Armenian, Assyrian and Hellenic Genocide News

After all, there will be an Armenian Monument in Assen
by Katholiek Nieuwsblad [ -- Catholic Newspaper] - December 1, 2000
Posted: Friday, December 29, 2000 04:20 am CST

Translated from Dutch exclusively for ANN/Groong

The controversial Assen monument "For the remembrance of our Armenian ancestors in the period of 1910-1920" is coming after all. The municipality gave its approval of this last week. However, the point is that Nicolai Romashuk, the applicant, wants to give broader meaning to this monument than the Municipality deems desirable.

The Municipality didn't comply with the advise of the to revoke previously given permission. The committee had proposed to issue a new permit for a revised text specific for the ancestors of Mr. Romashuk, and not a general Armenian ancestry one. The Municipality couldn't revoke its decision, because since the approval of the initial text of 4th of July 2000, there haven't been any new facts, arguments or circumstances to the contrary.

During the talks between Mr. Romashuk and Turkish community representative, attempts have been made to move Mr. Romashuk to yield more concessions. The Turks had no objection at all if Mr. Romashuk erected this monument to commemorate only his ancestors. Mr. Romashuk rejects this.

The municipality reiterated that it granted permission Mr. Romashuk to commemorate his ancestors. The Municipality doesn't want to discuss the question whether or not a genocide has taken place. The historians do have opinions about this. "That a genocide has taken place, I don't think there is any doubt about it" says Jos Weitenberg, an Armenologist at the University of Leiden." In Eastern Turkey, the Armenians comprised just under half of total population. At present there are virtually no Armenians in Turkey. For the Municipality, it is not important whether or not a genocide has occurred. `The home front needs to calm down. The tension must be reduced. 7000 letters have been received about this matter. This hasn't happened before. The Municipality doesn't want to be caught in the cross fire between the Armenians and Turks.'

This, however seems to be unavoidable. The Turkish as well as the Armenian sides use this monument to maintain an explosive situation. "The Turkish community in Assen is quiet but the ranks push sharp protests against this monument." says Jos Kessen, attorney of the municipality, who is closely involved with the case. "The same is valid for the Armenian community. It seems to push Mr. Romashuk to strive after a broader interpretation of this monument. We have told Mr. Romashuk that he may commemorate this with his compatriots, but not commemorate for tens of thousands of dead. We are going to make a deal with Mr. Romashuk so that he may be able to commemorate his ancestors on April 24.'

The last word hasn't been stated yet. Next to the question of whether the Armenian community will comply with the proposal of the Municipality is the threat by some members of the Turkish community to destroy the monument.

"I hope this will not happen", says Jos Kessen." In this case the Turkish community will be disqualified from this matter. Actually, I expect no problems. The erection of such a monument in Brussels was also controversial, but nothing has been destroyed after all."

What remains is a rock of offence. For the Turks, it is a bridge too far; for the Armenian community, it is a compromise. For the municipality, it is a heavy burden to bear, for which they are as yet unprepared.

In the meantime it is reported that an Assyrian priest from East Turkey faces capital punishment for having affirmed in an interview with the Turkish newspaper Hurriyet, the actuality of massacres on Armenian and Assyrian Christians. Not anticipating such an utterance, the newspaper headlined this interview: "We Have A Traitor Among Us". The priest, Yusuf Akbulut was arrested in his church. He will be put on trial on charges of high treason on 21 December 2000.

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