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| German Parliament Declares Armenian Deaths a Genocide, Angering Turkey | German Parliament Declares Armenian Deaths a Genocide, Angering Turkey |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| BERLIN — The German Parliament overwhelmingly adopted a symbolic but fraught resolution on Thursday declaring the killings of Armenians by Ottoman Turks in 1915 a genocide, escalating tensions with Turkey at a diplomatically delicate juncture. | BERLIN — The German Parliament overwhelmingly adopted a symbolic but fraught resolution on Thursday declaring the killings of Armenians by Ottoman Turks in 1915 a genocide, escalating tensions with Turkey at a diplomatically delicate juncture. |
| The Turkish government angrily denounced the vote as “null and void” and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan recalled the ambassador in Germany back to Ankara for consultations. | The Turkish government angrily denounced the vote as “null and void” and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan recalled the ambassador in Germany back to Ankara for consultations. |
| Turkey’s foreign minister, Mevlut Cavusoglu, denounced the vote on Twitter, writing, “The way to close the dark pages of your own history is not by defaming the histories of other countries with irresponsible and baseless decisions.” | Turkey’s foreign minister, Mevlut Cavusoglu, denounced the vote on Twitter, writing, “The way to close the dark pages of your own history is not by defaming the histories of other countries with irresponsible and baseless decisions.” |
| Germany needs Turkey’s help in following through on a deal with the European Union to manage the refugee crisis arising in large part from the Syrian civil war, but at the same time, the German chancellor, Angela Merkel, has been under pressure not to be seen as caving to outside pressure. Her Christian Democratic Union and its coalition partners supported the resolution. | Germany needs Turkey’s help in following through on a deal with the European Union to manage the refugee crisis arising in large part from the Syrian civil war, but at the same time, the German chancellor, Angela Merkel, has been under pressure not to be seen as caving to outside pressure. Her Christian Democratic Union and its coalition partners supported the resolution. |
| For Turkey, there is scarcely a more delicate topic than what historians say was the murder of more than a million Armenians and other Christian minorities in 1915-16. The Turkish government has long rejected the term genocide, saying that thousands of people, many of them Turks, died in the civil war that destroyed the Ottoman Empire. It also says that the estimates of the number of deaths have been exaggerated. | For Turkey, there is scarcely a more delicate topic than what historians say was the murder of more than a million Armenians and other Christian minorities in 1915-16. The Turkish government has long rejected the term genocide, saying that thousands of people, many of them Turks, died in the civil war that destroyed the Ottoman Empire. It also says that the estimates of the number of deaths have been exaggerated. |
| But the issue is also fraught for Germany. At the time of the killings, Germany, led by Kaiser Wilhelm II, was allied with the Ottomans, fighting alongside the Austro-Hungarian Empire against Britain, France and Russia in World War I. Acceptance of German responsibility for the atrocities of World War II has become an established part of the nation’s culture, and historians and activists have said that the Armenian resolution was an important step in acknowledging Germany’s indirect involvement in the 1915 killings. | |
| Pope Francis called the killings a genocide last year, but the United States has long skirted the issue. President Obama has stopped short of using the word — most recently in a statement marking Armenian Remembrance Day on April 24 — though he used the term genocide before becoming president. | Pope Francis called the killings a genocide last year, but the United States has long skirted the issue. President Obama has stopped short of using the word — most recently in a statement marking Armenian Remembrance Day on April 24 — though he used the term genocide before becoming president. |
| In Germany, Cem Ozdemir, the co-chairman of the opposition Greens and a driving force behind the resolution, noted that there was “never a favorable time to speak about something as dreadful as genocide.” | In Germany, Cem Ozdemir, the co-chairman of the opposition Greens and a driving force behind the resolution, noted that there was “never a favorable time to speak about something as dreadful as genocide.” |
| In the debate, Mr. Ozdemir, a German of Turkish origin, read century-old statements by officials of the German Empire showing they knew that up to 90 percent of Armenians had been killed. “Working through the Shoah is the basis of democracy in Germany,” Mr. Ozdemir said, referring to the Holocaust. “This genocide is also waiting to be worked through.” | In the debate, Mr. Ozdemir, a German of Turkish origin, read century-old statements by officials of the German Empire showing they knew that up to 90 percent of Armenians had been killed. “Working through the Shoah is the basis of democracy in Germany,” Mr. Ozdemir said, referring to the Holocaust. “This genocide is also waiting to be worked through.” |
| He noted that there were Turks who saved Armenians, and, “before them, we bow down with highest respect.” | He noted that there were Turks who saved Armenians, and, “before them, we bow down with highest respect.” |
| Mr. Ozdemir said he had received threats because of his support for the vote, but that it was even more dangerous for people in Turkey to acknowledge the genocide. | Mr. Ozdemir said he had received threats because of his support for the vote, but that it was even more dangerous for people in Turkey to acknowledge the genocide. |
| The vote in the Bundestag, the lower house of Parliament, was nearly unanimous, with one lawmaker voting against and another abstaining. | The vote in the Bundestag, the lower house of Parliament, was nearly unanimous, with one lawmaker voting against and another abstaining. |
| Norbert Lammert, the president of the Bundestag, kicked off the debate with a clear message. “Parliament is not a historians’ commission, and certainly not a court,” he said. He added that the current Turkish government “is not responsible for what happened 100 years ago, but it does have responsibility for what becomes of this” in present times. | Norbert Lammert, the president of the Bundestag, kicked off the debate with a clear message. “Parliament is not a historians’ commission, and certainly not a court,” he said. He added that the current Turkish government “is not responsible for what happened 100 years ago, but it does have responsibility for what becomes of this” in present times. |
| But in Ankara, Prime Minister Binali Yildirim condemned the vote as a cynical distraction from Germany’s problems. | But in Ankara, Prime Minister Binali Yildirim condemned the vote as a cynical distraction from Germany’s problems. |
| “As they see it, they are trying to keep us responsible for the incidents in 1915,” he told fellow members of the governing Justice and Development Party. “Sometimes, countries we know as friends come up with brilliant ideas for distraction when they feel desperate in domestic politics.” | “As they see it, they are trying to keep us responsible for the incidents in 1915,” he told fellow members of the governing Justice and Development Party. “Sometimes, countries we know as friends come up with brilliant ideas for distraction when they feel desperate in domestic politics.” |
| He called the decision “a real test of friendship” and said that in a telephone conversation with Ms. Merkel about the resolution, he countered: “Nothing would happen without you. We know that.” | He called the decision “a real test of friendship” and said that in a telephone conversation with Ms. Merkel about the resolution, he countered: “Nothing would happen without you. We know that.” |
| Mr. Lammert, a member of Ms. Merkel’s party, labeled the Ottomans’ killing of Armenians as genocide last year. The resolution was supported by the party, its center-left partners in the coalition government, and the opposition Greens, despite anxieties over the ramifications for Germany’s relations with Turkey. | Mr. Lammert, a member of Ms. Merkel’s party, labeled the Ottomans’ killing of Armenians as genocide last year. The resolution was supported by the party, its center-left partners in the coalition government, and the opposition Greens, despite anxieties over the ramifications for Germany’s relations with Turkey. |
| Especially because of “our own chapters of dark history,” Germans know that only by working through past events can one achieve reconciliation and cooperation, Mr. Lammert said. | Especially because of “our own chapters of dark history,” Germans know that only by working through past events can one achieve reconciliation and cooperation, Mr. Lammert said. |
| He condemned what he described as threats — including of murder — against German lawmakers of Turkish descent if they voted for the resolution. Such threats are unacceptable, he said, insisting, “We will not be intimidated.” | He condemned what he described as threats — including of murder — against German lawmakers of Turkish descent if they voted for the resolution. Such threats are unacceptable, he said, insisting, “We will not be intimidated.” |
| To date, 11 of the European Union’s 28 members have recognized the Armenian killings as genocide and, despite initial protests, Turkey has maintained good relations with several of those countries. | To date, 11 of the European Union’s 28 members have recognized the Armenian killings as genocide and, despite initial protests, Turkey has maintained good relations with several of those countries. |
| When France approved legislation in 2011 recognizing the genocide, Turkey temporarily recalled its ambassador and halted bilateral military cooperation. Such steps by Ankara would be more complicated today and potentially more damaging, as Germany and Turkey are engaged in a NATO operation to stop migrant boats crossing the Aegean Sea from Turkey to Greece. | When France approved legislation in 2011 recognizing the genocide, Turkey temporarily recalled its ambassador and halted bilateral military cooperation. Such steps by Ankara would be more complicated today and potentially more damaging, as Germany and Turkey are engaged in a NATO operation to stop migrant boats crossing the Aegean Sea from Turkey to Greece. |
| Ms. Merkel and the two most senior Social Democrat ministers — Vice Chancellor Sigmar Gabriel and Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier — had not been expected to be in Parliament for the vote, citing prior government business in Germany or abroad. | Ms. Merkel and the two most senior Social Democrat ministers — Vice Chancellor Sigmar Gabriel and Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier — had not been expected to be in Parliament for the vote, citing prior government business in Germany or abroad. |
| As the vote approached, debate intensified in Germany, which is home to an estimated three million people of Turkish descent, many of them with dual citizenship. About 2,000 Turks demonstrated last weekend in Berlin, rallying to say that Parliament is not a court and therefore should not pass judgment. | As the vote approached, debate intensified in Germany, which is home to an estimated three million people of Turkish descent, many of them with dual citizenship. About 2,000 Turks demonstrated last weekend in Berlin, rallying to say that Parliament is not a court and therefore should not pass judgment. |
| All the parties sponsoring the resolution have argued that it is not Germany lecturing the Turks, but a step intended to foster reconciliation between Turks and Armenians by encouraging them to examine their history. | All the parties sponsoring the resolution have argued that it is not Germany lecturing the Turks, but a step intended to foster reconciliation between Turks and Armenians by encouraging them to examine their history. |
| Michael Grosse-Brömer, a senior parliamentary leader of Ms. Merkel’s conservative bloc, recalled that the original intent was to observe the 100th anniversary of the killings last year, and to try to work through a difficult point of history. | Michael Grosse-Brömer, a senior parliamentary leader of Ms. Merkel’s conservative bloc, recalled that the original intent was to observe the 100th anniversary of the killings last year, and to try to work through a difficult point of history. |
| “The intent is not, and never was, to incriminate someone,” Mr. Grosse-Brömer said on Tuesday. “The resolution was not intended to damage relations with Turkey, which is a reliable partner and NATO member.” | “The intent is not, and never was, to incriminate someone,” Mr. Grosse-Brömer said on Tuesday. “The resolution was not intended to damage relations with Turkey, which is a reliable partner and NATO member.” |
| “It must be possible to work through a historical event that took place 100 years ago,” he added. | “It must be possible to work through a historical event that took place 100 years ago,” he added. |
| But Aydan Ozoguz, the commissioner for integration, said before the vote that while she intended to vote for the resolution, “I still think it is the wrong path.” She added that she thought it would backfire. | But Aydan Ozoguz, the commissioner for integration, said before the vote that while she intended to vote for the resolution, “I still think it is the wrong path.” She added that she thought it would backfire. |
| Mr. Erdogan and ultranationalist Turks “will get a huge boost,” Ms. Ozoguz said this week. | Mr. Erdogan and ultranationalist Turks “will get a huge boost,” Ms. Ozoguz said this week. |
| “They will use the resolution as proof of a further attack by the West on Turkey,” she said. “Reasonable, considered voices will be isolated and will have no chance to be heard for a long time.” | “They will use the resolution as proof of a further attack by the West on Turkey,” she said. “Reasonable, considered voices will be isolated and will have no chance to be heard for a long time.” |
| Mr. Ozdemir, though, argued that the resolution would not be to blame for limiting or stopping historical investigation, since Mr. Erdogan had already “intervened expressly” to squelch any such moves. | Mr. Ozdemir, though, argued that the resolution would not be to blame for limiting or stopping historical investigation, since Mr. Erdogan had already “intervened expressly” to squelch any such moves. |
| The Greens leader has also been critical of Ms. Merkel, accusing her of paying little heed to Turkey for most of her decade in power and now being forced to deal with Mr. Erdogan. | The Greens leader has also been critical of Ms. Merkel, accusing her of paying little heed to Turkey for most of her decade in power and now being forced to deal with Mr. Erdogan. |
| Increasingly, the chancellor has engaged in a balancing act. When she visited Istanbul for a United Nations summit meeting last week, she spent time with Turkish intellectuals and lawyers critical of Mr. Erdogan before meeting the president. | Increasingly, the chancellor has engaged in a balancing act. When she visited Istanbul for a United Nations summit meeting last week, she spent time with Turkish intellectuals and lawyers critical of Mr. Erdogan before meeting the president. |
| After a German comic lampooned Mr. Erdogan with a crude poem, Ms. Merkel initially criticized the verses, giving the impression — which she later said was a mistake — that she advocated curbing the freedom of satire in Germany. | After a German comic lampooned Mr. Erdogan with a crude poem, Ms. Merkel initially criticized the verses, giving the impression — which she later said was a mistake — that she advocated curbing the freedom of satire in Germany. |
| The Armenian resolution has illustrated the many sensitivities of dealing with Turkey. Mr. Ozdemir said that Ms. Merkel and her foreign minister, Mr. Steinmeier, had pushed last spring to postpone the vote. That was before the migrant crisis, when ties between Germany and Turkey were less complicated. | The Armenian resolution has illustrated the many sensitivities of dealing with Turkey. Mr. Ozdemir said that Ms. Merkel and her foreign minister, Mr. Steinmeier, had pushed last spring to postpone the vote. That was before the migrant crisis, when ties between Germany and Turkey were less complicated. |
| Mr. Steinmeier, who left for Latin America before Thursday’s vote, brushed aside Mr. Ozdemir’s criticism, noting that there were always complicating factors in delicate diplomatic matters. | Mr. Steinmeier, who left for Latin America before Thursday’s vote, brushed aside Mr. Ozdemir’s criticism, noting that there were always complicating factors in delicate diplomatic matters. |
| His spokesman, Martin Schäfer, said on Wednesday that the Foreign Ministry hoped there would be “no lasting impairments” to relations. “We have a lot we want to tackle with Turkey,” including talks on its possible accession to the European Union, Mr. Schäfer said. | His spokesman, Martin Schäfer, said on Wednesday that the Foreign Ministry hoped there would be “no lasting impairments” to relations. “We have a lot we want to tackle with Turkey,” including talks on its possible accession to the European Union, Mr. Schäfer said. |
| The two sides seem to have taken care to leave themselves room to move forward on issues such as visa-free travel for Turks to Europe, which for Ankara is a crucial point of the broad accord on migrants, and advancing Turkey’s bid to join the bloc. Billions of dollars have also been pledged in European aid for Turkey to care of an estimated 2.5 million Syrians and Iraqis who have sought refuge within its borders. | The two sides seem to have taken care to leave themselves room to move forward on issues such as visa-free travel for Turks to Europe, which for Ankara is a crucial point of the broad accord on migrants, and advancing Turkey’s bid to join the bloc. Billions of dollars have also been pledged in European aid for Turkey to care of an estimated 2.5 million Syrians and Iraqis who have sought refuge within its borders. |
| In April, Mr. Erdogan visited the Armenian Patriarchate of Turkey to observe the anniversary of the 1915-16 killings and, in a carefully worded statement, extended his condolences to those who had died. | In April, Mr. Erdogan visited the Armenian Patriarchate of Turkey to observe the anniversary of the 1915-16 killings and, in a carefully worded statement, extended his condolences to those who had died. |