Recommendations for the Armenian Diaspora

The ongoing high-level efforts between Turkey and Armenia to normalize relations, including establishing diplomatic relations and opening the land border between the two countries, have received President Obama's imprimatur during his recent visit to Turkey.

While the negotiated resolution of any conflict is a desirable goal, the Turkish government would be wise to weigh the public's expectations of this dialogue with existing realities, which will affect the immediate and long-term outcome of bilateral developments between the two countries and Turkey's relations with the United States and Azerbaijan.

First, there is a dichotomy of interests among the Armenian stakeholders in this dialogue. The interests of the Armenian Diaspora, even different Diaspora organizations, the American political establishment and Armenia are divergent. The increasingly boisterous voices in the Armenian Diaspora which object to the Armenian government's engagement with Turkey; the dismissal of the bilateral process by U.S. lawmakers who carry the Armenian lobby's torch in Congress; as well as the full blown campaign by all Armenian advocacy and lobby groups in furthering their legislative, educational, political and public affairs agenda in the U.S.and elsewhere, are proof of this divergence.

On the other hand, the Turkish community abroad, particularly in the U.S., has by and large voiced support of the Turkish government's dual approach that manifests itself in engaging in diplomatic efforts to normalize relations with Armenia on the one hand, and in committing to accept the findings of an impartial international commission that will address the contested period of Armenian-Ottoman history and the "genocide" question, on the other.

However, supporting the process does not mean turning a blind eye to competing Turkish interests and other realities. There are wide-spread concerns among Turks and others that Turkey will lose much and gain little from the entente it labors upon with Armenia. Without a doubt, the most significant loss Turkey may endure from this process, particularly from opening its land border with Armenia, could be estranging its natural strategic ally, Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan has shown significant reaction to Turkey's perceived "de-linking" of the continuing Armenian occupation from its negotiations with Armenia.

Those in support of normalizing relations with Armenia frequently allude to the potential spillover effect this will have on a peaceful solution to the Karabakh conflict and also stem the "genocide" campaigns by the Armenian Diaspora. However, others argue that the economic effect of a closed land border with Turkey is the only incentive for Armenia to engage in a meaningful dialogue with Azerbaijan on lifting its occupation. Some Azeri analysts argue that removing this sanction may deprive Armenia of any incentive for peace and leave Azerbaijan with no option but a new war.

The Turkish-Armenian dialogue is known to have been advocated by successive U.S. administrations as a way to "pacify" the Armenian lobby and to weaken the incessant congressional efforts for U.S. recognition of the "Armenian genocide," a development that would most certainly damage U.S.-Turkey relations.

However, pursuing this advice without addressing the underpinnings of the global Armenian campaign against Turkey will most certainly result in great disappointment for Turkey.

The "Armenian Genocide" narrative is an existential narrative for the Armenian Diaspora. It has become the glue that bonds the community across social, economic and political lines. Perpetuating this narrative and activating the community around legislative, educational, philanthropic and political endeavors has become the lifeline for Armenian Diaspora organizations, including the Armenian Church. Hatred against modern day Turks and Turkey has become an identity strengthening tool, particularly employed toward young Armenians, and examples of this hateful behavior against ordinary Turks abound.

It is in this area where Turkish analysis about the Armenian Diaspora's state of mind, its wide-reaching agenda and impact seems to be most deficient. The benefits that Turkey expects from rapprochement with Armenia can not be achieved as long as the Armenian Diaspora's realities are ignored. Unless Armenia and other interested parties can engage the Armenian Diaspora in this process and help bring about fundamental changes in the community, the "genocide" issue will remain at the center of their agenda. Consequently, Turkey's outreach to Armenia will have no effect on the Armenian Diaspora and its international agenda against Turkey, including its lobbying of the U.S. Congress and the Administration.

Bringing about change in the attitudes of the Armenian Diaspora needs to focus on:

* Stopping hate: It is clear to everyone who follows the Armenian Diaspora that the pursuit of genocide recognition has turned into a campaign of hate against Turkey and modern day Turks. This hatred has been manifested in worldwide terrorism and the murder of 40 Turkish diplomats; the continuing adoration of these killers, as well as ongoing harassment and intimidation of Turkish Americans. More troubling, is the fact that hate against Turkey seems to grow among many young Armenian adults who hold more severely hateful perceptions of Turks.

* Defending academic freedom and stopping intimidation and harassment of scholars: The Armenian Diaspora has successfully created an aura of intimidation in academia through their consistent vilification of scholars, who do not agree with the Armenian narrative of history. By slandering any scholar who deviates from the Armenian narrative as a "genocide denier" and attempting to deny such scholars access to academic and public platforms, the Armenian lobby is effectively stifling more research and debate on this history.

* Exposing Armenian "buy-out" of scholars: Armenian foundations and wealthy Armenian Americans are pouring money into American universities to support scholars, including Turkish ones, whose positions corroborate the Armenian narrative. The existence of "Armenian Genocide" study centers at leading U.S. universities rests on the largesse of such Armenian donations. Research in this area has effectively been turned into an Armenian funded cottage industry.

* Advocating the opening of Armenian Archives: Opening all Armenian archives to independent scholarly review will unearth the complete narrative of Ottoman-Armenian history, including the Armenian independence movement and revolt.

* Stopping foul play: Armenian Diaspora groups must be held accountable to stick to the same rules that apply to all advocacy groups. Many of them have not. The best example of such foul play is the Armenian National Committee of America, which is currently under investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice for possible violations of its legal status and other U.S. laws governing lobbying.
* Exposing the futility of political lobbying: The Armenian Diaspora lobbyists have invested much stock and capital in lobbying efforts to legislate history. Turkey must unequivocally state that it is an Armenian Diaspora illusion that such third country political pressures can force Turkey to accept their narrative and issue an "apology," opening the way for other demands by the Armenian Diaspora such as reparations or territorial claims.

* Looking forward: The Armenian community can gain tremendously by looking forward and reaching out to Turkey as their heritage country. Turkey and Turkish civil society should extend a hand of friendship toward the Armenian Diaspora. Turks, by and large, hold no animosity toward Armenians and will embrace Diaspora Armenians warmly. The rich Armenian culture continues to be part of Turkey's culture, its music, art, architecture, folklore and cuisine. These common bonds can be revived and the Armenian Diaspora, not Armenia, can herald this revival.

* Ending Armenia's isolation: The Armenian Diaspora has played a significant role for Armenia. However, the Armenian Diaspora's efforts cannot replace the economic and political benefits of normalizing Armenia's relations with its neighbors, particularly Azerbaijan, and integrating the country into the economic and strategic regional framework. The Armenian Diaspora in the United States, in particular, should be the advocate of moving Armenia away from Russia and Iran and closer to Turkey and the U.S.

* Believing in dialogue: The current Turkish government has long extended a hand of friendship and reconciliation toward the Armenian Diaspora and Armenia in its invitation to form an international historical commission. Turkey's invitation and willingness to support such a comprehensive effort and to accept its findings may not remain valid forever. The Armenian Diaspora should unclench its fist and take this hand, as it is the only way for peace and reconciliation.

Comments

[Masis]

Part two.
This is because in the former case with a reasonable level of intelligence, which Mr Fein appears to have, one has the freedom to speak the truth but CHOOSES not to, SIMPLY FOR LOLLY (that's lovely lots and lots of money in exchange for straight forward lying!), which is the case with Mr Fein: HE CHOOSES TO LIE FOR MONEY. However in the latter case (MIT or any other Turkish state employed "academic") there is no freedom - literally - because if you speak the truth you will either a) at the very minimum lose your job and privileges; b) get prosecuted under 301; c) get a public and state sponsored persecution and pilloried so will have to leave the country and GO INTO EXILE -e.g. Orhan Pamuk and others; d) get bankrupted through repeated court prosecutions under 301 "Insult to Turkishness" (!!!!) or get your offices and publication offices fire- bombed repeatedly, e.g. Ragip Zarakolou; and finally e) some or all of the above and get a bullet in your head and get murdered as in the case of the late Hrant Dink. Mr Fein obviously has no conscience or shame and the money ("30 pieces of silver") he's getting from his masters (Turkish state lie factory) must be really good. However it does put what he says in perspective. As the saying goes: YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR!

[mike reader]

This is one of the article that very openly shows all the mistakes so far Armenians Diaspora has been doing. As I alwasy say too, most of the diaspora even have no clue where is Armenia in the map. How do Armenians live in Armenia??. How is the human right, economic conditions, how do elderly try to survive... etc.

The Armenian Diaspora is just thinking (actually dreaming rather thinking at all) by just pouring money everywhere, they can get whatever they want regardless if it is lie or has nothing to do with reality as long as it fits what they think; which is a common thinking when people are thinking very far, extreme far, basically driven with extreme ideology.

It is really sad. Both Armenian and Turks need better to focus in improving life conditions, human right, education and economic conditions in their country. Particularly Armenians who live in Armenia suffer tremendously. And it is not secret that, Armenian diaspora wasting money in USA to achive all fake based claims, the real Armenian who live in Armenia and controlled by Russian federations suffer from bad life conditions overthere. And actually, I think this is the main problem for Diaspora. They blind themselves not to realize that Armenia is under Russia's control. How the Diaspora can cheer USA and try to help Armenia with this condition????. Wake up people!!.

Regards.

[factsveritas]

First three references show that allegations of an "Armenian genocide" is political propaganda, not historical truth, and why Armenian genocide-mongers always run away from civilized historical debate. See last two to decide who committed Genocide:

1. Langer, William L., _The Diplomacy of Imperialism, 1890-1902_ (1935) (Chapter 5), page 147.
Harvard historian Langer puts the Ottoman-Armenian population at the turn of the 20th century at between 1-1.5 million.

2. Barton, James L., _Story of Near East Relief (1915-1930)_, (1930), pages 46, 112.
Missionary Barton gives the number of refugees in Near East Relief camps (a) in Aleppo, Damascus, Dier-ez-Zor[sic] at 500,000; and (b) in Armenia at 500,000, totaling 1milion.

3. Cardashian, Vahan, "The Turks", in _The Lausanne Treaty - Turkey and Armenia_, (1926), pages 105-109.
In this racist and misleading article, Mr. Cardashian, an Armenian, gives number of Armenians in Turkey at time of the writing as 320,000.

4. Pope ,Stephen & Wheal, Elizabeth-Anne, _Dictionary of the First World War_ (1995), pg. 34.
The authors write that Armenian extreme nationalists, in December, 1914, "slaughtered an estimated 120,000 non-Armenians while the Turkish Army was preoccupied with mobilization".

5. Arfa, Hassan, _The Kurds - An Historical and Political Study_, Oxford University Press, (1966). pg. 26.
The Iranian general and diplomat mentions that Armenians killed 600,000 Kurds[sic] in areas of the Ottoman Empire they occupied during WWI.

Only Armenians will impose on you to believe what they say without question.

[Gojaz]

"facsveritas" you make the Armenian point when you indicate in #3 of your comment that at the time of his writing (1926) there were 320,000 Armenians in Turkey. Well, the Genocide went on during the years of 1915-1918. It stopped when Turkey which had entered WWI on the German side surrendered.
What happened to the 2 million plus Armenian who were in Turkey before the war?

You can find out by reading what an Honorable Turk has written.

Taner Akcam, “A Shameful Act"

[factsveritas]

Gojaz, kindly add the Near East Relief camps numbers to the Cardashian number. As for the "2 million plus Armenian" you mention, apparently you must have skipped over my first reference above.

I do not share your sentiment of Taner Akcam, and do not consider him to be an unbiased and honest researcher with no strings attached.

[Gojaz]

"facsveritas" you make the Armenian point when you indicate that #3 at the time of his writing (1926) there were 320,000 Armenians in Turkey. Well, the Genocide went on during the years of 1915-1918. It stopped when Turkey which had entered WWI on the German side surrendered.
What happened to the 2 million plus Armenian who were in Turkey before the war?

You can find out by reading what an Honorable Turk has written.

Taner Akcam, “A Shameful act"

[Masis]

"... references show that allegations of an "Armenian genocide" is political propaganda ... Armenian genocide-mongers always run away from civilized historical debate. .. .Only Armenians will impose on you to believe what they say without question".
Now factsveritas I'm familiar with your references and much more - in fact Cumuran Gurun's "masterpiece" has the whole compendium - and frankly none of them really say what you claim they say. Turkish distortion of history (invented or official kindergarten history) was able to fool some people in the 80 and 90s but now is fully bankrupt. PERIOD.
As to your claim about "civilised historical debate...only Armenians will IMPOSE ...": I think civilised free debate of Turkish history in general and the Armenian Genocide in particular would be a very good idea in and for Turkey. So why not abolish your draconian and repressive laws (301, etc.) as well as pillorying, terrorising and prosecution of your best minds (independent academics, journalists and intellectuals in general, even Nobel Prize winning novelists like Pamuk!)?! Let people have the freedom to research and write what they want like the rest of the civilised world instead of thinking and writing according to the terrorist state's wishes and orders. Until then the best you can do is to have some sense/dignity and shut up instead of lecturing us on "civilised debate", as for example you practiced on Hrant Dink or continue on thousands of others. Have you no sense or at least some shame?

[factsveritas]

Hypocrisy. Was it not the Armenians who encouraged Switzerland and France to make it a crime to deny an alleged "Armenian genocide". Free speech is good as long as Armenians do not get shown up.

Why do you put me in the same basket as the misguided person who shot Hrant Dink? Do you think all Turks come out of the same mold? I know Armenians do not, because I know many who have more respect for intelligent talk, instead of bad-mouthing everything Turkish.

Go ahead and disprove what I have shown in general terms, if you believe you are right. but spare me and give only unbiased non-Armenian paid references.

[Masis]

EU and others. It has to be remembered that during the early part of the 19th century the Jenissarys, the most powerful military organisation in the country had to be completely wiped out because they were persistently interfering adversely with the state affairs. 7.Turkey's external aspects; perpetual jingoistic outlook; the hysterical anti Armenian outlook well known throughout the world consequently no need to elaborate further. Just to note that large quantities of arms have been shipped to Azerbaijan in order to facilitate "the younger brother's" proxy war against Armenia, thus attempting to permanently usurp Armenian territories which is Nagorno Karabagh/Artsakh, and Nakhichevan. It is now to the thorough interest of the EU, Russia and the US to reconstruct Armenia upon its plateau so that the great danger emanating from Turkism is eliminated. Georgia has lost significant territories to Turkey and shortly after WWII claimed them. Georgia has also lost significant terrorism to Azerbaijan; Iraqi Kurdistan: constant bombardment and incursions by Turkish forces during the last 20 years; Syria: Occupation of Alexandretta shortly before the WWII; Cyprus still under Turkish occupation. The EU remains pathetically ineffective in defending its territory; Greece: Constant harassment of its territorial waters and a number of its islands - another example of EU supine mentality. Turkey has ZERO CHANCE of joining the EU in the foreseeable future as European democratic and liberal values remain alien to its mentality. Even when progressive legislation is passed under EU pressure, they are often implemented.

[Masis]

Hrant Dink, Orhan Pamuk, Ragip Zarakolou ... and lesser known thousands more. Judicial murder must end. 6. Turkey's State Terrorism; this dangerous aspect has two tentacles: 1. Official; 2. Deep State. Official terrorism is best demonstrated by the destruction of thousands of Kurdish villages in the East of the country and in the process murder of tens of thousands. This Nato member has destroyed far greater number swathes of Kurdish lands than Sadam Hussein's Iraq. This is just one example. In this type of terrorism the elected government is part of the combination. Deep State terrorism; a very well publicised development especially within the country it is predominantly organised by the military, gendarmerie, the secret services and the sections of the police force; within these organisations the ideology of Turkism dominates. The elected government invariably have no control open the Deep State terrorism and it remains the true power behind the parliamentary façade. When official terrorism is in action Deep State terrorism automatically compliments in the destructions. The only way to eliminate State Terrorism in Anatolia is for the US, Russia and the EU to act jointly if necessary militarily to restructure the Turkism based regime in Ankara otherwise all Turkey's neighbours will suffer significantly greater losses, and eventually this danger which may ABS development weapons in the country that can be aggressively used against the EU and others.

[Masis]

3. Opening of the borders (between Eastern and Western Armenia). It is high time thousands of years of realities were recognised. If Turkey behaves, which is most unlikely, the Genocidal and occupation roles it has played in the past can be corrected and the situation can be brought into the European Cultural Frontiers. However in order to step into such a reality effectively it will be necessary for the European Union, Russia and the US to act jointly. 4. Azerbaijan; the current surreptitious Turanian pan-Turk policy emanating from Ankara and Baku is one nation two states, a childishly unrealistic concoction as the two nations have thoroughly different backgrounds. Azerbaijan's Aliev dynasty remains amazingly autocratic and anachronistic. As the situation stands there is no chance of respite. It's extremist ideology based on Turkism remains a danger to its neighbours. Its infantile tantrums on a number of issues has placed its oil and gas installations, on land as well as on the Caspian, at significant risk. 5.Turkey's Internal Affairs; Instead of proposing disingenuous joint historical commissions with Armenia to examine 100% proved facts regarding the Armenian Genocide it is high time it abolished its state sponsored manufacture of kindergarten official history and permitted all its population freedom of expression and thought, especially by abolishing the existing draconian repressive laws thus prompting its intellectu­als/academ­ics/studen­ts... and journalists to debate its entire history freely and without fear of getting persecuted, prosecuted or murdered, such as Hrant Dink, Orhan Pamuk, Ragip

[nazarethj]

Recommendations for Mr. Fein and the government of Turkey:

The resolution of the Armenian Genocide issue is simple: First, the Turkish government must officially admit the truth of the Armenian Genocide. There is a mountain of evidence documenting the extent and nature of this monumental crime. Second, the Turkish government must apologize to the Armenian nation for this crime against humanity. And third, the Turkish government must offer restitution and compensation to the Armenian nation. These steps must be taken not only for the sake of the Armenian nation but also for the Turks themselves.

This process would be facilitated if (a) the Turks stopped prosecuting their citizens who speak the truth on this subject; and (b) the Turks stopped brainwashing their citizens with falsehoods about history. The democratization of Turkish society will contribute in the resolution of this issue.

The Armenian Cause is a movement for truth and justice. It is noble. All of humanity should join in it. Do not degrade it by mischaracterizing it as tainted by "hate." I have never come across hatred among Armenians towards the Turkish people, only for the genocidal policies of the Ottoman government and the denialist policies of successive Turkish governments.

Peace. Nazareth J

[Masis]

It is appropriate to examine Turkey's internal and international policies constructively. 1. Armenian Genocide, a well established fact throughout the world except where racist nationalist ideologies dominate, especially Republics of Turkey and Azerbaijan and a number of their apologists. Denying the Armenian Genocide is as insensate as denying that WWI did take place or insisting that the earth is flat! The massive denialist and distortive efforts of Turkey involving multi-million expenditure annually often with borrowed money from Europe and US has failed utterly. Additionally Turkey's attitude has dented the credibility of the Americans and its other pathetic apologists. 2. Western Armenia; The Great Tragedy: Dual Crimes of Genocide and Occupation against Armenia. The primary reason why the Genocide was committed was due to Pan-Turanic expansionist policies, an ideology very similar to the racist-nationalist Nazi ideology of later years and one that continues in Turkey (and Azerbaijan) today, especially in the form of Deep State terrorism. Genocide was specifically committed for the occupation of Western Armenia. Turkism's attempt to destroy Eastern Armenia however failed because of Russian intervention, consequently Russians are disliked. The Armenian Diaspora remains possibly the most advanced Diaspora in the world. Its friends are practically countless; its strength and resources grow constantly. It remains an integral part of united Armenia and its outlook remains deeply democratic and patriotic as far as its country of origin is concerned.

[diasporan]

Recommendations for Bruce Fein

The article suffers from logical fallacies and oversimpli­fications.

The only paragraph that analyzes the Armenian Diaspora, starts with this sentence, "The "Armenian Genocide" narrative is an existential narrative for the Armenian Diaspora."

Mr Fein is totally begging the question in his argument without providing substantial proof that the Genocide narrative is the "existential narrative" for the Armenian Diaspora. That paragraph clearly shows Mr Fein's lack of knowledge and marginal understanding of the very people he tries to suggest recommendations for. Interesting to note that in the next sentence he tries to point out the deficiencies of the Turkish analysis of the Diaspora.

The life span of the Armenian Diaspora extends far in the pages of history and oversimplification attempts the Armenian Diaspora is, at best, an intellectual fallacy of ignorantiam.

My recommendation to Mr Fein is that first he needs to try to understand the complex nature of the Armenian Diaspora before trying to come up with recommendations for them.

[Gojaz]

Mr. Fein advice to the Armenian Diaspora to believe in dialog would have meant something anything had it not come from a paid mouth-piece of the denialist Turkish government. Nevertheless, there is hope. One only has to read the work of Turkish historian Taner Akcam and witness the 30,000 or more of the Turkish intellectuals apologizing for the Genocide though their web site (www.ozurdiliyoruz.com) . There is hope for the two nations to live next to each other in piece and cooperation, but it should not be built on lies and cover up. Mr. Fein and his masters only delay that day of hope. It is too bad the hoffington report gives space to such hate mongers and paid mouthpieces for denailism.

[Gojaz]

Mr. Fein is wrong when he states that Armenian organizations are opposed to the Armenian Government’s engagement with Turkey. Armenians in general are opposed to making this dialog contingent on the Armenian side accepting Turkish denialism through attempts of building some sort of fogginess about historical facts.

If Turkey and the Turks in general have uncertainties about their history, they are more than welcome to have impartial historians examine their history. The rest of the world has no uncertainties about the fact of the Genocide.

Hate may be a currency of choice for Mr. Fein, but it is not mine nor is it any ordinary Armenian’s choice. I also like to believe it is not the choice of the ordinary Turk either. Armenians and Turks frequently work together without a problem. The ordinary Turks that I have encountered and worked with have given me hope. Without failing, one of the first things they tell me, once they find out that I have an Armenian last name, is that they are sorry for what was done to the Armenians of the Ottoman Empire.

[Hally]

Ahhh Seto, good try.

"As a lawyer he should be able to differentiate an investigation from indictment. "

As well he is and can. Exactly where does the word "indictment" appear in Fein's piece? The only one who makes reference to an "indictiment" is you. Fein's article talks of an investigation.

Perhaps you, Seto, should work on improving your reading comprehension or your old and tired propaganda technique of setting up a straw man to knock it down.

[Hally]

"Armenian Americans are doing what Indian Americans, Jewish Americans or other Americans are doing " nothing more, nothing less."

Please tell us how many Jewish Americans, Indian Americans and other Americans have formed terrorist groups to murder Turkish diplomats and bomb Turkish businesses/economic interests in the U.S.?

And those are just a few tidbits to expose how greatly altered your view of reality is.

[Masis]

"Please tell us how many Jewish Americans, Indian Americans and other Americans have formed terrorist groups to murder Turkish diplomats and bomb Turkish businesses/economic interests in the U.S.?"
Why don't you wake up from your slumber my friend? Germany was de-Nazified thoroughly and had to apologise to the Jews and pay compensation. Jews have no reason to resort to anything against Germany which has made denial of the Holocaust in Germany a criminal offence and is teaching about Nazi crimes in all its schools (even so many Jews have understandable difficulty liking Germans or Germany). What a contrast to Turkey where manufacture of kindergarten official state history in general and denial of the Armenian Genocide has always been a big industry and one of the biggest Turkish exports - it is even protected by draconian repressive laws ignoring which may well lead to death and persecution (Hrant Dink, Orhan Pamuk and thousands of others...).
As for the IndiansAmericans as far as I know there are thousands of publications in the US admitting the great injustice done to the native Indians. NO ONE gets persecuted in the US for debating and discussing the subject although proper compensation and reparation to them is still pending.

[Hally]

Seto,

Your disinformation campaign is rather amusing.

First, the Republic of Turkey was one of the first nations to recognize the newly independent Armenia, but closed the border to protest Armenia's invasion and occupation of the sovereign nation of Azerbaycan, as well as the Armenian military's vicious slaughter of innocent unarmed civilian Azeris (ethnic Turks) who were trying to flee in the advancing Armenian army. The border closure has devastated Armenia's economy, not Turkey's. Turkey and Turks have virtually nothing to gain from opening the border. However, US and western European interests will be greatly served by an open border.

The US interest in opening the border between Armenia and Turkey is motivated by the US's desire to wrest Armenia away from "Mother Russia" so that vital pipelines conveying natural gas and oil from the central Asian plateau (former Soviet block countries with Turkic populations) can pass more cheaply and easily through Armenia and Turkey to shipping ports in the Mediterranean. Currently, planned pipelines all snake around Armenia through Georgia towards Turkey. This costs the US and western European nations who buy that gas and oil, more money.

If Armenia is pulled away from Mother Russia and the border opened, the "hope" is not only to make it cheaper and easier to transport those natural resources west, but also to diminish Russia's influence and power over Armenia (did you know that Russian military personnel in Armenia currently outnumber Armenia's own military? how interesting is that?).

[denica]

Mr Fein is attempting to explore a rational dialogue between the Turkish and Armenian communities. What he gets in return is the same shop-worn comments and attitudes from the Armenian side. I believe Diaspora has so much invested in their side of the issue that any attempt by Turkish side will be viewed as weakness. Despite what we always hear, this isn't simply Turkey apologizing for the events of 1915. Armenians (at least a large percentage) are making claims to a large section of Eastern Anatolia as theirs as well as other implied cash payments. Of course, societies have moved and no one today automatically has claims to a piece of land because their ancestors had it. Armenians are making a big mistake if they think they can take this to its limit (We need to immediately return this country to Native Americans). I congratulate Mr Fein for making an attempt to reach out with a well rounded argument.

[Masis]

He nearly did as he called it "a shameful act", however he couldn't "recognise" it of course because his nationalist movement was based on the criminal Ittihadist elements who in order to escape prosecution by the post war Istanbul government and the 1919 Military Tribunals, not to mention to keep the enormous stolen wealth of the Armenian nation they had murdered, joined Ataturk and his nationalist movement and government in Ankara.
If you're genuine about your question and are seeking answers to them there are literally hundreds of good books on the subject. But you couldn't do better than reading just Taner Akcam's two books; The Armenian Genocide: A Shameful Act; and the even more brilliant FROM EMPIRE TO REPUBLIC: Turkish Nationalism & The Armenian Genocide.
Good reading and good luck.