Ask A Broadsheet Reader

One for older readers.

Will asks

Serious question. Why are we so reluctant to call the Armenian genocide a genocide? What have Turkey [peace-loving Ottoman Empire successor] got over us?

Anyone?

Ireland not recognising Armenian massacres as ‘genocide’ (Ronan McGreevy, Irish Times)

Armenia mass killing remembered 100 years on (BBC)

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34 thoughts on “Ask A Broadsheet Reader”

Jimmee April 23, 2015 at 3:59 pm

Has it anything to do with the Ottomans bailing out Ireland during the famine?

ABM's Bloodied Underwear April 23, 2015 at 4:01 pm

“Our strength consists in our speed and in our brutality. Genghis Khan led millions of women and children to slaughter – with premeditation and a happy heart. History sees in him solely the founder of a state. It’s a matter of indifference to me what a weak western European civilization will say about me. I have issued the command – and I’ll have anybody who utters but one word of criticism executed by a firing squad – that our war aim does not consist in reaching certain lines, but in the physical destruction of the enemy. Accordingly, I have placed my death-head formation in readiness – for the present only in the East – with orders to them to send to death mercilessly and without compassion, men, women, and children of Polish derivation and language. Only thus shall we gain the living space (Lebensraum) which we need. Who, after all, speaks to-day of the annihilation of the Armenians?”

– Adolf Hitler

H April 23, 2015 at 6:02 pm

Got a t-shirt with that last sentence written on it at System of a Down’s Wembley #wakeupthesouls show, they have been campaigning about it for years see http://www.systemofadown.com

Clampers Outside! April 23, 2015 at 4:02 pm

’cause we’re chicken ?

ZeligIsJaded April 23, 2015 at 4:04 pm

‘Cause the US and UK haven’t done it yet.

Spaghetti Hoop April 23, 2015 at 4:09 pm

Gallipoli?

Paolo April 23, 2015 at 4:10 pm

What about Gallipoli?
1. Spaghetti Hoop April 23, 2015 at 4:17 pm
  
  https://www.themonthly.com.au/monthly-essays-robert-manne-turkish-tale-gallipoli-and-armenian-genocide-459

ffintii April 23, 2015 at 4:10 pm

Because Israel wants it that way

Rob_G April 23, 2015 at 4:41 pm

I don’t even…

… what has Israel got to do with it, pray tell?
1. Caroline April 23, 2015 at 5:18 pm
  
  One of the Backstreet Boys greatest hits

ahjayzis April 23, 2015 at 4:32 pm

Because we’re craven, we stand for being a country other countries’ companies can do business in without too much regulation or oversight or taxation. Our trade policy is our foreign policy. Our European policy is German fiscal policy.

Enda hasn’t even rang the Egyptian dictator about an Irish citizen being held in his dungeons awaiting a show trial, because ‘protocol’ only requires the foreign minister to bell his counterpart.

Rob_G April 23, 2015 at 4:48 pm

Germany recognised it as a genocide in 2005, according to the infographic, so not really sure what you’re on about there.
1. Kieran NYC April 23, 2015 at 5:39 pm
  
  +1
2. ahjayzis April 23, 2015 at 10:54 pm
  
  I said our *European* policy is German fiscal policy. Our overall foreign policy is our trade policy, i.e. keep your mouth shut unless you’re flogging beef or asking if the dictator you’re wining and dining had an Oirish granny.

Jess April 23, 2015 at 4:36 pm

why do we need to officially recognise something as genocide? Isnt that what the UN is for

Starina April 23, 2015 at 4:40 pm

because turkey has no pressure to recognise something they did not that long ago. they completely sweep it under the carpet and nobody talks about it in turkey.
1. Jess April 23, 2015 at 4:41 pm
  
  So what youre saying is Turkey is chicken
  1. shitferbrains April 23, 2015 at 4:46 pm
    
    No he’s saying something about Turkish carpets.
    1. Don Pidgeoni April 23, 2015 at 4:48 pm
      
      What is the doner situation?
    2. Joe the Lion April 23, 2015 at 4:51 pm
      
      Whatyous ke babbling on about?
    3. Don Pidgeoni April 23, 2015 at 4:56 pm
      
      Olive no idea…
  2. John E. Bravo April 23, 2015 at 5:04 pm
    
    Shish, guys, give it a rest.
    1. scottser April 23, 2015 at 5:36 pm
      
      feta love of god lads, have some respect..
    2. Fatman Scooperman April 23, 2015 at 5:52 pm
      
      To ensure Turkish delight
    3. ahjayzis April 23, 2015 at 10:56 pm
      
      Forgive them Lord, zaytoon not know what they do…

Just sayin' April 23, 2015 at 5:13 pm

France has an influential Armenian minority so that helps explain heir position.
I imagine its a combination of wanting to protect existing economic and political links with Turkey with the realization that recognizing the massacre of Armenians as genocide would, diplomatically speaking, achieve nothing at all.
In this view, recognizing genocide is a pointless empty political gesture that potentially threatens trade and employment.