On Sunday’s edition of Charlie Rose, the veteran reporter asked Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who on April 23 issued a statement offering condolences to the grandchildren of what he termed Armenians who suffered during the Ottoman Empire, whether the Turkish Prime Minister would use the word Genocide in describing the events of 1915.
Erdogan’s response: “If such a Genocide occurred would there have been any Armenians living in this country?”
Throughout the portion of the interview dedicated to the Armenian issue, Erdogan reiterated the reality that there were Armenians living in Turkey, citing that as proof of his continued denial of the Armenian Genocide.
He also went on to claim that Turkey “would never a turn a blind eye” to Genocide, as the Turkish people view that as a crime against humanity.
After reiterating the long-standing Turkish position to establish a commission to study the Armenian Genocide, Erdogan also blamed the Armenian Diaspora for “exploiting the situation,” saying that the Diaspora’s efforts should be rejected.
Interestingly, Rose followed up his questions about the Armenian Genocide with one that focused on an apology offered to Erdogan by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netenyahu and Turkey’s belief that it deserves compensation from Israel for the Mavi Marmara incident. Erdogan said that Turkey should be compensated as a pre-condition to establishing normal diplomatic relations with Israel.
Watch the entire interview and read below a transcription of the portion about the Armenian Genocide.
Charlie Rose: This has been an important week for you because of the statement you made on Armenia.
Recep Tayyip Erdogan: This has been something I have been saying for a long time. Every time I said this I said they were ottoman citizens. There were Armenians and people belonging to other ethnicities who died in many events. And, I always said that it is very natural for all ethnicities to remember their suffering and we have to respect that. We have in our territory many Armenian citizens, some who have passports and some don’t. There are some who live here without passports and we do not send those people away. Those Armenian continue to live here. We also respect the belief and freedom of thoughts of Armenians and we will continue to protect those rights.
C.R.: They would obviously like you to use the word Genocide. Is it possible for the prime minister of Turkey to characterize it as Genocide?
R.T.E.: It would not be possible, because if such a Genocide occurred would there have been any Armenians living in this country?
We have citizens here who have passports and also Armenians who have left Armenia. We don’t exclude them. We don’t send them back. They make a living in our country and they continue to live in our country.
We are a people who see Genocide as a crime against humanity. We would never turn a blind eye to such action. And, we always say this is a responsibility for historians. Our archives are open and historians can come and look at our archives. We have military archives as well. If Armenia has archives they can open theirs and if third countries have documents, they too could make them available and we can establish a commission made up of historians and legal experts and political scientists who can them look at those documents and they can then come up with a report and we can all respect those reports.
The [Armenian] Diaspora is exploiting that situation and I don’t think we should accept that. There is no reason why we should have any doubt or suspicion. That should not be the case and no one has the right to say that.
C.R.: But you are saying we have to recognize their suffering… and is there an apology there?
R.T.E.: These are our ancestors. This is not something that happened during the Republic of Turkey. This was during the Ottoman Empire. These are events that happened during migration and documents are very interesting. If the documents show that our ancestors made a mistake… if the historians can show that then we would pay whatever the consequence of that is.
So according to Mr Erdogan, the Holocaust never happened as there still are Jews living in Germany?
The guy is insane, his logic is fkd up
By 1945 8.000 Jews lived in Berlin (http://bit.ly/1kc6S4p ) – does it mean there was no Holocaust?!
Erdogan you moron, just for the case you didn’t knew yet, there are even Jews living in Germany after Holocaust.
This guy is a disgrace for the human race.
I AM SURE THAT TURKEY KNOWS WHAT HAPPENED IN TURKEY IN 1915 WAS THE SYSTEMATIC MURDER AND UPROOTING AND PLUNDER OF THE ARMENIANS BY THE THE ORDER OF THE TURKISH GOVERNMENT. IF YOU LOOK AT EASTERN TURKEY THEIR ARE NO ARMENIANS LIVING THERE THE FEW THAT ARE LEFT, ARE LIVING IN FEAR, AND ARMENIAN VILLAGES , SCHOOLS, CHURCHES AND MONASTERIES WERE DESTROYED THIS IS A FACT.
Our controlled media once again allows a chance for government allies to lie to the world regarding the first Holocaust which Winston Churchill himself used regarding the hundreds of thousand of subject Armenians killed before their final solution of 1915….This scripted propaganda was not scholarly or newsworthy……………………How long do Armenians have to expect justice without the constant pain of insult…………………………….
The only reason that I read about the interview taken by Mr. Rose is that he is somebody who is invited to the Bilderberg Group conference meetings. Դա շատ խղճալի եւ ամոթ է:
That Mr. Erdogan is lying is something expected, but Mr. Rose’s pretention that he needs to be elucidated is simply disgusting. They sound like a duet of idiots in unison.
He could at least say to Mr. Erdogan that the number of the victims is unprecedented and the generations of all victims that could be born, were not born.
He could at least say to Mr. Erdogan that the demonstration of humanism by recognizing this tragedy as Genocide is the only evidence of good will. So, by not recognizing the genocide, any nation displays evil will – will to commit the genocide someday.
Only positive outcome of this “interview” is that Mr. Rose disclosed the position and plans of the new world order club (BG). They have designed and supported the dead-born Armenia-Turkey protocols that had one single purpose – as long as it goes to obscure any efforts to solve the Armenian question. As we see, they succeeded until now, 2014. They also spread seeds and watch growth of 5th colony within nation. These activities are the poles of the speeches of week and coward politicians and their hosts.
What is prepared by BG to annihilate 2015? As it appears now the second stage of the big plan of the trivialization of the Armenian Genocide is about the refraction of the world’s attention toward the developments of “Erdogan-Gulen” fighting. It will be another good excuse (“sensitive times” for Turkey) for passing 100 years of silence unnoticed. But these 100 years were not years of solitude. Armenia discovered and learned better its friends. And knows about its enemies.
Someone should whisper into Erdogans ear that there are more than a million Jews living ,and working in Germany. Some with papers and others without.
are any jews living around the world today and specifically in germany.after holocaust . the only armenians left in turkie are in istanbul and because of the foreigners in that city they were survived.the armenians are not looking for an apology or condolences.or proof of a genocide we are looking for a reparation and restitution and returning the property to its original owners.and we are always ready with a large spirit as soon as turkie colapses just like the soviets did.
Sam you nailed it.We the diaspora Armenians came from our forefathers lands Anatolia.Armenians were living there for thousands years before the Turks got there.Now the question here is Is there any Armenian left living in Anatolia.Of course there are Armenians living in Istanbul.That time Turkey sided with Germany they lost the war.They could not kill more Armenians because Istanbul was occupied by the Allies.I am repeating what you already said.
Mr. denialist Turk Oghloo said ” These are our ancestors. This is not something that happened during the Republic of Turkey. This was during the Ottoman Empire.
I wonder why new “Ottoman republic” called Turkish republic, accepted Ottoman’s blood coloured flag!
itr is hard for a moron to admit his cuzzins and people raped and killed children and women let alone committed mass killings-aka genocide at the same time- of course the morons were ottomans that killed our people- the turks of then and now like him are deformed-in the brain and how they perceive the world-some of them still shit outside their huts-i have seen it! interior turkey is their home-the hills- the land they stole from us-we will get them back- when is the ? oh well mr turkey boy- we will take care of that
THANLK YOU TO CHARLIE ROSE–NOW WHY NOT FOLLOW UP AND INTERVIEW ALL THE TURKISH PROFESSORS WHO SAY THAT THE DOCUMENTS PROVE THE GENOCIDE? PLEASE DO THAT MR ROSE.
Yes, good idea. There is a Turkish Professor at Clark in Worcester. I attended his lecture at the Univ of Southern Maine- very interesting man, who has obviously angered the Turkish government.
Dear Mr. Rose would you please pass on this question to Mr. Erdoğan ; How would he elaborate ;
“President Woodrow Wilson’s Arbitration Decision of Nov 22nd, 1920” !?
as a political point of view in current political situation of the World and Democracy and Freedom Base on Humanity and progress towards the World Peace ?!
Sincerely appreciate
Genocide Survivor Grandson from Mush (Western Armenia) See you there 24 April 2015 A.D. – A.C. With
“GOD BLESSINGS” ;
Gevorg Der Galestanian (Google Search) ;
The word genicide was coined by Raphael Lemkin based on the experience of the Armenians. There are over 5000 books published on the subject and yet you go ask Erdigan those polite questions. Were you afraid or had not done your homework?
Your probably right Garo, but tunnrig a blind eye to this and other problems because we believe that justice can only be purchased by the persons with deep pockets will not help to keep such problems in check. Though money may get people what they want even if in fact they are not entitled to it, by standing up against them, they will in the end quite possibly have a little bit less money to buy what they are not entitled to, thus the threat they pose in the future is reduced a bit. If this is the end result of our efforts, I’ll be happy.
I am not sure what makes me sicker, Erdogan insulting us by saying that it wasn’t a Genocide, or Erdogan not saying anything.
“If such a Genocide occurred would there have been any Armenians living in this country?” What a stupid reasoning! There are Jews living in Germany today. What a moron.
Unfortunately Erdogan has all the help of the west specially from the US to refute our genocide. His speech was in accordance with the west because the western nations immediately jumped on the bandwagon and advised us to consider Erdogan’s despicable speech.
This is a comedy that will last for another hundred years…
R.T.E.: These are our ancestors. This is not something that happened during the Republic of Turkey. This was during the Ottoman Empire. These are events that happened during migration and documents are very interesting. If the documents show that our ancestors made a mistake… if the historians can show that then we would pay whatever the consequence of that is.
Yes! Mr.R.T.E ; Those (Ottoman Empire) is Your ancestors as they were same Turks as same Turks of Republic of Turky today ` who ` Swoard Whol Armenian Nation; man , woman, chaiduens and ocupied Armenians land complitally . And You Mr, R.T.E as an Ancestor of Your grand fathers holding Whol / Complit
responsibility of whol demeges that turks (Ottoman/Republik) turks ackured to the Armenian Nation.
All the turks has different first name and different last nam , but that dosen’t me
meen that they not Turks – Turk is a Turk , Ottoman Turk or Republican Turk –
So , please be Man enoghe …
Mr. Erdogan, get real and get some more information about facts. There are so many Jews living in Germany, does that mean that holocaust didnt happen?
I wish Charlie Rose were the only man whom the liars tell that.
1926 August 1: In an interview with the Los Angeles Examiner, Atatürk stated that the remainders of the Young Turk government should be held accountable for the Armenian Genocide. “These left-overs from the former Young Turk Party, who should have been made to account for the millions of our Christian subjects who were ruthlessly driven en masse, from their homes and massacred, have been restive under the Republican rule”, he said.[4][5]
1934[edit]
Mr. Erdogan would you please collaborate “President Woodrow Wilson’s Arbitration Decision of 22 Nov. 1920” ;
and it’s effect in current political situation of Middle East and The World Peace ?!
The decency requires Turkey to ratify the President Woodrow Wilson’s Arbitration signed agreement.
On 1915 all armenians left in turkey are the Armenians who accept the muslimanity . And then few years later some of them where back to there own believe.My part of the family kevork was named kemal Garbis was named hussein ext.After few month later they imigrate out of turkey and they had there original names and Religion back again.
MR ERDOGAN IS A LIER AND DENYER LIKE MOST OF THEM
R.T.E.: ” This was during the Ottoman Empire. These are events that happened during migration and documents are very interesting. If the documents show that our ancestors made a mistake… if the historians can show that then we would pay whatever the consequence of that is.”
The historians can show that. Let’s hold him to his statement. There needs to be a full disclosure of all documents and a full discussion of every historical event to finally demonstrate that there was a genocide. Maybe even the Turks are tired of defending the crimes of dead men.
It’s hard for Armenians to defend the Genocide in a long lasting disputes and discussions, it will only serve to give corrupt politicians the opportunity to make money, and the longer it drags the more money they make with the Armenian pain. Armenians can’t match Turkey’s economical power.
This truly infuriates me. PBS and its moronic mouthpiece is basically given Erdogan a large audience to deny the Genocide. Rose’s immediate response should have been,” Well there are many Jews in the world yet no one disputes their Holocaust”. Would Rose invite a Holocaust denier and then lob him a wide opening to state his denial. HELL NO! But no, Rose, PBS the neo cons and Israel firsters will never call Turkey on the carpet. We are protesting against the wrong group every April 24th. We should be protesting against the Jews who run the world media and the US foreign policy. We should protest it aggressively and violently if necessary.
Well, Charlie Rose knows who butters his bread. Coca Cola is the major sponsor of the Charlie Rose show. There are a number of turks working on the show. That is why Erdogan is part of that dog and pony show. As for violence, there is an old middle eastern proverb, “always dig two graves before carrying out revenge, one for the one you seek and one for yourself”
Erdogan`s response;If such a genocide accurred would there have been any Armenians living in turkey?Mr Erdogan forgot that many Jewish people lives in Germany .He means that was not Holocaust because is Jewish people lives in germany?
WHAT A STUPIDE RESPONSE FROM A TURKISH MINISTER
Hey, Charlie…get your nose out of Erdogan’s butt and ask some tough follow=ups. But there’s Charlie serving up softballs. Hey, buddy…grow a pair.
it is not good to lie… as i know he is a religious person, and his religion dose not accept lie…Hrant Dink is the best example of the lie of this person. He was killed because he was Armenian and wanted to speak loudly about Genocide…through denying he is taking the sin of what has been done during the Ottoman Empire and becoming one of them continuing to do Genocide. Turkey, for sure, can not be a member of EU and be equal as Germany, because Germany is civilized country and strong one, accepting what they have done with Jewish. Turkey has a long way to be civilized, which I can see from this interview. To accept the truth and say – sorry…it can be done only by strongest persons.
But i can not forget and I would like to express my thanks and respects to those ordinary Turks, who has sole and heart, who did their best to assist Armenians to survive within Turkey…although most of them changed their religion and their names and surnames, sometimes…their nationality as well.
Armenians did well to reject his condolences. There was nothing sincere there. We should keep fighting for Genocide recognition.
Who cares what erDOGan says to Mr. Charlie Rose. I don’t even think Mr Rose cared about him.
“This is not something that happened during the Republic of Turkey. This was during the Ottoman Empire.” – No excuse, after nearly each Armenian, Syriac and Pontic Greek has been killed or expelled, the cruel suppression towards the Kurds, especially the Alevis started.
Blogged about it last weekend
http://julian-tumasewitsch.blogspot.de/2014/04/the-kurdish-question-cant-be-understood.html
The photo of the starving Armenian children and the loaf of bread is haunting. I have yet to see a photo of Turks suffering during this time period. Where can all this photographic evidence be accessed?
If Kurds are oppressed, then why did Turgut Ozal become president of Turkey (Turgut Ozal is Kurdish). Or what about the leader of the CHP, Kemal Kilicdaroglu, as an Alevi.
I never cared for charley rose,with that pussy-foot,mealy mouthed attitude…NOW I know why…..To have a guest,who is the worst choice,to down play your program…Old mealy mouthed,must have got a bad rating(long in coming) is getting real desperate,and practicing SCATOLOGY…..
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Then why is he so hot and bothered about Israel? There are Israelis Arabs and Palestinians left…so no problem. There were also survivors of the Mavi Marmara….
So the .0005 % of the Turkey population are Armenians. In Germany .18% of the population is Jewish. No genocide ever happened anywhere!
Erdogan and his staff have to be given credit for coming up with a fresh new euphemism for genocide at this late date:”MIGRATION”! Did Charlie bat an eye at this misplaced term? Of course not.
So what the dog is saying you can kill anyone and then change your name and you will walk Scott free.
And the other Liar in Chief in the White House agrees with the dog because they are both Salafi Fundamentalist Muslims.