Dr. Henri Astarjian writes in Armenian Weekly about Armeno-Kurdish relations today noting that both sides realize that in order to settle their differences, they have to accept difficult compromises. One of those being the attempts of Kurds to erase the image of savagery, which they perpetrated during the Armenian Genocide. Another part of public relations strategy of Kurds was the celebration in Diyarbekir during the consecration of Surp Giragos Church, when the city hosted Armenian clergy and lay people with signs and flags welcoming their guests “Home”.
Armenians, in turn, are making a half-hearted effort to forgive, but not to forget, the Kurdish atrocities perpetrated before, during, and after the genocide. These are very difficult tasks for both.
The Kurdish was to gain independence from Ottoman Empire by the Treaty of Sevres within a year. The mandated year passed, and now over 90 years later, the Kurdish society remains disunited in purpose, Kurdish political thought and institutions are dangerously diverse and divided. And this disunity is their main problem.
This being the situational climate, Kurds can offer us only love and good will, which they are attempting to do, and we accept all that with gratitude—but that is not enough! The price of reconciliation is far greater than that. Sooner or later 30 million or so of them will have to have some kind of self-rule—be it autonomy, federation, or confederation—with Turkey, taking our legitimate rights to Western Armenia with them. This is not acceptable!
Armenian weekly goes on stressing the fact of remembering and condemning the Genocide perpetrators and rediscussing the issue of Western Armenia.
The problem of Armenians was and stays the fact of being scattered almost everywhere. The genocide and post-genocide psychological and physical translocations have created a reality of apathy in the nation. In the Diaspora, people, especially the political parties, are interested in rehashing failed policies, thereby avoiding a commitment to the new, necessary, risky, and difficult issue of Western Armenia.
The Diaspora, neglecting the real issue of regaining our rights in Western Armenia, is busy like the hounds chasing the plastic rabbit dangled in front of us. A church here, a church there, or a monument renovated and returned to us, generates psychological but deceptive comfort. It does not address the real issue of Western Armenia.
So Dr. Astarjian concludes by urging to bring the issue of Western Armenia on the radar screen and not engage in love fest with Kurds.
