If Turks Afraid To Say "Genocide", We Will Change The Word – Aznavou

IF TURKS AFRAID TO SAY “GENOCIDE”, WE WILL CHANGE THE WORD – AZNAVOUR

news.am, Armenia
Sept 9 2011

Armenian News-News.am represents the famous singer, Armenian Ambassador
in Switzerland Charles Aznavour’s interview at France 2 channel’s
“Vivement Dimanche” program, which had caused serious reaction in
Turkish media and some circles of Armenia.

In your “From one door to another” book, you say that your problem
is the word “genocide”

It’s a word that bothers you, and finally bothers me. What I’ll say
now probably will make some Armenians angry with me, however, it’s
not tragic. If Turks really have the decency to say that only the word
“genocide” bothers them, we will change the word, so that the borders
get opened and the Turkish government, I’m not saying the Turks,
the Turkish government start thinking about a dialogue with us.

And why it’s so difficult for Turkey to recognize the genocide?

If I’m not mistaken, when we drink we say “to your health”, when Jews
drink, they say “to your life”, and when Turks drink, they say “to
your honor”. I think the problem is here, we should remind them that
honor has two sides and that they should not only protect themselves
but also accept the reality.

1.5 million, that’s a huge number for a small country.

1.5 or 2 million. It’s the same. When they kill a child, or 1.5
million Armenians, or 6 million Jews, it’s the same. They’ve killed.

They wanted to kill. That is important.

And all these innocent victims are left without a grave.

Yes, it hurts me because in Deir-el-Zor there are places where they
still find bones in the sand or in dust.

Earlier the Turkish media distorted the words of Charles Aznavour.

“Every time, when talking about Turkey or Turks, Charles Aznavour
tries to speak moderate. In this interview, once again he has tried
to distinguish the Turk individuals from the Turkish government,
but such a phrase like “the word genocide bothers me” he has never
said. Turks have distorted his words. Aznavour has only mentioned that
just like the killing of 1.5 million, the killing of one Armenian is
also unacceptable for him” said Hilda Chobanyan of Dashnaktsutyun.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Disclaimer: This article was contributed and translated into English by Emil Lazarian. While we strive for quality, the views and accuracy of the content remain the responsibility of the contributor. Please verify all facts independently before reposting or citing.

Direct link to this article: https://www.armenianclub.com/2011/09/09/if-turks-afraid-to-say-genocide-we-will-change-the-word-aznavou/

Emil Lazarian

“I should like to see any power of the world destroy this race, this small tribe of unimportant people, whose wars have all been fought and lost, whose structures have crumbled, literature is unread, music is unheard, and prayers are no more answered. Go ahead, destroy Armenia . See if you can do it. Send them into the desert without bread or water. Burn their homes and churches. Then see if they will not laugh, sing and pray again. For when two of them meet anywhere in the world, see if they will not create a New Armenia.” - WS