Stephen Kramer’s ideas on the conflict between Israelis and Palestinians seem logical and are interesting, but he stops making sense when he stumbles on the topic of the Armenian genocide. Mr. Kramer writes that the attempted extermination of Armenians in 1915 can’t qualify as genocide because “...Turks didn’t plan and carry out an Armenian genocide to the same extent as the Nazis, who developed a blueprint for genocide.”

Does Mr. Kramer think genocide can only be called genocide if it mirrors the Holocaust? Raphael Lemkin, who coined the word genocide, cited the Armenian case, which got him started. And had it not been for his vigour and tireless efforts, the U.N. Convention on Genocide would not exist.

Best regards,

Garen Megerditchian

Toronto

The article written by Stephen Kramer called “Crybabies,” [contains] a lot of false statements and misinformation. First off, he tries to deny the fact that there was an Armenian genocide. He then tries to back his statement up with these two facts: 1 “ the Ottoman Turks didn’t have a leader like Hitler who built his whole career on the annihilation of the Jews; 2 “ the Turks didn’t plan and carry out an Armenian genocide to the same extent as the Nazis, who developed a blueprint for genocide. The Nazis went so far as to continue exterminating Jews even when it detracted from their military efforts towards the end of WWII.”

If he were to properly research, he would know that the Young Turks, who were leading Turkey at the time during the genocide (1915-23), were out to kill all Christians in the Ottoman Empire, especially the Armenians, and that this was the second occasion within the Empire; 500,000 were killed by the last Sultan. Also, Hitler did not build his career of wanting to kill Jews. The Turks also did plan the genocide. We went through death marches, were burnt alive, pushed off of boats in the middle of the sea, and stuffed into caves with brush fires lit at the entrance (the first gas-chambers).

Hitler is quoted stating, “Who, after all, remembers the annihilation of the Armenians?” He said this while persuading his counterparts to kill Jews. How dare your “journalist” write an article doubting what happened. Jews should stand with Armenians. If one genocide is not recognized it only contributes to more genocides.

The U.S. ambassador to the Ottoman Empire was a Jew; Henry Morganthau. He wrote to President Wilson many a times, of what was happening. The only reason it was not referred to as genocide during that time is because the word was not yet created. Please encourage true research, because this article is dead wrong on so many levels.

Shant Kirmizian

Detroit

It is with heavy heart that I write to refute some inaccurate statements made by Stephen Kramer (November 27) about the historic fact of the Armenian Genocide. It is an indisputable and undeniable fact (except by the Turks and their apologists).

To even try to list the solid evidence would take up more space than the editor will allot this letter.

However, permit me to say to Mr. Kramer, “Since you live in Jerusalem, get in touch with Dr. Israel W. Charny, Professor Emeritus of Psychology, Hebrew University, Jerusalem, and Executive Director, Institute of Holocaust and Genocide, and ask him whether or not there was an Armenian Genocide.” He has written extensively – and also spoken extensively – that there was. He can also be reached at encygeno@mail.com. Not only does Dr. Charny welcome enquiries, but also he welcomes those who deny the Armenian Genocide to submit their case to his Journal, which he edits.

Mr. Kramer says: “... the Ottoman Turks didn’t have a leader like Hitler. ...” True. They had a Triumvirate of leaders – Djemal, Enver, Talaat – who conceived, planned, and carried out the Armenian Genocide.

Mr. Kramer says: “. . . the Turks didn’t plan and carry out an Armenian genocide to the same extent as the Nazis, who developed a blueprint for genocide.” False. In fact, the Turks created the Template for all future genocides, and if Mr. Kramer does a bit of homework, he will find that what the Nazis did to the Jews (and other minorities) followed the same steps that the Turks took. After all, many of Hitler’s closest associates served in or with the Turkish army during World War I. They saw and reported and wrote about what they saw.

Mr. Kramer writes: “The Nazis went so far as to continue exterminating Jews even when it detracted from their military efforts towards the end of WWII.” So, too, did the Turks. In fact, the Turkish High Command complained bitterly that Turkish resources including rail cars – were being diverted from the War fronts. Their complains went unheeded.

Mr. Kramer writes: “The Armenians. . .have never been subjected to such a premeditated plan of genocide as the Holocaust.” Again, false. In fact, of the five criteria that constitute genocide, as defined by the U.N. Convention on Genocide, only that which happened to the Armenians meets all five. The Turks went so far as to invade orphanages during World War I and after in order to kill any children being protected by the many foreign missionaries. As far as I have read, even the Nazis didn’t go that far during the war— and, obviously, were not around after the war to do what the Turks did because the world chose not to punish the Turks.

But, to try to keep this short, permit me to suggest to Mr. Kramer that he contact the 53 Israeli and Jewish historians and scholars who, in 2001, in an open letter to the Turkish government, asked that it accept the fact of the Armenian Genocide – names and affiliations can be supplied.

Or, Mr. Kramer could contact the 150 historians and scholars who placed a full-page ad in the Washington Post, on April 23, 1999, under the headline: “Turkey Must Stop Denial of the Armenian Genocide” – names and affiliations can be supplied.

Or, Mr, Kramer could contact the International Association of Genocide Scholars who also pleaded with the Turkish Government to stop its Denial of the Armenian Genocide.

Or, Mr. Kramer could read the decision of the International Center for Transitional Justice which pronounced that “. . .the events of 1915 did fall within the definition of the term ‘Armenian Genocide’ as defined in the 1948 UN Convention.” By the way. the ICTJ was asked by the Turks to review the “facts.” Naturally, Turkey (and its apologists) keep silent on this.

Finally, Mr. Kramer should consult the various reports and stories about Raphael Lemkin, who coined the word “genocide” and, when asked his definition of the word, said: “What the Turks did to the Armenians and what the Nazis did to the Jews.” In fact, as he has said, it was while a law student and discovered what happened to the Armenians and that there was no punishment for the crime (as he believed it to be) that he made it his life’s work to make genocide a crime. By the time he succeeded, Hitler had done his deed.

Oh, Yes. On six occasions, Adolph Hitler referred to what happened to the Armenians as the model for his plans for the Jews.

Permit me to close by saying that Israelis and Jews who deny the historical fact of the Armenian Genocide are fashioning a rod with which to beat their own backs. When the last eye-witness dies, when the last person who says “I was there. I saw. I suffered.” dies, testimony becomes history, and history can be denied. The Turks haven’t waited for the last Armenian Genocide survivor to die, and they have maintained their denial efforts. Rest assured, Mr. Kramer, that when the last of the Shoah survivors dies, there will be voices saying “What Holocaust?” and will point to the evidence as lies - as the Turks and their apologists are doing about the Armenian Genocide.

Andrew Kevorkian

Philadelphia, PA From the many letters

Reply from Stephen Kramer

I’ve received regarding the Armenian genocide, I’ve learned that my contrasting it with the Holocaust was mistaken.

For the Armenians, their experience was equivalent to the Holocaust. Both tragedies must not be forgotten or denied.

Sincerly, Steve Kramer