While Armenians, who were exposed to countless immigration and deportation incidents, do not bring any of these incidents on the agenda, they are attempting to cause a problem under the title of so-called genocide by putting forward the relocation in 1915 that was posed by the Ottoman Empire with justified motives. In fact, the Armenians were exposed to relocations, similar to that one in the past as a result of their betrayals. Sasanis’ deported 70 thousand Armenians to Iran in 379; Byzantine deported 40 thousand Armenians in Eastern Anatolia to Sivas and Kayseri in 1025; Memluks deported 10 thousand Armenians to Egypt in 1250; Iranians deported 24 thousand Armenians to the interior parts of Iran in 1743; and also Russians, who invaded Crimea in 1777 deported thousands of Armenians to steppes. It is a historical fact that Armenians are merely attempting to destroy the integrity of Turkey with the genocide trick.
The support of Western countries, which was a mere spectator to the numerous genocide moves that occurred in Africa and Balkans during the history, to the Armenian lies, is a clear indicator. The relocation was called as a massacre and genocide by the Armenians and the propaganda campaigns opposing Turkey has continued continuously until the present day. The move for relocating the Armenians at the region of Eastern Anatolia to more secure lands in 1915 was a motion intended for the security of the Armenians, contrary to the lies that were presented. There was definitely no intended or planned genocide. So, despite all these reasons, a headache is attempted to be given to Turkey via the genocide evil.
The Diaspora, which gathered all the Armenians abroad under one roof, is in an extensive effort for slandering the image of Turkey all around the World. The Diaspora, which has reached at a position that organizes all the activities of the Armenians in abroad and direct the foreign policy, is attempting to become a center of power in Europe and in particularly at the USA, France, England and Germany. The Armenian Diaspora, which makes activities that can effect the relation of our country with Europe Union, gained strength day by day with the propaganda activities which are directed at recognizing the so-called genocide. When Armenia gained independence, the Diaspora, followed a policy, which attempted to direct the governments of the countries they inhabit with genocide claims. The Armenian institutions have influenced negatively the relations between Turkey and the other countries with the activities they organized for being able to bring their genocide claims and their lobby activities, especially over the USA administration, at the international agenda.
The Armenian Diaspora has determined a broad based strategy aimed at posing the greatest problem to the international relations of Turkey after the year 2000 and introduced their campaign on genocide into the policy of the countries they inhabit. At the present time, there are countries, which attempt to exploit Armenian society politically and economically, as in the past. Memorials are being erected, which accuses Turkey and Turks with so-called genocide in some countries, resolutions aiming the recognition of the so-called genocide, are put forward the Parliaments in some countries, and even in some countries these resolutions are being accepted. These issues, which should in fact, be left to the historians, turns into a tool of interest at the hands of the politicians. The goal of the Armenian terrorism, which involves in the massacres from the day it appeared until the present time, was to voice the so-called Armenian genocide to the World opinion. They have relatively achieved that. The point they desire to reach now is the “Great Armenia” dream.
1881 Ottoman-Russian War was a war, which the Turkish nation was never able to forget and a war which was full of wounds that could not be cured. During the mentioned war, which was called as “’93 War” the Ottoman Empire has also lost its loyal nation, the Armenians. The Armenians cut the supply roads of the Ottoman, which was fighting against the Russians on one hand; on the other, they revolted. The Russians reached at Çatalca by capturing Edirne. The Ottoman Empire had to demand for peace. So Ayastefanos Treaty (Presently Istanbul/ Yesilköy) was signed among the parties.
The Armenian issue had first appeared at international correspondence of the peace treaty, which was signed between the Ottoman Empire and the Russia in 1878 at Ayastefanos (Presently Istanbul/ Yesilköy). Until that date, the reform demands comprised not only a society, but all the Christian subjects. Nevertheless, according to this treaty; the Ottoman Empire had to make reforms at the places, where the Armenians inhabited. The treaty had opened the Balkans and the Eastern corridor for the Russians. This situation had caused the reaction of the European countries and because Russia could not risk a new war, she had to accept a congress that would meet in Berlin. The dispersal of the Ottoman Empire had accelerated with this treaty. If a starting point is required for the Armenian question, then that would be the Ayastefanos Treaty that was signed following the Ottoman-Russian War (1877-78) and the Berlin Conference. The existence of the Ottoman Empire had exceeded for a while with the Berlin Congress, which relived the conditions of the Ayastefanos slightly.
Even though the so-called genocide issue is based on the baseless sources, unfortunately it has been recognized by 18 countries, which wishes to close Turkey’s way at the international arena.
(…) The most extensive activity of the Diaspora, which attempts to spread its genocide lie, is in USA, France, Germany and England. The biggest institution of the Armenian Diaspora in the USA is Armenian Assembly of America (AAA). The prevention of the USA aides for Turkey, sales of arms and supporting Armenia at every issue are the main goals of the Armenian lobby in the USA. France is the second country, where Armenian activities are exercised intensively. Also, France Diaspora managed to pass a bill which criminalizes the ones who express that there is no Armenian genocide and they would be punished with 45 thousand Euro and 5 years of imprisonment even though it is against the European Rights Convention.
When the Ottoman Empire was defeated at the Ottoman-Russian War (1877-1878) and the Russian army came to Ayastefanos, the Armenian Patriarch Nerses Varjabedyan resorted to Russian Commander-in-Chief Grand Duke Nikola and secured including some articles in Armenians favor to the peace treaty that was signed at Ayastefanos. The Ottoman Empire undertook the necessary reforms and arrangements at places where Armenians inhabited with the article 16 of the peace treaty that was signed at Ayastefanos on 3 March 1878. During the Berlin Congress that was led by German Otto von Bismarck, who determined that the gains of Russia was contrary to his interests, Varjabedyan sent a delegation to Berlin at the presidency of Patrick Kirimyan and included the articles of the Ayastefanos Treaty also into the Berlin Treaty. The article 61 of the Berlin Treaty had placed a load on the Ottoman Empire by assigning her the obligation to make reforms at the districts where Armenian population heavily inhabit. With this article Russia, France, Germany and England could sent delegations to various districts of the Ottoman Empire, harsh diplomatic notes, and secured them various advantages. It also helped them to gather information about the Ottoman and to influence the decisions they took. Many incidents that discontented Turkey started to occur since 1894. If they did not have the support of Europe the Armenian question would have never existed.
(…)The Armenian genocide claims will be thought at the courses that would be organized by the schools of Canada/ Toronto. In this context, a course on “Genocide, Rwanda and Armenian Genocide” would be given to student starting from autumn. Reacting to the decision, the Turks at the district have started a signature campaign. One thousand and two hundred people have supported the campaign that was organized by Turkish-Canada Committee by giving their signatures. Lale Eskicioglu, the head of the Committee, warned at the statements which were reflected to Canadian press that the Canadian citizens of Turkish origin would be exposed to the violence of the children, so the decision is wrong. The Canadian Parliament had recognized the Armenian genocide claims in 2002. Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper had also used the expression of “Armenian Genocide”
The Foreign Minister of Denmark Per Stig Moeller stated that they do not recognize the claims which points out that the Ottoman had committed genocide against the Armenians in 1915. Moeller replied the question “If they were recognizing the genocide claims officially or not” of Morten Messerschmidt, who is a member of Parliament from Denmark Peoples Party, which is extreme rightist ally of the liberal-conservative coalition and a member of the Foreign Affairs Commission. Foreign Minister Moeller, who gave a written respond to the member of the Commission stated: “According to the government; this is an issue, which should be left to historians.”
It was stated that the USA Congress, which is has the majority of the Democratic Party members would have to make a choice between pragmatism and keeping principles on the Armenian genocide claims. Los Angeles Times daily pointed out that the expectation for bringing the genocide claims on the agenda of the USA Congress within this year has increased, because of the majority gained by the Democrat Party at the lately elections. Reminding that the Democrats have given messages towards the Armenian society in the USA that the genocide claims would be recognized; the newspaper stated that a high level diplomat of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the following: “We never said that there was no genocide. We just didn’t use that word. Our thoughts on this issue are as following: We have encouraged this argument by not allowing the Turks to say ‘This is a foreign pressure, which is an effective approach.’ ” It was also noted in the article that both Armenian lobby, which adopts this thought and the Democrats favor the use of the word “genocide” by the Washington administration.
European Union demanded us to accept the genocide slander with insolent pressure. Armenian master card was reflected on the reports as an instrument of blackmail. As this was not enough, they suggested us to establish bilateral relations and open the borders.
When the relations between Turkey and the European Union are examined, it can be observed that the Armenian question has always used as a mater card against Ankara. Using this institute as a political tool, the pronunciation of these by authorized officials, including these to official documents and insistence of EU, can never be accepted.
As a matter of fact, this kind of attitude is contrary to current law of EU. In this framework, it is evident that the genocide trouble, which keeps on aching our heads, would be one of the probable obstacles in front of Turkey path to EU. The European Parliament (EP) had taken a decision over the so-called Armenian genocide, which infuriated Turkey on 18 June 1987.
This resolution, which was taken as “The Political Solution of the Armenian Question” has taken its place at the pages of the history as the first significant verdict of the Institution on Turkey. According to the resolution; the incidents that had occurred in the lands of Anatolia during 1915-1917 were characterized as genocide as to 1948 United Nations Convention and also it was indicated that refraining from recognizing it would constitute an obstacle in the way of Turkey. Furthermore, in accordance with the aforementioned resolution, it was also demanded that EU should call Turkey for recognizing the so-called Armenian genocide and entering dialogue with the Armenian representatives.
Following Armenia declared its independence in 1991 and recognized by EU and the diplomatic relations started in 1992, Turkey-Armenia issue was added to this question. The Armenian delegation complained about the negative effects of the blockade that was applied towards Armenia by Turkey at “The EU-Armenia Parliamentarian Cooperation Commission” that was organized in Brussels in 2001.
Following the meeting, the EU members had called Turkey for lifting the blockade. the EU members had otherwise threatened Turkey to present new obstacles in her path to EU membership. Moreover, the EU representatives, who attended the meeting, expressed that they are committed to the resolution on recognizing the so-called Armenian genocide approved by the European Parliament in 1987. Turkey report dated 15 December 2004 of the European Parliament is one of the most shameful resolutions it has approved over the issue. The articles 39, 40 and 41 were demanding the recognition of the so-called Armenian genocide. The Armenian claims and Turkey-Armenia relations were also reflected in the reports of the European Commission. It was also attributed to the resolution of the European Parliament at the declaration of the EU Brussels Summit dated 17 December 2004.
Besides the institutions of the European Union many EU member countries has adopted similar resolutions on the Armenian claims at their parliaments. It is essential to stress how these resolutions could be adopted at the institutions of the European Union. And the starting point should be the Armenian Diaspora in Europe.
(…) The Armenians dared to show Eastern Anatolia as a place belonging to them at a poster that was printed in Yerevan and distributed in Europe. They told a lie by saying 1, 5 million of Armenians were killed in 1915.
The expressions of Pontus and Syrian genocide were first voiced at a report that was accepted at the Foreign Relations Commission for the European Parliament in 2006. Camuel Eurlings, Christian Democrat parliamentarian from Netherlands, stated at his report that Turkey was not ready for EU membership. The report was accepted once it was reinforced with diverse proposals of the Greek parliamentarians. While the acceptance of so-called Armenian genocide was presented as a precondition for Turkey’s membership, it was also demanded to “recognize Pontus and Syrian genocide as well” at the report where 52 parliamentarians voted “Yes”, six parliamentarians voted “No” and 8 parliamentarians had abstained voting. So, the slander for Pontus and Syrian genocide had first entered to the official reports of the EU.
(…) Armenia had blockade European Parliament for including Armenian genocide to the bill. Armenian Foreign Affairs Minister Vartan Oskanyan had underlined the importance of Turkey’s recognition of the so-called Armenian genocide once again during a speech at Foreign Affairs Commission of the European Parliament on October 2007. Oskanyan had called for including genocide at the bill. Three issues went to the fore at Oskanyan’s speech. These are; genocide, opening borders between Armenia-Turkey and the Karabakh question. Oskanyan, who referred to the article 301 relating Turkey’s offer for a commission of mutual historians for discussing 1915 incidents said: “How can we discuss these issues, where there is no freedom of thought and freedom of speech? 1915 incidents are genocide. Those incidents include the definition of the UN Genocide Convention. Recognizing genocide would help Turkey to confront her past. ”
Oskanyan, who stressed that opening of the borders between Turkey and Armenia was extremely important stated the following: “Turkey does not have any reason for not opening of the borders between Turkey and Armenia. Armenia is not in a war with Turkey. Single sided decision for closing the borders cannot be accepted. EU should put pressure on Turkey. This issue should also be dealt at the EP. Armenia is ready for an unconditional dialog with Turkey.”
US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Matthew Bryza indicated that Turkey should develop relations with Armenia. During his visit to Armenia together with the Russian and French co-chairmen, Bryza, who is the co-chairman of the Minsk Group of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in European (OSCE) and who is the mediator at the Karabakh question, which is under the Armenian invasion, attended an international conference on “Greater Black sea: Regional and International Security Perspectives” which was organized by NATO and some local institutions of OSCE in Yerevan. During his speech at the conference Bryza stated that his country’s policy on the Black Sea is creating a co-operation that would include various spheres like economy, energy, and regional security.
One of the most significant issues in this context is the establishment of relations between Turkey and Armenia and opening the borders. Stating that the move in question would strengthen the process of producing mutual projects and economic relations, Bryza noted that the normalizations of the Turkish-Armenian relations has been connected to Upper Karabakh issue.“ Expressing that Turkey has presented some conditions for normalizing her relations with Armenia, however, those conditions are hoped to be lifted by USA, Bryza said: “Armenia is right at her will for not bringing any preconditions forward, but then she should recognize her current borders with Turkey.”
Indicating that USA has called Turkey for not to present any preconditions at the diplomatic relations with Armenia and develop her relations with Armenia without mentioning about a third country like Azerbaijan, Bryza said: “The thought of ‘One nation two governments’ should be changed among the relations of Turkey and Armenia.” Bryza noted: “That change would not occur immediately; it will take some time.”
Romano Prodi, the former Chairman for the EU Commission had stated that the borders between Turkey and Armenia should be opened. During his press conference with Vartan Oskasyan, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Prodi, who had paid a visit to Armenia September 2004, had expressed that the issue of borders could be one of the preconditions for Turkey on EU. Prodi had stated: “I neither like the borders that are closed between Turkey and Armenia nor the lack of diplomatic relations between the mentioned countries.”
The Armenian lobbies are active at the total of 1228 institutions in the USA, where they choose as the center of propaganda. Their goal is to reach their dirty desire of spreading Turkish hostility all over the World.
The Armenians, who immigrated to America, were actively involved in the process, which aimed at directing the USA as the most significant propaganda center of the Diaspora. Accordingly, the race of the Armenians, who became a toy in the hands of the USA, for slandering the Ottoman in the past, has currently turned into a accusation campaign against Turkey. The Armenian ethnical lobby, which is active in the USA, has managed to take out a considerable financial and political support from the US Congress in the last 20 years. The support in question can be considered as following: Approximately 90 million dollars of annual support for Armenia passed a law for preventing support for Azerbaijan, activities for preventing bills, which favors Turkey and for leading the USA to recognize the so-called genocide by the USA administration. The mutual goal of all the Armenian institutions is “Turkish hostility”. The Armenians, who do not have any other strategic feature other than the so-called genocide master card, are attempting to attract the World public opinion with their oppressed identity. 1228 institutions have started to organize effective studies under a single roof entitled Armenian Assembly of America: AAA in the USA, where the Armenian lobby is most influential country. Bryan Ardouny, the executive director of AAA had advocated that recognizing the so-called genocide claims would lift the physiologic obstacles between the Turks and the Armenians.
The leading Armenian lobbying groups in the USA have started a new attempt on the genocide thesis towards the candidates at the pre-election race, which is the first step of the presidency election. In the written statement by the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) it was reported that “The Armenian voters would have crucial role at the pre-elections so question forms were sent to the Democrat and Republican candidates.” Some questions within the form, is as following: Will you characterize Armenian genocide as genocide in your official statements? What are your opinions on Armenian genocide bill? Which steps will you be taking regarding Turkey’s denial of the Armenian genocide? Also, there are questions on Turkey’s attempt for opening borders, Nagorno Karabakh question with Azerbaijan and Armenia-USA relations in the form. It was indicated at the statement that the voters in USA are both the members of Democrat and the Republican Party and Armenians can vote who ever they consider appropriate.
The missionary organizations, which incite Armenians, had brought discord to Anatolia. Because of her geo-political position, Turkey had become a region, where intrigues had occurred. America, which demanded to erase the Ottoman Empire from the scenes of history, had used Armenians, at its intrigues and incited them via its missionaries. Assistant Professor of the International Department of the Faculty of Economy and Administrative Sciences of the Kirikale University Dr. Senol Kantarci, who is known with his studies on the Armenians stated that when the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Mission (ABCFM), the missionary organization in the USA, had sent its first missionaries to Anatolia and when the American Protestant Church had chosen Armenians as the target group, have led the development of the Armenian movement.
Noting that the first seeds of the Armenian question were rooted by this missionary organization in Anatolia, Dr. Kantarci stated the following: “The American missionary organization had reached almost all the cities and villages. They even had entered in each Armenian’s house. None of the organizations could manage to study so extensively. ABCFM had studied study so extensively that it managed to open 624 schools and 436 buildings for religious purposes in Turkey.”
At the same time, stating that America had gained statute of most protected country at the Ottoman Empire with the agreement that was signed on 7 May 1830, Dr. Senol Kantarci, the chief consultant of International Relations and Strategic Analysis Center of Turkey (TÜRKSAM), said: “So, while the merchants from the USA was entering to the Anatolian markets, a business area was opened for the Armenian brokers. When volume of the trade had increased, accordingly, the number of Armenians had also increased. So, a group of wealthy Armenians came out. The group of wealthy Armenians became American citizens. On the other hand, missionaries started to sent Armenian students to America. The young Armenians, who were raised up as extreme Turkish enemies, played an active role at the spread of Turkish hostility to the World.”
The USA had intimidated Ankara by bringing the genocide card on the agenda following an energy agreement was signed and a close relation had developed between Turkey and Iran. The support for Armenia was once again displayed when the Foreign Affairs Committee of the USA House of Representatives adopted the bill on the 1915 incidents. The Armenian bill numbered 106, which were taken up on 10 October 2007; the USA administration was called for recognizing genocide. The support of the Jewish lobby for the bill, which was used as a master card against Turkey for years, called everyone’s attention. At the session, which was headed by Tom Lantos, California Congressman from the Democrat Party, the Foreign Affairs Committee of the USA House of Representatives adopted the bill, which characterized the 1915 incidents as genocide with 27 votes against 21 votes. Priest Karekin, who entered the hall following the bill was adopted, said: “We are relieved after 90 years when bill is adopted.” The voting was also observed by the TBMM delegation headed by Egemen Bagis, from AKP Party, who had gone to Washington to explain Turkey’s thesis against Armenian bill.
Prior the bill was discussed USA President George Bush, USA Minister of Foreign Affairs Condoleezza Rice and Minister of Defense Robert Gates demanded the bill to be rejected because of the possibility of ruining relations with Turkey. Gates and Rice had sent a letter warning the leaders of the House of Representatives that if the bill is passed it would ruin Turkish-American relations. The pressure of Turkey and the administration of USA had resulted positively and the bill was prevented from coming to the general assembly when some congressman withdrew their signature.
Nancy Pelosi, the Head of the House of Representatives, is known as one of the leading passionate defenders and speakers of the Armenian lobby in the Congress. Pelosi, who has deep and strong ties with the Jewish and Armenian lobbies, is the first speaker of Congress in the history of America. Nancy Pelosi, who is 66 and is involved in the active politic for 20 years, is known for her support for the Armenians under the roof of House of Representatives. Pelosi had constantly voiced that USA should adopt the Armenian thesis.
The bill, which suggests Bulgaria to recognize Armenian claims on the 1915 incidents officially and was prepared by deputies of the extreme leftist ATAKA Party in Bulgaria, was once again rejected at the general congress of the parliament. The bill was brought on the agenda for the third time to general assembly of the parliament by the deputies of ATAKA. The bill was rejected at the voting where 173 deputies attended with 63 voted against 50 votes. 60 deputies were abstainers.
Remzi Osman, a deputy of the “Rights and Freedoms Movement” (DPS-HÖH) in which most of the members are Turks, stated that bringing forward this issue is disrespectfulness both to historical facts and to the Parliament. Noting that various similar incidents have occurred in many countries, Osman stated that “incidents should be evaluated according to the period and circumstances it occurred. Reminding that Armenian gangs had organized bloody actions against the Turkish nation and the Turkish army with the incitement of the foreign countries, Osman said: “The decision for relocation was adopted under these circumstances. The evaluation and the judgment of the history is not a duty of a parliament. We should leave history to historians.”
Armenian priest Karekin had consecrated the USA House of Representatives, which adopted the so-called genocide lie on October 2007. The prayer, which is performed every morning at the USA House of Representatives, was performed on the day, when the genocide lie was to be discussed by Armenian Patriarch Karekein II, who is the spiritual leader of 6 million Armenians all over the World. Karekin who exploits religion for politics, has not abstain from defending the bill, which opposed Turkey, during his prayer. Karekin, who smiled at everyone around him, chatted with the citizens, who had experienced the so-called genocide. Nadeam Elshami, Nancy Pelosi’s speaker, claimed that the Patrick’s visit, which overlapped with the bill, was merely a coincidence.
Kasim Akdogan-Yenicag Daily Newspaper-17.01.2008
www.soykirimgercegi.com
