The Ottomans punished those who "wrongly oppressed" Armenians
Caliber.Az interview with US historian Justin McCarthy

INTERVIEWS  11 November 2022 - 11:00

In an interview with Caliber.Az, a prominent US historian, Professor Justin McCarthy, spoke about Turkish – Armenian and Azerbaijani – Armenian dialogue, and the so-called “Armenian Genocide”. McCarthy received a Ph.D. in Near Eastern history from U.C.L.A. in and a Certificate in Demography from Princeton University. He specializes in the history of the Middle East and Balkans, particularly Turkey and the Ottoman Empire.

 - One of the most sensitive questions overshadowing Turkish – Armenian and Azerbaijani – Armenian dialogue is the so-called “Armenian Genocide”. I know that it is a very deep topic but can tell key points about the events related to it. Why are you, as a historian, not considering it genocide?

- It is too complicated to describe in any detail. Very briefly, what occurred was both an international war and a civil war. Russia fought the Ottoman Empire; Armenian revolutionaries attacked the Ottoman Army and local Muslims. All sides endured great casualties. Both Muslims and Armenians suffered from forced migrations. Those who say there was an Armenian genocide ignore the facts.

- Armenians like to compare last century’s events with the Jewish nation’s Holocaust. Can these two historical events be compared?

- There can be no comparison. The holocaust was an irrational and immoral act in which the German Nazi Government tried to kill all the Jews. The Ottoman Government never tried to kill all the Armenians. Those Armenians who were most under Ottoman control, such as those in Istanbul, were not attacked. The relocation of Armenians was done to protect the Ottoman Army and civilians from Armenian and Russian attacks. That does not mean that the Ottomans always acted properly—no government ever does, especially in wartime. However, the Ottomans tried, imprisoned, and even executed many who wrongly oppressed Armenians. Armenians and Russians never punished their evil-doers.

- It is vitally important to create a network of independent scholars who support an unbiased view of the so-called Armenian genocide and territorial claims issues. Can you talk more about members of the US scientific community who are not under Armenian lobby influence and keep their independent views on the above-mentioned issues (Michael Gunter, Bruce Fein, Jeremy Salt, Sean McMeekin, Robert McKay, Christian J Henrich, Michael Walsh). Can the above-mentioned scientific community members freely express their thoughts regarding historical events related to the Ottoman Empire?

- Those scholars can speak for themselves. I can state that Armenian apologists have made it very difficult for anyone to speak or write anything against their position. They have attacked speakers, forced universities to cancel them, and caused publishers to refuse books that present opposing views. Political pressure has very effectively closed debate.

- What is the main obstacle to the creation of a joint Turkish-Armenian commission to investigate the so-called Armenian genocide?

- The answer is obvious. The sides will never agree to meet or to set up an independent commission. In particular, the government of Armenia has stated that it will only cooperate if the Turkish government first states that there was a genocide. This the Turks will never do because there was no genocide. An independent commission should have no preconditions. It should be made up of historians, not politicians.

-Is it correct information that you have lost your job at Louisville University due to Armenian lobby efforts? Can you please provide more details?

- I never was fired by my university; I simply retired at age 73. The University of Louisville always supported my right to free speech. Despite an Armenian campaign to have me fired, the university never took any action against me. As you can see I still use my e-mail address provided by University.

📹"And they (#Armenians) killed the Muslims over there. They slaughtered people in great numbers."

📌Watch how Justin McCarthy - History Professor at the #Louisville University- unveils the truth about the so-called #ArmenianGenocide pic.twitter.com/0kIVExMQ52

— EHA News (@eha_news) April 26, 2019

Caliber.Az