Tuesday, May 04, 2010

The Arab World And The Armenian Genocide



On the occasion of the 95th Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, I delivered a lecture in the RA National Academy of Sciences- Institute of Oriental Studies entitled "The Arab World and the Armenian Genocide".
During the lecture I stressed the importance to know the attitude of different nations towards the Armenian Genocide, especially the attitude of the Arab nation, which has old historical and cultural relations with the Armenian nation. Besides, the two nations have similar issues.
I reviewed the persecution policy of the "Young Turks” towards all subject nations of the Ottoman Empire, especially towards Armenians and Arabs. I stated the names of the Arab governors who refused to carry out state orders to deport and liquidate the Armenian population. As a result of this honorable stance they were either dismissed from office or killed. The Turkish government adopted the policy of starvation against the Arabs in Syria and Lebanon, which left 320 thousand people dead till 1917. The Turkish government's persecution policy also targeted Muslim Syrians, Kurds and Shias. I noted that Turk officials thought that Arabs would continue their genocidal action against Armenians. However, Arabs aided and protected the genocide survivals. Sherif of Mecca Al-Husayn Ibn Ali, who declared "the Great Arab Revolution" in 1916 against the Ottoman yoke, issued the Decree for Protecting the Armenians in 1917.
I referred to the fact that, unfortunately, there is no united attitude towards the issue of the Armenian Genocide among Arab intellectuals and among Arab states, only Lebanon recognized the Armenian Genocide in 1997 and 2000. At the end of my lecture, I highlighted that historical and cultural relations between the two peoples can serve as a base to developed relations in all aspects. I stressed the importance of paying more attention to oriental and Arab studies in Armenia and setting up relations between the young people of the two nations. I expressed hope that Armenia will set plans with the friendly Arab states to keep its national security. Nothing separates Armenia from the Arab states, however, common interests, including strategic interests; unite them.





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