said: “I am
convinced that this time the resolution will be adopted. One of the
reasons is that now there are many politicians in Germany who are
displeased with Chancellor Angela Merkel’s policies. She is criticized
for cooperation on various deals with [Turkey’s president Recep
Tayyip] Erdogan.”

Director of the International Secretariat of the Armenian
Revolutionary Federation (ARF) Bureau in Yerevan Giro Manoyan also
thinks that the adoption of the new resolution is very important for
Germany.

“It was not right for Germany, a nation that itself committed a
genocide, to try to steer clear of recognition by its 2005 decision,
saying that it was a genocide, according to experts. I think that
Germany has matured enough time to call things by their proper names,
and there are different political parties that are actively working on
this. Still last year, this resolution was put into circulation by
their Parliament, but for some political calculations it was not
passed. I think that this year it will be done, after all,” Manoyan
said.

According to the ARF representative, for Armenia the adoption of this
resolution is important also because Germany is a very influential
country in the world.

“The passage of such a resolution by a country with such a large
Turkish community will be a very important message for the whole
world, which will contribute to the process of the international
recognition, condemnation and eventually compensation for the
Genocide,” Manoyan concluded.

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[Yervant1]

Bundestag MP: Germany FM’s words on Armenian Genocide are outrageous

10:30, 20.05.2016

YEREVAN. – It is resentful that German Minister for Foreign Affairs
Frank-Walter Steinmeier allows himself to be pressured by Turkish
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, said Ursula “Ulla” Jelpke, Left
Faction MP of the German Bundestag (parliament) and member of Die
Linke [(The Left)] Party of Germany.

She stated the aforesaid when commenting, at the request of Armenian
News-NEWS.am, on Steinmeier’s statement that he is quite pessimistic
regarding the Armenian Genocide resolution passing in the Bundestag.

“It is outrageous that a representative of the Social Democratic Party
[of Germany] is saying such a thing,” Jelpke noted. “It is clear that
he allows himself to remain under the pressure of Erdoğan. For that
reason, during the [bundestag] debates on the genocide resolution on
June 2, we definitely will attack against Steinmeier.”

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[Yervant1]

Turkey Warns Germany: Do not recognize Armenian Genocide

May 19, 2016

The Turkish government has cautioned Germany against classifying a
century-old Ottoman Empire campaign to deport and kill Armenians as
genocide.

The warning made on May 18 comes two weeks before the Bundestag, the
lower house of Germany’s parliament, is set to discuss the topic.

“Speaking about it without historical or legal proof is nothing other
than a misuse of political power,” said Turkish presidential spokesman
Ibrahim Kalin, as quoted by DPA, adding that the issue has actually
been put to rest, but is “continually put on the agenda again and
again under different pretexts.”

On May 9, one of the Vice Presidents of Bundestag, Claudia Roth,
remembered that Ambassador of Turkey to Germany, Huseyin Avni
Karslıoğlu, warned Bundestag about the draft bill on Recognizing the
Armenian Genocide and responded “We don’t accept it. I hope the groups
in parliament won’t obey Turkey once again and the draft will be
accepted as planned.”

The German government is set to vote on the resolution on June 2
whether to officially condemn the displacement and killings of
Armenians during the Ottoman Empire as genocide.

Armenia and about three dozen other countries refer to the deaths as
genocide, a designation Turkey has routinely disputed when the
question comes up in other countries.

More than 1.5 million people of the Christian minority were estimated
to have been killed during the Armenian Genocide in 1915. As the
successor to the Ottoman Empire, Turkey acknowledges some of the
killings, but vehemently denies that it constituted a genocide.

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[Yervant1]

German Vote on Armenian Genocide May Put End to Turkish Denial Policy

WORLD
21:18 20.05.2016

A proposed resolution calling on the German government to recognize
the early 20th-century Ottoman Empire’s violence against the Armenians
as genocide is important, as it may put an end to Turkey’s policy of
denial, lawmaker from Germany’s Left Party Sevim Dagdelen told Sputnik
Turkey.

ISTANBUL (Sputnik) — On Monday, German lawmakers proposed the
resolution, condemning the mass killings of Armenians ordered by the
Ottoman government during World War I as genocide, for a parliamentary
vote.

"I believe that this resolution is very important, because it can play
a major role in the rejection of Turkey's Genocide denial policy,"
Dagdelen said in the interview.

According to the lawmaker, the parliamentary vote, which is set to be
held on June 2, will be an important step in preparing the grounds for
a reconciliation between the Armenians and the Turks and in
establishing a dialogue between them.

© SPUTNIK/ GENNADY DUBOVOY
Russia Probing 60 Cases of War Crimes, Genocide Against Donbass Civilians
"Thus Germany can do something that Turkey failed to implement," she added.

The lawmaker said that she believes the resolution will be adopted by
the parliament. According to Dagdelen, the June parliamentary vote
will not result in serious tensions between Turkey and Germany.

According to some estimations, during and after World War I up to 1.5
million ethnic Armenians were killed by Ottoman authorities or starved
to death. Ottoman policy of ethnic violence was recognized by many
European countries and by the European Parliament as Armenian
genocide. Turkey dismisses any accusations of massacre, saying that
Turkish nationals were also victimized.

Read more:
https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__sputniknews.com_world_20160520_1039998209_genocide-2Dturkey-2Dvote.html-23ixzz49DqbYfaW&d=DQIFaQ&c=clK7kQUTWtAVEOVIgvi0NU5BOUHhpN0H8p7CSfnc_gI&r=LVw5zH6C4LHpVQcGEdVcrQ&m=mJX7k9fTUwMQ0VK-lm31HH-RVAuglUd-jpxmMoF3OVw&s=BoAyIKnZPabULPLP3PMGdUQPelOJbtUw85_M5EnC7k4&e=

[Yervant1]

Deutsche Welle, Germany
May 22 2016


Bundestag resolution on Armenian 'genocide' is imminent


In June, the Bundestag intends to approve a resolution condemning the
century-old Ottoman massacre of Armenians by describing it as
"genocide." The nomenclature would anger Turkish President Recep
Tayyip Erdogan.

When German Chancellor Angela Merkel meets Turkish President Recep
Tayyip Erdogan on Monday, she will presumably have to deal with his
anger at plans by a broad Bundestag coalition to describe the crimes
of the Ottoman Empire against ethnic Armenians as "genocide." For the
first time, the conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and
Christian Social Union (CSU) parties and center-left Social Democrats
and Greens look set to make the nomenclature official.

There have been debates on the subject for years, and those ratcheted
up in the context of last year's centenary of the events that left
more than a million Armenians dead or deported from the land that
would become Turkey. Bundestag President Norbert Lammert and German
President Joachim Gauck have already used the term "genocide," which
provoked protests from Ankara. However, several attempts to reach
consensus on how to officially refer to the tragedy have been put off.

German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier remains skeptical as
to whether the Bundestag's likely position will be helpful in regards
to coming to terms with the past. A resolution that the Greens had
wanted to put forward back in February was postponed in order not to
sabotage negotiations as the European Union sought a controversial
deportation deal with Turkey when refugees continued to arrive in
large numbers. In return, Volker Kauder, the parliamentary leader of
the CDU-CSU bloc, shook hands with Greens co-chair Cem Özdemir and
promised that a joint resolution would move forward in the first half
of 2016. Though critics said Germany was caving on the issue once
again, Kauder appears to have kept his word.

"I'm going by the Bundestag's published timetable," Raffi Kantian, the
chairman of the Hanover-based German-Armenian Society, told DW.

And, indeed, the Bundestag website indicates that an hour has been set
aside on June 2 for agenda item No. 5: "Remembrance and Commemoration
of the Genocide of Armenians and Other Christian Minorities 101 Years
Ago." A CDU-CSU parliamentary spokeswoman confirmed that the session
would go ahead. After all, she said, the text of the resolution is
ready, having been prepared by no less than three parliamentary
working groups. However, there will not be a roll-call vote on the
declaration on June 2. This means that members of parliament will not
be obliged to attend. The resolution will be voted on by a show of
hands.

The majority of foreign policy specialists from the relevant parties
have given a clear signal that they will support the resolution.
"There may well be trouble with Ankara," Özdemir told the Sunday
edition of the mass-circulation broadsheet Bild. "But the Bundestag
does not allow itself to be blackmailed by a despot like Mr. Erdogan."
CDU-CSU foreign policy spokesman Franz-Josef Jung and Bernd Fabritius,
who represents the CSU in the human rights committee, both noted that
Germany had historical responsibility in the matter.

The centenary of the massacre was observed globally in 2015

Germany culpable, too

In 1915, the German Reich, a predecessor to the modern state, was
military protecting the Ottoman Empire in accordance with a strategic
wartime alliance. The German side received numerous indications of
atrocities and ethnic cleansing by the Young Turk government of the
day. According to scholarly estimates, as many as 1.5 million
Armenians in the Ottoman Empire were deported and killed. The German
Reich did not intervene; furthermore, it guaranteed postwar asylum for
the responsible parties after they had been stripped of their power.

Germany now intends officially to apologize for this. Kantian, of the
German-Armenian Society, hopes that this apology will be part of the
final text to be approved on June 2. That much isn't certain yet, but
the Left party and the Greens have both demanded not only that the
term "genocide" be used but that Germany apologize.

The Greens even put as much in writing back in February: "The German
Bundestag regrets the inglorious role of the German Reich, which,
despite unequivocal information, including from German diplomats and
missionaries, about the organized expulsion and extermination of the
Armenians, did not attempt to stop these crimes against humanity."

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[Yervant1]

Bundestag resolution on Armenian Genocide will condemn infamous role
of Germany: Bundestag Vice-President

May 24, 2016 14:14

The adoption of the Armenian Genocide resolution which is going to be
discussed in German Bundestag on June 2, is very important in terms of
keeping always alive the memory of the violent crime, Edelgard
Bulmahn, Vice-President of the German Bundestag said this to
journalists in the National Assembly of Armenia.

STEPANAKERT, MAY 24, ARTSAKHPRESS-ARMENPRESS: Earlier he met the
Armenian Deputy Parliament Speaker Eduard Sharmazanov and discussed
bilateral issues with him.

“This resolution will firstly condemn the deportations, massacres and
violence against the Armenian and other people living in the Ottoman
Empire. We think that it is first and foremost important to keep alive
that memory. Thus, with this resolution we will commemorate the
victims of the Armenian Genocide, and will condemn the role of Germany
for being an ally of Turkey that time and not preventing that crime,”
Bundestag Vice-President stated.

Speaking about her country and German people on the issue of the
Holocaust recognition, she stated that taking a responsibility means a
commitment to transform this responsibility to the new generations.
“The number of people in Turkey, who face their history and criticize
the actions of their government during that times, is gradually
increasing,” she said. She added that they want to take a
responsibility over the reconciliation of the Armenian and Turkish
people, creating dialogue between them in order to jointly face the
history.

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[Yervant1]

Russian Armenian News Agency
May 23 2016


Opinion: Bundestag won’t vote in favor of Armenian Genocide resolution

On June 2 the German Bundestag will vote on a resolution on the
recognition and condemnation of the Armenian Genocide in the Ottoman
Empire in 1915. The draft resolution has already become a cause of
harsh statements and threats by the Turkish leadership addressed to
Germany.

The resolution will be put to the vote and will be debated vigorously
to put pressure on Turkey, but in the end, it will not be accepted,
says Azhdar Kurtov, chief editor of the “Problems of National
Strategy” journal (RISS).

“This process is necessary in the first place not for the sake of
meeting the just aspirations of the Armenian people, but for the sake
of those games initiated by the European Union in its relations with
Turkey, where Germany plays the role of first violin,” told RUSARMINFO
Azhdar Kurtov.

According to the expert, the mere posing of the question on the
resolution adoption in the Bundestag during the acute crisis of
relations between Turkey and the European Union will become a
bargaining chip: if Erdogan does not comply with EU requirements, then
we will raise the issue of the Armenian Genocide.

Azhdar Kurtov believes that if not Angela Merkel’s policy, based on
Turkey in many important matters, the EU’s position on the recognition
of the Armenian Genocide would be radically different.

“The adoption of that document will mean that the bridges between
Turkey and the EU are burned, and Merkel will receive a strong blow to
her political ambitions. The same applies to Erdogan, to whose
political career the recognition of the Armenian Genocide will be no
less devastating blow,” noted the expert.

The initiators of the Bundestag resolution on the Armenian Genocide
are the “Left Party” and “Alliance 90 / The Greens”, the chairmen of
which have repeatedly spoken on this issue.

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[Yervant1]

German parliament draws up Armenian Genocide resolution - AFP

17:15 • 27.05.16

The German parliament is preparing a resolution that qualifies the
massacre of Armenians by Ottoman forces as "genocide", a move that
risks stirring anger in Turkey.

Drawn up by the ruling left-right coalition and the opposition Greens,
the resolution "Remembrance and commemoration of the genocide of
Armenians and other Christian minorities in 1915 and 1916" will be put
to a vote in the lower house of parliament next week.

The draft resolution, seen by AFP on Thursday, carries the word
"genocide" throughout the text, and comes just over a year after
President Joachim Gauck used it to describe the massacre, drawing an
angry response from Turkey.

Referring to the atrocities against the Armenians, the draft text
says: "Their fate exemplifies the mass exterminations, the ethnic
cleansing, the expulsions and indeed the genocides that marked the
20th century in such a terrible way."

As Gauck said at the centenary commemoration of the massacre, the
resolution also states that the "German Empire bears partial
responsibility for the events."

"The Bundestag recognises the special historical responsibility of
Germany. That includes giving Turkey and Armenia the support they need
to put the past behind them, and to seek ways of understanding and
reconciliation," says the draft text.

It adds that the "reconciliation process has been stuck in the last
years and urgently needs new stimulus".

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