Assyrian Democratic Organization ADO
By Abdulmesih BarAbraham reporting from Germany
(ZNDA: Munich) Under the motto ?Speaking with One Voice? the Assyrian Democratic Organisation, the Association of Pontos-Greeks in Munich and the Armenian Council in Germany invited to a commemoration of the anniversary of the genocide of Christians in Turkey. The event took place on 20 May 2006 in Munich.
An ecumenical divine service, jointly conducted by priests of three native eastern Orthodox Churches along with the Greek Orthodox Bishop of Munich, commemorating the victims of the genocide served as the opening. Representatives of the two German Churches held speeches and underlined the importance of remembrance of the past to prevent similar incidents in the future. The representative of the Evangelical Church stressed also the political aspect of the commemoration that should be considered as an appeal towards both Turkey and Germany; while Turkey must recognize the historical fact of the genocide, Germany needs to acknowledge and discuss its historical role. The Catholic Church representative pointed to the fact, that the genocide of 1915 ended a two thousands year existence of Christianity in Asia Minor. Even though nobody can undo the events, they must not be forgotten and it should be never again allowed that people are killed because of their religious affiliation or race.
The symposium part was opened by Tuma Abraham, MD, who underlined the importance of the event as the 90th anniversary for the Greek from Pontos, Asia Minor and Thrakia while for the Assyrians and Armenians it stands for the 91st anniversary. He briefly outlined some related initiatives from last year. Mr. Abraham elaborated on the submission of the Christian Democratic Parties to the German Parliament regarding the treatment of the genocide question (being main topic of the panel discussion of last year?s commemoration event in Munich) which was accepted unanimously by all fractions, though avoiding the term genocide. With regards to the negotiations about a possible accession of Turkey into the EU, Mr. Abraham stressed the importance of the proceedings for both the negotiating parties and the afflicted Christian victims of the genocide. He pointed to the slow process in Turkey characterizing the efforts to implement reforms and the Turkish influence to impact political decisions in Europe through economical pressure.
The Assyrian organizer of the symposium and vice-chairlady of the Society for Threatened People, Ms. Janet Abraham, read a message from Dr. Hans Zehetmair, former Bavarian Minister of State, sending respects and emphasizing the necessity of a confession by Turkey as a sign for granting equal rights to the remaining minorities in the country.
In her brief message, the Greek consul in Munich, Ms. Anna Korka, gave an overview about the historical events concerning the Greek community in the Ottoman Empire during the World War I. She closed with a call for solidarity among the European nations.
Ms. Erika Steinbach, Member of the German Parliament and President of the Federation of the Dispelled People, held the first lecture of the evening. She described the basic idea of the Centre for Dispelled People which is dialog between afflicted nations and warned of a ?hierarchy among different genocides?. She underlined her commitment to work for reconciliation between the victims and Turkey, while she expects that Turkey confess the fact of the genocide.
Ms. Gabriele Yonan, philologist and author, elaborated on the term the three nations use to refer to the genocide (e.g. Seyfo as an adaptation from ?Seyf ul Islam? ? Sword of Islam) and touched principal source materials for the genocide and historical research ? The documentary of Dr. Johannes Lepsius, the Blue Book by Bryce/Toynbee, and Ambassador Henry Morgenthau?s collections. She pointed out to the fact that all three nations, Assyrians, Armenians and Greeks are mentioned in the documents as being victims of the genocide. With reference to the current political discussions about the Armenian genocide she said, that history of Asia Minor does not need to be rewritten but has to be regarded in its completeness.
The following discussion panel led by Dr. Klaus Below, special correspondent of the Bavarian Radio, featured members of the European parliament and the State government, Dr. Markus Ferber and Mr. Joachim Unterl?nder, both emphasizing the necessity to pressure Turkey to ensure human and political rights for the ethnic minorities. As representatives of the Turkish community, Mr. Ali Ertem, chairman of the Association of Genocide Opponents, and the journalist Ms. Yeldag ?zcan underlined their solidarity with the victims of the genocide. Ms. ?zcan said that she is ashamed ?that the genocide is [even] denied by Turks in Germany?. Armenian author Dr. Raffi Kantian and Ms. Gabriele Yonan emphasized the ethnical aspects of the genocide being launched by the Young Turks who?s objective was to get rid of the non-Turkish elements of the population. Dr. Klaus Below criticized the resolution passed last year in the German parliament for not using the term ?genocide?.
The evening closed with some final words by Ms. Anastasia Dick, co-organizer of the symposium and chairlady of the Association of Pontos-Greek in Munich.
