358) Documents on Armenian Massacre of Muslims in French Archives

France, a vocal opponent of Turkey's European Union membership, is also a fierce defendant of the alleged Armenian genocide. Lying at the center of the Armenian Diaspora, France frequently brings up the genocide allegations in international or domestic platforms.

 

France and other countries that have accepted the genocide thesis repeatedly block Turkey's call for a debate to be conducted by historians. Moreover Ottoman archives are deemed "biased". In response to this attitude, the Turkish Historical Association (TTV) opened the Ottoman Archives to the public and has conducted research about the topic in the French, British, Russian and American archives.

 

Within the framework of the project that concluded recently, the documents obtained from French archives are to be compiled. These documents include diplomatic correspondence that refers to Armenian massacres of the Muslim population within Ottoman territory. Secret official documents refer to Armenian rioting activity and to plans to cause panic among the Muslim population through assassinations which date from well before the deportation decision. Correspondence conducted with French Foreign Ministry contains information that Armenians were plotting to kill Enver and Talat Pashas and that their assassinations would be realized in contact with the Entente Powers. Concerning the documents found in the French archives, TTV Chairman Professor Dr. Yusuf Halacoglu comments, "the reason why our call for a debate conducted by a commission of historians was refused now has come to light."

 

According to the TTV's examination, 479 documents were brought to Turkey from France after they were photocopied. Most of the diplomatic documents bear a "confidential" sign on them. TTV will publish the documents in three volumes, which give the opportunity to evaluate the problems from the points of view of the Ottomans and the Armenians during World War I. The documents shed light on the pre- and post-deportation period whose original and Turkish versions will be published separately. The exchange of arms and ammunition between the French and the revolting Armenians are available in French archive documents. One of the documents, which best summarizes the actions of Armenians in the Ottoman Empire is the 14 May 1915 dated correspondence telling about the "killing of 6,000 citizens by Armenians in Van region". This document was sent to the French Foreign Ministry by Russia's Paris Embassy. Another telegram, dated 8 May, 1915, filed by French Foreign Ministry proves that triple-entente "benefited from" Armenians. The document reveals that "Armenians who revolted in Van killed many Muslims and civil servants".

 

Speaking to Zaman about their studies regarding the international achieve studies, Halacoglu claims that most of the countries that prosecute Turkey about the Armenian genocide now, benefited from the Armenians during the World War I. Halacoglu said they proved this with the documents they obtained as he added: "According to the Ottoman archives, we had formerly announced the massacre of Muslim public by Armenians. The documents that we have brought from other countries prove these massacres. Armenians' riots, massacres and plans can be seen in French documents as well, which played a role in the Ottoman's taking a decision for Armenian deportation."

 

Armenian revolt

 

Following is a statement sent by Russian Embassy in Paris to French Foreign Ministry on 14 May 1915:

 

"According to a telegraph by Sazanov to Iswoybky, a letter pinned on a harbinger's cloth sent by Van's Armenian colony to inform Tbilisi Armenians says: 'About 6,000 were killed in the Eastern Anatolian province Van, The Van and Catak defense still continued, the cannon balls did not cause much damage in Van but urgent help is needed.' This letter is dated 28 April 1915. Russia's Embassies in Paris and London take conveying the above information to the both cabinets as a mission."

 

Another Seon-signed telegraph from Salonica to French Foreign Ministry on 8 May 1915 says:

 

"Armenians have revolted in Van. They killed Muslims and civil servants there. They blew up municipal building and seized the city for 16 days. Troops sent from Erzurum following the events took back the city and killed Armenians. 2,500 prominent Armenians were arrested in Istanbul upon these events. Several bombs and documents were found at their homes. It should be admitted that intention of Armenian rebel societies are to kill Enver and Talat Pashas in connection with the Triple Entente and to create panic among the Muslims by plotting assassinations with dynamite."

 

Ankara

 

By Erdal Sen
Published: Friday, August 05, 2005
zaman.com