I think the point in this latter denial isn’t much about history but psychology and racism. Erdogan is saying that genocde in not in Turkish culture suggesting that it is in German, Rwandan and Cambodian culture. His statement is that Turks are super-human beings and are not capable of crimes.

The vase breaking point is a good illustration. I would add that what Erdogan is saying is also, “It is not in our family values to break a vase, therefore, I have never broken one!”

I actually would invite you to ask the question (I don’t have a clear answer myself) whether Turkey would utilize the same reaction to history if it was “Armenian extermination” instead of “Armenian Genocide.” The media has convinced us to believe that it is the G-word that makes Turkish officials mad. But remember that before the G-word existed Turkey was still denying the Armenian extermination like the 1930s affair when it threatened the U.S. of breaking ties if Hollywood made a movie on Musa Dagh.

So it maybe that this angry denial is not just for the simple G-word.

Thanks for the comment,

With hopes for lasting piece,

Simon

As I said in my previous comments, it is impossible to act like nothing bad had happened in 1915; but while arguing whether these occasions should be considered as a “genocide” or not, I think it is silly that saying nothing but “no genocide, no genocide” statements. It’s smt like a boy denying that he did not break the vase when her mother asks what happened =)

I think Turkish state should reconsider Her way of discussing 1915 occasions. Pure refusal of genocide claims does not seem to be anything reasonable for both Armenians and Turks who want to learn the truth..

b.t.w.; Sorry if I missed smt, Did Armenian government or the members of diaspora(I mean people in a dispersion after 1915) make any clarifying about this “discussing by means of documents” thing? I mean has any historical exchange between documents been made between Armenian and Turkish historians? Of course anything written on documents do not always tell the truth, any kind of manipulations should have been done, however discovering these manipulations are also a way of clarifying what has happened in 1915.. I hope I achieved to tell what I mean.

take care;

With hope for sustainable peace,

Serdar