1726) Open Letter To Senator Barack Obama by Yuksel Oktay

Hon. Senator Barack Obama,
U.S. Democratic Presidential Candidate
Obama for America . .
P.O. Box 8102
Chicago, IL 60680
Dear Senator Obama,

Your arrival in the US political scene has been refreshing which has caught the attention of millions, including my wife, who was very impressed with your speeches and promises for the future of America. Your health care plan is very impressive that could bring health care to all Americans. I have also been listening to your speeches and reading your book and articles about your vision. David Brooks interview with you back in April, 2007 was also very informative where you mentioned that Reinhold Niebuhr is one of your favorite philosphers who believes that there is serious evil in the world, and hardship and pain, as elaborated in his book ‘’The Irony of American History.’’ You also stated that your aim was to bring people together, both in the US and around the world. More power to you.

Then, I read the remarks that you made at a weekly Washington DC breakfast briefing where you said, ‘’For those who are not aware, there was a genocide that did take place against the Armenian people. It is one of these situations where we have seen a constant denial on the part of the Turkish Government and others that this occurred. It has become a sore spot diplomatically.’’ This was reported in an Armenian web site, one of many thousands, which does not miss an opportunity to publicize anti-Turkish propaganda, which unknowingly be a party to.

Your above statement which only reflects the evil anti-Turkish propaganda of the Armenians who have been deceving the American people with a myhtical genocide that never took place does not tell the true story behind the Armenian issue. Those who have been following this issue know that the Armenians fired the first shot and began masssacring Moslems with the purpose of creating a state of their own on lands where they were not the majority in late 19th and early 20th century. Their rebellions across the eastern Anatolia forced the Ottoman government to relocate them to other parts of the Empire in 1915 which resulted in the death of Armenians and Moslems as well. Many Armenians returned after 1916 and in fact joined the French armies and continued fighting against their own government.

Dear senator, as a candidate for the highest public office in the US, which also sets the course for the world to follow, I believe it is your duty to look at both sides of the Armenian issue and do not condemn the Turkish people and the Republic of Turkey for a crime that they did not commit. As they say in the South, no matter how thin the pancake is, it still has two sides. Therefore, it is resectfully requested that you refrain from one sided statements which is not true, and tell both sides of the issue, as William Saroyan, the American writer did years ago.

Best wishes for a successful campaign.

Yuksel Oktay
New Jersey

June 1, 2007