Talaat Pasha’s Report on the Armenian Genocide

compiled and introduced
by Ara Sarafian

PRESS RELEASE

Gomidas Institute
42 Blythe Rd
London W14 0HA
UK

Recent documents released in Turkish archives, combined with surviving documents from Talaat’s Pasha’s private papers, confirm that Talaat was indeed the architect of the Armenian Genocide. There is a clear record that he ordered and supervised the general deportation of Ottoman Armenians in 1915-16, and that he followed the fate of such deportees from close quarters. Talaat was sent updates regarding Armenians at different stages of deportations, as well as information about the fate of others who were subjected to special treatment.

Although a great deal of Ottoman records still remain unavailable in Turkish archives, the available records show that the Ottoman deportation thesis was a smokescreen for the annihilation of Armenians. Ottoman records in Turkish archives, as well as Talaat’s 1917 report, show that less than 100,000 Armenians survived in the so-called resettlement zone for Armenians. According to Talaat’s report on the Armenian Genocide, most Armenians in the Ottoman Empire had disappeared between 1915 and 1917, or they were dispersed in different provinces of the Ottoman Empire for assimilation. The forced assimilation of hundreds of thousands of Armenians was indicative of the power, control and purpose of the Ottoman state.

Talaat Pasha’s Report on the Armenian Genocide, 1917 is the closest official Ottoman view we have of the Armenian Genocide. The report was undoubtedly prepared for Talaat Pasha and meant for his private use. It was not meant for publication and probably only survived because Talaat was assassinated in 1921 and his widow gave the report to a Turkish historian who eventually published it.* No such record has been released by Turkish archives to date, though the data presented in the 1917 report can be checked against the available Ottoman records and stands scrutiny.

According to Talaat’s figures 1,150,000 Armenians disappeared in the Ottoman Empire between 1915-1917. This number includes well over 100,000 Armenians who fled from the Ottoman Empire in 1915 (and died in large numbers from hunger, exposure and disease), but it does not include tens of thousands of Armenian women and children who were absorbed into Muslim families or placed into state orphanages for assimilation.

In this publication of Talaat’s report on the Armenian Genocide, historian Ara Sarafian discusses the 1917 report in light of other Ottoman records. He presents Talaat’s statistics in all detail and includes two invaluable color maps demonstrating the content of the report, as well as additional Ottoman documents related to the Armenian Genocide. Sarafian presents Talaat’s breakdown of the number of Armenians, their native provinces, and their whereabouts in the Ottoman Empire in 1917.

* See Murat Bardakçý, Talat Paþa’nýn Evrak-ý Metrukesi : Sadrazam Talat Paþa’nýn özel arþivinde bulunan Ermeni tehciri konusundaki belgeler ve hususi yazýþmalar [The Remaining Documents of Talaat Pasha: Documents and Important Correspondence Found in the Private Archives of Sadrazam Talaat Pasha about the Armenian Deportations], Istanbul: Everest Yayýnlarý, 2008.

ISBN 978-1-903656-61-7
70 pp., includes color map insert.
Publication year 2011 by Gomidas Institute (London)
Price: pb., UK£12.00 / US$18.00 plus shipping.

To order contact books@gomidas.org or books@garodbooks.com

Free pdf download of book.
Free pdf download of map 1 and map 2.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction by Ara Sarafian 5
Map 18

TALAAT PASHA’S 1917 REPORT
Opening Summary Page: Data and Calculations 20

WESTERN PROVINCES (MAP) 22
Constantinople 23
Edirne vilayet 24
Chatalja mutasarriflik 25
Izmit mutasarriflik 26
Hudavendigar (Bursa) vilayet 27
Karesi mutasarriflik 28
Kala-i Sultaniye (Chanakkale) mutasarriflik 29
Eskishehir vilayet 30
Aydin vilayet 31
Kutahya mutasarriflik 32
Afyon Karahisar mutasarriflik 33
Konia vilayet 34
Menteshe mutasarriflik 35
Teke (Antalya) mutasarriflik 36

CENTRAL PROVINCES (MAP) 37
Ankara (Angora) vilayet 38
Bolu mutasarriflik 39
Kastamonu vilayet 40
Janik (Samsun) mutasarriflik 41
Nigde mutasarriflik 42
Kayseri mutasarriflik 43
Adana vilayet 44
Ichil mutasarriflik 45

EASTERN PROVINCES (MAP) 46
Sivas vilayet 47
Erzerum vilayet 48
Bitlis vilayet 49
Van vilayet 50
Trebizond vilayet 51
Mamuretulaziz (Elazig) vilayet 52

SOUTH EASTERN PROVINCES AND RESETTLEMENT ZONE (MAP) 53
Marash mutasarriflik 54
Aleppo (Halep) vilayet 55
Urfa mutasarriflik 56
Diyarbekir vilayet 57
Syria vilayet 58
Zor mutasarriflik 59
Mosul vilayet 60
Beirut vilayet 61
Jerusalem (Kudus-i Sherif) vilayet 62

Appendix 1: A Report from the Turkish Military Archives 65
Appendix 2: Talaat’s “Black Booklet” 67
Map 1: Destruction of Armenians in the Ottoman Empire, 1915-17 insert
Map 2: Surviving Armenian Deportees in the Ottoman Empire, 1917 insert

 

Yerevan Hosts International Conference on Genocide Prevention, Condemnation and Elimination of Consequences

YEREVAN (RFE/RL)—Genocide scholars from about 20 countries are in Armenia for a two-day international conference on Genocide that kicked-off on Tuesday in Yerevan. The symposium is titled, “The Crime of Genocide: Prevention, Condemnation and Elimination of Consequences.”

[Prominent genocide scholars from about 20 countries participated in the conference: Yves Ternon (France), Leandro Despouy (Argentine), Israel Charny (Israel), Donna-Lee Frieze (Australia), William Schabas (Ireland), François Roelants du Vivier (Belgium), Taner Akcam (USA-Germany), Richard Hovhannisian, (USA) Tessa Hofmann (Germany), Ayman Abdel Aziz Salama (Egypt), Frank Chalk (Canada), Matthias Bjørnlund (Denmark), Mohammed Rifat (Egypt), Theofanis Malkidis (Greece), Ruben Safrastyan (Armenia), Enzo Maria Le Fevre (Italy/Hungary), Tetsushi Ogata (Japan), Dickran Kouymjian (USA-France), Anthonie Holslag (Netherlands) , Armen Marsoobian (USA), Peter Balakian (USA), Wa’il Nicholas Khair (Lebanon) and Seda Parsamyan (Armenia). see details]

Opening the conference, President Serzh Sargsyan called for broader international recognition of the Armenian genocide, stressing that the crime’s affirmation is essential for preventing more crimes against humanity.

Sargsyan’s remarks come amid growing pressure on the US Congress to bring the Armenian Genocide resolution (H.Res.252) to a vote in the full House of Representatives. The conference is part of what seems to be a strong push by official Yerevan to support the measure in the aftermath of its collapsed talks with Turkey to normalize relations.

One of the conference participants, prominent Armenian-American historian Richard Hovannisian, suggested that Armenia’s government has toughened its position on genocide recognition since the collapse of its normalization agreements with Turkey. “It seems to have become more determined,” Hovannisian told RFE/RL’s Armenian service.

Sargsyan’s policy of rapprochement with Turkey has triggered a barrage of criticism from many in Armenia and its worldwide Diaspora. They say that Ankara has exploited it to keep more countries from recognizing the slaughter of some 1.5 million Ottoman Armenians as genocide.

Taner Akcam, a U.S.-based Turkish scholar also participating in the conference, said such recognition would make it much harder for the Turkish state to claim that Armenians died in much smaller numbers and not as a result of a premeditated government policy.

“I strongly recommend recognition of the Armenian genocide,” Akcam told journalists. “This is also important for the prevention [of more genocides,]” he said.

He went on to describe Turkey’s treatment of the issue as “a policy of 95 years of denial” that is preventing Turkey from developing a true democracy. “Facing history is a very honorable thing and I’m hopeful the Turkish government will change the policy soon,” Akcam added.

“I do hope that Turkey will face this dark chapter of the history. Turkey is not the Turkey that we know for 10 years. If it wants to be a member of the European Union, of the civilized world, it has to acknowledge these wrongdoings of the past,” Akcam said.

But Turkey’s policy of denial and its relations with the leading countries of Europe have diluted pressure from the EU for Turkey to come to grips with its past, according to Tessa Hofmann of the Free University in Berlin.

Hofman explained that in her own country, Germany, the government, now more than ever “stays committed to its position of categorically denying that what happened was genocide.”

Armenia should therefore submit its case to the International Court of Justice in The Hague, she stressed.

The conference also explored Israel’s role in Turkey’s denial of the Genocide, with a presentation by renowned genocide historian Israel Charny, who said Jerusalem should officially recognize the crime on a political level.

“Though, Israel has long recognized the Armenian Genocide on societal and cultural level, at the state level, this has not happen,” said Charny.

Speaking about retribution and reparations, Egyptian scholar Ahman Abgel Avi Salami said the descendants of Armenian Genocide survivors have the right to demand compensation from Turkey as a successor of the Ottoman Empire.

According to Abgel Avi Salami, Turkey should recognize the Armenian Genocide, apologize, and pay compensation. “It has to promise not to commit such crimes in the future,” he said, citing the German example, where Berlin recognized the Holocaust and paid compensation to Jewish descendants. “Turkey should do the same regarding Armenians,” he added.

The scholar explained that the Republic of Armenia has the right to file a lawsuit against Turkey to protect the interests of Armenians and descendants of the Genocide survivors, who once found shelter in the territory of Armenia.

“U.S., France and Canada also can protect interests of the descendants residing in their territory. Legal responsibility for genocide has no time limits, while moral responsibility surpasses the legal one,” said Abgel Avi Salami. “This is mentioned in the UN resolution [on Genocide Prevention]. However, real politics prevents from implementation of this resolution.”

Sargsyan had similarly criticized the “political expediency and short-sighted opportunism” that often shape governments’ attitudes towards past and present genocides.

“The bitter lessons of the Armenian genocide did not go down in the history and memory of humankind as mere memories of the past. They came to be replaced by the horrors of the Holocaust and the tragedies in Rwanda, Darfur and many other places,” he said in a speech at the forum. His remarks were a clear reference to the reluctance of countries to recognize the Genocide and risk antagonizing Turkey.

Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian made the same point, saying that the prevention and condemnation of genocides should not be taken hostage to politics and instead must be on the international community’s agenda. “Genocide denial and impunity pave the way for new crimes against humanity. Regardless of geopolitical or other interests, the international community must be united in condemning and preventing genocide,” Nalbandian told conference participants.

Address of President Serzh Sargsyan to the Conference dedicated to the 90th Anniversary of Woodrow Wilson’s Arbitral Award

Dear Participants of the Conference,

Ninety years ago on this day – November 22, 1920, the President of the United States Woodrow Wilson made an Arbitral Award regarding Armenia’s borders.

It was probably one of the most momentous events for our nation in the 20th century which was called up to reestablish historic justice and eliminate consequences of the Armenian Genocide perpetrated in the Ottoman Empire. The Arbitral Award defined and recognized internationally Armenia’s borders within which the Armenian people, who had gone through hell of Mets Eghern, were to build their statehood.

Perfidy and brutal force thwarted opportunities for calling President Wilson’s Arbitral Award to life. Nevertheless, its significance is not to be underestimated: through that decision the aspiration of the Armenian people for the lost Motherland had obtained vital and legal force.

With the collapse of empires after World War I, a number of European nations had been endowed with the opportunity to achieve self-determination through the creation of their own nation states. President Wilson wished for Armenia to be one of those nations which would employ all opportunities offered by the European civilization. He knew what the responsibility of a great state means; he didn’t not ignore sufferings of small nations.

Even today, through the power of his historic legacy, Woodrow Wilson entreats to strengthen international law, prevent genocides and undertake measures to restrain the impunity of brutal force. He is the one whom the grateful Armenian nation remembers and will remember for ever as an advocate of justice and a true friend.

Scientific studies and analysis of that historic ruling are of utmost importance, and I wish the Conference productive works.

Scholars From Across World to Participate in UCLA Genocide Reparations Conference


LOS ANGELES—Scholars from across the world are set to discuss the Armenian Genocide during a conference hosted by the International Human Rights Law Association at UCLA entitled “Genocide and Then What? The Law, Ethics, and Politics of Making Amends.” The event will take place at UCLA’s Dodd Hall Auditorium on Sat., Oct. 23 from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

”This is a ground-breaking conference, the first of its kind to tackle this issue as well as place it in the broader context of restitution for crimes against humanity,” noted Dr. Henry Theriault, chair of the department of philosophy at Worcester State University.

Armenian Genocide reparations report to be featured

The conference will feature a soon to be released report on the Armenian Genocide that brings together years of research from the legal, ethical, and political perspective. This independent study was made possible by a grant from the Armenian Revolutionary Federation.

”We look forward to discussing the report and the opportunity for critical feedback from the scholarly community at the UCLA School of Law and beyond,” said Theriault.
Theriault, whose work explores the ethics of reparations for crimes against humanity, will be joined on the first panel of the conference by Ara Papian, former ambassador of Armenia to Canada, and treaty history and law specialist, as well as Dr. Jermaine McCalpin (University of the West Indies, Jamaica), and Dr. Alfred De Zayas (Geneva School of Diplomacy and International Relations, Switzerland).

De Zayas has served as chief of petitions at the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in Geneva, is the retired secretary of the UN Human Rights Committee, and former senior counsel with the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. He recently authored The Genocide Against the Armenians 1915-1923 and the Relevance of the Genocide Convention.

McCalpin is a specialist in long-term as well as transitional justice. His research interests include truth commissions and political accountability, as well as reparations for slavery, Native American extermination, and the Armenian Genocide.

Crimes against humanity and restitution

In addition to presenting the report, the event will feature panels exploring Armenian Genocide reparations in the broader contexts of human rights violation reparations, the ethical foundations, the political implications, and real property determinations for reparations.

Key to this discussion is the participation of Michael Bazyler, professor of law and “1939” Club Law Scholar in Holocaust and human rights studies at Chapman University School of Law. Bazyler is a leading authority on the use of American and European courts to redress genocide and other historical wrongs. His book on the subject, Holocaust Justice: The Battle For Restitution In America’s Courts, was cited by the U.S. Supreme Court and reviewed in the Harvard Law Review, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, Financial Times (London), and the Economist.

Ethical foundations, political landscape

Providing perspective on the ethical imperative behind justice in the case of the Armenian Genocide and the dynamic political environment in which it is developing will be Dr. Armen Marsoobian, Khatchig Mouradian, and Ayda Erbal.

Marsoobian is a professor and chair of the philosophy department at Southern Connecticut State University. His current work deals with philosophical issues arising from genocide, including an exploration of inter-generational moral responsibility in the aftermath of genocide.

Mouradian is completing his Ph.D. in Holocaust and genocide studies at Clark University, Worcester, Mass. He has lectured extensively and participated in conferences in Armenia, Turkey, Cyprus, Lebanon, Syria, Austria, Switzerland, Norway, and across the United States. On April 24, 2010, he was a featured speaker at the Armenian Genocide commemoration held in Istanbul, Turkey, and on April 25, he presented as part of the “Reparations” panel at the first Armenian Genocide conference held in Ankara, Turkey.

Erbal is completing her Ph.D. dissertation at New York University in the department of politics. Her research focuses on the politics of changing historiographies in Turkey and Israel, and her work focuses on democratic theory, democratic deliberation, the politics of “post-nationalist” historiographies in transitional settings, and the politics of apology.

Genocide and real numbers

George Aghjayan, a Fellow of the Society of Actuaries, will present his research on the demographics of the Armenian population of Western Armenia prior to the Armenian Genocide. He will be joined by Rev. Dr. George Leylegian, who will discuss his work outlining the seizure and destruction of church properties lost during and after the Armenian Genocide, as well as its community and religious institutional impact.

The conference is free and open to the public. For more information about the conference, individuals may contact the International Human Rights Law Association.
The conference is organized by the International Human Rights Law Association with the support of the Armenian National Committee of America-Western Region.

Armenian Review Publishes New Issue: “Armenia and Armenians in International Treaties”


The Spring-Summer 2010 issue of the Armenian Review was released earlier this month. Titled “Armenia and Armenians in International Treaties,” the new issue examines the history and performance of Armenian diplomacy throughout the ages. The nine articles appearing in this volume explore treaties that Armenians have been involved in from the 4th century CE to the modern day Republic of Armenia, which were presented at a conference held at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor in March of last year.

The 264-page issue includes: Claude Mutafian’s examination of the various treaties signed between Cilician princes and their neighbors from the 10th to the 12th centuries; Keith David Watenpaugh’s exploration of the origins of Turkey’s denial of the Armenian Genocide, tracing it back to the confrontation with the League of Nations; An article by Sevane Garibian which traces the development of international criminal law by looking at how the Armenian Genocide was dealt with in the early part of the 20th century, ranging from the 1915 Allied Joint Declaration condemning the Armenian Genocide to the treaty of Sevres; Rouben Shougarian’s analysis of the 1997 Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation between Armenia and Russia; And Lusine Taslakian’s research on environmental treaties signed by the modern day Armenian republic, and how their provisions are being implemented. The issue also includes several book reviews.

The next issue of the Armenian Review is scheduled for winter 2010. To find out more about the current, past, or upcoming issues, visit www.armenianreview.org.
The Armenian Review has also started digitizing all of its past issues, going back to 1948, which should be available to the public by summer 2011. To support this effort and for more information please contact the editor at editor@armenianreview.org.

Other than the publication of these issues, the journal is in the process of co-organizing an academic conference to be held in Southern California in December of this year, examining 120 years of Armenian Revolutionary Federation’s activities. The conference, to be held at a major university, will feature scholars and academics from Armenia, Middle East, Europe and the United States. More information will follow.

Annual subscription rates are $30 for individuals and $60 for institutions at U.S. addresses. For addresses outside the U.S., subscription rates are $35 for individuals and $70 for institutions. Payments could be made online on the journal’s website. All subscription, order, and renewal inquiries should be addressed to the publisher by writing to the Armenian Review, Inc., 80 Bigelow Avenue, Watertown, MA 02472-2012; by emailing orders@armenianreview.org; or by calling (617) 926-4037.

Parlamento Vasco: Declaración institucional en el 90 aniversario del genocidio armenio

Núm. expediente: 08\08\03\00\0059
Fecha sesión: 20.04.2007
Número Diario: 59
Número asunto: 6
Título asunto: Declaración institucional en el 90 aniversario del genocidio armenio
Iniciativa origen: 08\11\05\00\0033
Oradores: Presidencia del Parlamento Vasco
Observaciones: Sin incluir en la convocatoria
Vídeo: Presidenta del Parlamento Vasco (14:19) [Ver vídeo] Se suspende la sesión. (14:28)

Texto completo:

Ahora tenemos una declaración institucional presentada por
los grupos, y la voy a leer:

“Declaración institucional en el 90.º aniversario del
genocidio armenio.

“En 2007 se cumplen noventa años del primer genocidio
científicamente planificado, organizado y ejecutado en la
historia de la humanidad, perpetrado por el régimen de los
denominados jóvenes turcos y la ideología del panturquismo
contra el pueblo armenio, el cual significó el asesinato de
casi dos millones de personas.

“Crímenes de esta naturaleza deben ser denunciados para
impedir que se repitan, así como para restituir los
derechos humanos y nacionales de las víctimas y condenar a
los culpables.

“Este genocidio debe merecer el repudio del pueblo vasco y
de todos los pueblos del mundo.

“El pueblo vasco y sus instituciones han rechazado la
discriminación racial, religiosa o política, y este
Parlamento ha denunciado siempre todos los actos de
genocidio, considerando que el paso del tiempo no los hace
merecedores del olvido. Las denuncias de nuestro Parlamento
de genocidios tales como los de Bosnia, Kosovo, el
Kurdistán iraquí, la hambruna artificial ucraniana de 1932-
33, son claras muestras de ello.

“Por medio de esta declaración institucional este
Parlamento une su voz a la de otras instituciones y
parlamentos tales como el Parlamento Europeo, el Consejo de
Europa y multitud de parlamentos estatales y regionales,
así como instituciones internacionales y humanitarias que
han denunciado estos hechos.

“De acuerdo con lo anterior, el Parlamento Vasco

“1. Recuerda con dolor el 90.º aniversario del genocidio
contra el pueblo armenio llevado a cabo por el Gobierno de
Turquía, que supuso el asesinato de más de dos millones de
personas.

“2. Considera, de conformidad con la resolución del
Parlamento Europeo de junio de 1987, reafirmada por
posteriores resoluciones (como la del 28 de febrero de 2002
y 1 de abril de 2004), que los hechos sufridos entonces por
la población armenia constituyen un auténtico genocidio, de
acuerdo con la Convención de las Naciones Unidas para la
prevención y castigo del crimen de genocidio, adoptada en
diciembre de 1904.

“3. Denuncia la política desarrollada por Turquía, que
niega sistemáticamente la existencia del genocidio y
persigue a quienes defienden su existencia mediante la
inclusión en su legislación penal de la consideración del
tratamiento de asuntos relacionados con Armenia o Chipre
como amenazas contra los intereses nacionales
fundamentales.

“4. Rechaza el bloqueo fronterizo y económico a que somete
Turquía a la República de Armenia desde su independencia de
la URSS en 1991.

“5. Comparte con el Parlamento Europeo que un país en vías
de adhesión a la Unión Europea debe abordar y reconocer su
pasado, y solicita a Turquía que establezca con Armenia
unas relaciones diplomáticas de vecindad buenas y
armoniosas y resuelva sus conflictos fronterizos de forma
pacífica.

“6. Muestra su simpatía por el pueblo armenio, y apoya sus
esfuerzos por consolidar su proceso democrático y asentar
en la región del Cáucaso un espacio estable de cooperación
y libertad.

“En consecuencia, y en consonancia con anteriores
resoluciones de este Parlamento, el Parlamento Vasco insta
al Gobierno y a las instituciones vascas a cooperar con las
autoridades y sociedades de de los países de la extinta
URSS a través de los Fondos de Cooperación al Desarrollo
que tienen dispuestos para la consecución de estos
objetivos generales.

“Esta declaración será remitida a los presidentes de los
parlamentos turco y armenio, así como a sus respectivos
embajadores en el Estado”.

Voy a proceder a leer la declaración en castellano, y, por
favor, les pediría que guarden silencio:

“Declaración institucional en el 90.º aniversario del
genocidio armenio.

“En 2007 se cumplen noventa años del primer genocidio
científicamente planificado, organizado y ejecutado en la
historia de la humanidad, perpetrado por el régimen de los
denominados jóvenes turcos y la ideología del panturquismo
contra el pueblo armenio, el cual significó el asesinato de
casi dos millones de personas.

“Crímenes de esta naturaleza deben ser denunciados para
impedir que se repitan, así como para restituir los
derechos humanos y nacionales de las víctimas y condenar a
los culpables.

“Este genocidio debe merecer el repudio del pueblo vasco y
de todos los pueblos del mundo.

*****

Documento 1 de 1

Núm. expediente: 08\11\05\00\0033
Fecha boletín: 27.04.2007
Núm. boletín: 99
Página boletín: 16312
Sumario: En el 90.º aniversario del genocidio armenio (Acuerdo del Pleno) (08/11.05.00.0033)

Texto completo:

En el 90.º aniversario del genocidio armenio (Acuerdo del Pleno)
(08/11.05.00.0033)

En ejecución de la resolución adoptada por el Pleno
ordinario celebrado el día 20 de abril de 2007, esta
Presidencia, al amparo de lo dispuesto en el artículo 97
del vigente Reglamento de la Cámara, ordena su publicación
en el Boletín Oficial del Parlamento Vasco.

La presidenta del Parlamento Vasco
Izaskun Bilbao Barandica

CARMELO BARRIO BAROJA, SECRETARIO PRIMERO DE LA MESA DEL
PARLAMENTO VASCO,

CERTIFICO

Que el Pleno del Parlamento Vasco, en la sesión
celebrada el día 20 de abril de 2007, ha aprobado una
declaración institucional en el 90.º aniversario del
genocidio armenio, con arreglo al siguiente texto:

“En 2007 se cumplen noventa años del primer genocidio
científicamente planificado, organizado y ejecutado en la
historia de la humanidad, perpetrado por el régimen de los
denominados jóvenes turcos y la ideología del panturquismo
contra el pueblo armenio, el cual significó el asesinato de
casi dos millones de personas.

Crímenes de esta naturaleza deben ser denunciados para
impedir que se repitan, así como para restituir los
derechos humanos y nacionales de las víctimas y condenar a
los culpables.

Este genocidio debe merecer el repudio del pueblo vasco
y de todos los pueblos del mundo.

El pueblo vasco y sus instituciones han rechazado la
discriminación racial, religiosa o política, y este
Parlamento ha denunciado siempre todos los actos de
genocidio, considerando que el paso del tiempo no los hace
merecedores del olvido. Las denuncias de nuestro Parlamento
de genocidios tales como los de Bosnia, Kosovo, el
Kurdistán iraquí, la hambruna artificial ucraniana de 1932-
33, etcétera, son claras muestras de ello.

Por medio de esta declaración institucional, este
Parlamento une su voz a la de otras instituciones y
parlamentos tales como el Parlamento Europeo, el Consejo de
Europa y multitud de parlamentos estatales y regionales,
así como instituciones internacionales y humanitarias que
han denunciado estos hechos.

De acuerdo con lo anterior, el Parlamento Vasco:

1. Recuerda con dolor el 90.º aniversario del genocidio
contra el pueblo armenio llevado a cabo por el Gobierno de
Turquía, que supuso el asesinato de más de dos millones de
personas.

2. Considera, de conformidad con la resolución del
Parlamento Europeo de junio de 1987, reafirmada por
posteriores resoluciones (28 de febrero de 2002 y 1 de
abril de 2004), que los hechos sufridos entonces por la
población armenia constituyen un auténtico genocidio, de
acuerdo con la Convención de las Naciones Unidas para la
prevención y castigo del crimen de genocidio, adoptada en
diciembre de 1904.

3. Denuncia la política desarrollada por Turquía, que
niega sistemáticamente la existencia del genocidio y
persigue a quienes defienden su existencia mediante la
inclusión en su legislación penal de la consideración del
tratamiento de asuntos relacionados con Armenia o Chipre
como amenazas contra los intereses nacionales
fundamentales.

4. Rechaza el bloqueo fronterizo y económico a que somete
Turquía a la República de Armenia desde su independencia de
la URSS en 1991.

5. Comparte con el Parlamento Europeo que un país en vías
de adhesión a la Unión Europea debe abordar y reconocer su
pasado, y solicita a Turquía que establezca con Armenia
unas relaciones diplomáticas de vecindad buenas y
armoniosas y resuelva sus conflictos fronterizos de forma
pacífica.

6. Muestra su simpatía por el pueblo armenio, y apoya sus
esfuerzos por consolidar su proceso democrático y asentar
en la región del Cáucaso un espacio estable de cooperación
y libertad.

En consecuencia, y en consonancia con anteriores
resoluciones de este Parlamento, el Parlamento Vasco insta
al Gobierno y a las instituciones vascas a cooperar con las
autoridades y las sociedades de los países de la extinta
URSS a través de los Fondos de Cooperación al Desarrollo
que tienen dispuestos para la consecución de estos
objetivos generales.

Esta declaración será remitida a los presidentes de los
parlamentos turco y armenio, así como a sus respectivos
embajadores en el Estado”.

Y para que así conste, y en orden a su ejecución, expido
la presente certificación con el visto bueno de la
presidenta del Parlamento Vasco, en Vitoria-Gasteiz, a 20
de abril de 2007.

El secretario primero de la Mesa, Carmelo Barrio Baroja.
Visto bueno, la presidenta del Parlamento Vasco, Izaskun
Bilbao Barandica