By Ivan Gharibyan

This week the state propaganda machine of Azerbaijan has decided to “pay special attention” to the matter of denying the Armenian Genocide in Ottoman Turkey. Since denying indisputable truth is the cornerstone of the Aliyev clan’s propaganda, the clan’s “humble servants” showed a crusading zeal.

The key role in the frenzied campaign was, as usual, assigned to the leading government-run mass media immediately controlled by the Ilham Aliyev administration. The public TV and radio companies of Azerbaijan have prepared a series of films and programs trying to deny the fact of the Armenian Genocide in the best traditions of the Aliyev fascist propaganda. Here are the titles of some films the government-run Aztv channel plans to televise: “Armenians: anatomy of hate. Operation ‘Outpost’”, “Armenians: anatomy of hate. Political adventure of the century”, “1915: Start to falsifications by Armenians”. No comments… The Public Radio of Azerbaijan has broadcast a program informing the public of how “Armenia is avoiding the formation of a committee of historians.” The government-run news agency of Azerbaijan “keeps pace with” the Public Radio.

The Aliyev clan has made the policy of denying the Armenian Genocide a means of self-affirmation, which has gradually turned into a means of asserting itself for the entire Azerbaijani people. We can only feel sorry for our neighbors, as the attempts are doomed to failure. Of interest is, however, the following tendency:

Over the last three years – long before the first steps in the Armenian-Turkish normalization process – the leading Turkish mass media have hardly used such expressions as “the so-called genocide,” “invented genocide” and others. Moreover, the phrase “tragic events in 1915” has often been heard during news programs. Of course, it is too little for the Turkish people on its way to repentance, but it can at least be viewed as a step forward.

This tendency, however, has no effect on Turkey’s “small brother.” Foaming at the mouth, and with cynicism surpassing that of Turks, official Baku goes on speaking of “invented genocide.” But no sensible person can understand the purpose. The only reason is their inferiority complex, which has reached the point of pathology.

T.P.