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Switzerland vs. Turkish Academician: 'No Freedom of Speech in Switzerland'
View: Dr. Nilgun GULCAN
Journal of Turkish Weekly
May 4 2005
Turkey and Armenia has serious historical disputes regarding the
1915 Relocation Laws, ethnic conflicts, border issues and Armenian
occupation in Azerbaijan. Turkish Prime Minister has called the
Armenian President to establish a joint commission to discuss the
historical disputes. Not only Turkish PM, but also many other Turkish
politicians and diplomats have called the Armenians for a more peaceful
methods to find solutions. However Armenian side has frequently
rejected the Turkish offers. Armenian Foreign Minister Oskanian
repeatedly said "no need to discuss anything. Because everything
is clear and need nothing to discuss". The Armenian diaspora, the
Tashnaks in particular, is totally against any dialogue with the
Turks. They consider dialogue between Turks and Armenians would be
betraying to the 'Armenian national case'.
Turkey has experiencing a hot debate on the Armenian historical
claims. Though their number is very little, there are pro-Armenian
academicians and authors in Turkey. In addition, 100,000 Turkish
Armenians have also joined the debates. Almost all pro-Armenian
books have been published by the Turkish publishers, and Turkish TV
and radio channels opened their programs to Armenian politicians and
experts. Turkish national parliament made many sessions to discuss
the Armenian allegations. Turkish official archives including the
Army Archives were opened to researchers and historians from all
nationalities with no limitations. Turkish Government allowed the
Armenian planes to flight Turkish cities and took all possible steps
to normalize relations with Armenia. However not only Armenia, but also
'Europeans' do not help enough to the Turkish efforts:
First French parliament took a decision which officially accepted
the Armenian historical claims as truth. According to the French
decision the 1915 Relocation Operations was genocide. The French
parliamentarians did not touch how many Turks were killed by the armed
Armenians and simply ignored the Turkish approach. According to Turkish
side 1915 relocation decision was taken after the Armenian riots
and when Armenians in the eastern province joined the Russian Army
against the Ottoman State. Turks argue that most of the Armenians
died due to epidemic and famine. Turkey does not deny that many
Armenians were killed by the Turks and Kurds, however Turkey says
the reason is not racism as experienced in Germany, France and many
more European states, but ethnic clashes. Both sides were armed,
and the reason in many clashes was not only ethnic hatred but also
economic gains. The Kurdish gangs in particular attacked the Armenian
villages and looted the Armenian houses. The Ottoman soldiers could not
protect many Armenian families. However nobody could accuse the Ottoman
Army. The country was under attack: The French and British attacked
the Gallipoli, the Russians were occupying the Eastern provinces and
the British again attacking from the south. Worst of all the Armenian
citizens were joining the Russians in the east. Thus the Istanbul
Government decided to relocate the Armenians from East to Southern
provinces which is far away from the war theatres. Armenians call this
decision as a "start of genocide campaign". As a matter of fact that
they never used 'genocide' term until the 1965 demonstrations. They
simply arguing during the First World war that they were part of
the war and they deserved a separate state. Sevres Treaty granted
them a independent state, but the Lausanne Treaty they lost all the
gaining. The Armenian Delegation in the Lausanne Negotiations argued
that "the Armenians fought against the Turks. We are part of this war
and we should be included the negotiations". In brief the Armenians
confessed that they fought against the Ottoman State. Their demand
was refused but the Armenian militants started a terrorism campaign
and killed most significant former Ottoman ministers. In 19165
the Armenian ultranationalists re-fabricated Armenian nationalism
on anti-Turkish ideas. They produced a 'genocide legacy'. They
followed Jewish example. They thought the Armenians could gain more
territories, billion-dollars-compensations and of course an independent
state. The new Armenian campaign was established on 'genocide legacy'
and the legacy became a reality in the next generations. The legacy
created its own industry. New Armenian diaspora institutions were
established for the legacy, and the legacy became the single most
important cementing the Armenians in diaspora. In the post-1965 the
diaspora did not want to find a solution, but the problem was itself
a solution for the diaspora. During the Armenian terrorism of 1970s
and 80s more than 40 Turkish diplomats and many more civilians were
killed by the Armenian terrorists. French Government saw the Armenian
terrorists as freedom-fighter and showed a great tolerance. Almost
no terrorists were captured by the French security forces. Similarly
Armenian terrorism found a secure home in Greece and in Russia. Turkish
Government protested all these countries for their clear support to
terrorism. When the Armenian terrorists targeted the French and other
Western institutions Armenian terrorism was ended immediately. The
Armenian lobbying campaigns in the national parliaments replaced
the terrorism. Armenian parliamentarians with their supporters tried
to prevent any co-operation with Turkish Government and any aid to
Turkey. The diaspora saw any harm they gave to Turkey was an Armenian
gain. The 2001 French Decision to recognize Armenian allegations as
truth was a result of this campaign.
Switzerland cantons and Canada followed the French. In the latest
step in this process, Switzerland authorities opened a legal
procedure against Turkish Institute of History (TTK) Chairman Prof.
Dr. Yusuf Halacoglu about his statement on Armenian allegations.
Prof. Halacoglu, like me, does not accept the Armenian claims.
According to Halacoglu not Turks but the Armenians committed massacres
and genocide-like attacks against civilian Turkish and other Muslim
population during the Ottoman period. The Swiss Government and
Parliement were criticizing Turkey for its attitude regarding the
freedom of speech. Swiss politicians in the past were arguing that all
could say anything they think. But now, they even cannot bear different
ideas. They even try to stop Turkish academicians to speak. Halacoglu
cannot understand the so-called European measures to silence him:
"They tried Galileo, but the world continued to turn... It is
not possible to understand how countries like France, Belgium, and
Switzerland could have moves to forbid the expression of rejection of
the Armenian genocide. What sort of democracy, what sort of freedom
of thought is this?" Halacoglu says.
The game is getting dirtier. Armenian diaspora manipulates the Western
public opinion and the racist and anti-Turks of the European countries
abuse the Armenian issue. However they do not know that they undermine
the European ideas and their own national interests. All know that
neither Armenians nor the 'pro-Armenian anti-Turkish politicians'
are sincere. None of them seeks a real solution but continuity of
the problem. On the other hand Armenia and Turkey pay the bill.
View: Dr. Nilgun GULCAN
Journal of Turkish Weekly
May 4 2005
Turkey and Armenia has serious historical disputes regarding the
1915 Relocation Laws, ethnic conflicts, border issues and Armenian
occupation in Azerbaijan. Turkish Prime Minister has called the
Armenian President to establish a joint commission to discuss the
historical disputes. Not only Turkish PM, but also many other Turkish
politicians and diplomats have called the Armenians for a more peaceful
methods to find solutions. However Armenian side has frequently
rejected the Turkish offers. Armenian Foreign Minister Oskanian
repeatedly said "no need to discuss anything. Because everything
is clear and need nothing to discuss". The Armenian diaspora, the
Tashnaks in particular, is totally against any dialogue with the
Turks. They consider dialogue between Turks and Armenians would be
betraying to the 'Armenian national case'.
Turkey has experiencing a hot debate on the Armenian historical
claims. Though their number is very little, there are pro-Armenian
academicians and authors in Turkey. In addition, 100,000 Turkish
Armenians have also joined the debates. Almost all pro-Armenian
books have been published by the Turkish publishers, and Turkish TV
and radio channels opened their programs to Armenian politicians and
experts. Turkish national parliament made many sessions to discuss
the Armenian allegations. Turkish official archives including the
Army Archives were opened to researchers and historians from all
nationalities with no limitations. Turkish Government allowed the
Armenian planes to flight Turkish cities and took all possible steps
to normalize relations with Armenia. However not only Armenia, but also
'Europeans' do not help enough to the Turkish efforts:
First French parliament took a decision which officially accepted
the Armenian historical claims as truth. According to the French
decision the 1915 Relocation Operations was genocide. The French
parliamentarians did not touch how many Turks were killed by the armed
Armenians and simply ignored the Turkish approach. According to Turkish
side 1915 relocation decision was taken after the Armenian riots
and when Armenians in the eastern province joined the Russian Army
against the Ottoman State. Turks argue that most of the Armenians
died due to epidemic and famine. Turkey does not deny that many
Armenians were killed by the Turks and Kurds, however Turkey says
the reason is not racism as experienced in Germany, France and many
more European states, but ethnic clashes. Both sides were armed,
and the reason in many clashes was not only ethnic hatred but also
economic gains. The Kurdish gangs in particular attacked the Armenian
villages and looted the Armenian houses. The Ottoman soldiers could not
protect many Armenian families. However nobody could accuse the Ottoman
Army. The country was under attack: The French and British attacked
the Gallipoli, the Russians were occupying the Eastern provinces and
the British again attacking from the south. Worst of all the Armenian
citizens were joining the Russians in the east. Thus the Istanbul
Government decided to relocate the Armenians from East to Southern
provinces which is far away from the war theatres. Armenians call this
decision as a "start of genocide campaign". As a matter of fact that
they never used 'genocide' term until the 1965 demonstrations. They
simply arguing during the First World war that they were part of
the war and they deserved a separate state. Sevres Treaty granted
them a independent state, but the Lausanne Treaty they lost all the
gaining. The Armenian Delegation in the Lausanne Negotiations argued
that "the Armenians fought against the Turks. We are part of this war
and we should be included the negotiations". In brief the Armenians
confessed that they fought against the Ottoman State. Their demand
was refused but the Armenian militants started a terrorism campaign
and killed most significant former Ottoman ministers. In 19165
the Armenian ultranationalists re-fabricated Armenian nationalism
on anti-Turkish ideas. They produced a 'genocide legacy'. They
followed Jewish example. They thought the Armenians could gain more
territories, billion-dollars-compensations and of course an independent
state. The new Armenian campaign was established on 'genocide legacy'
and the legacy became a reality in the next generations. The legacy
created its own industry. New Armenian diaspora institutions were
established for the legacy, and the legacy became the single most
important cementing the Armenians in diaspora. In the post-1965 the
diaspora did not want to find a solution, but the problem was itself
a solution for the diaspora. During the Armenian terrorism of 1970s
and 80s more than 40 Turkish diplomats and many more civilians were
killed by the Armenian terrorists. French Government saw the Armenian
terrorists as freedom-fighter and showed a great tolerance. Almost
no terrorists were captured by the French security forces. Similarly
Armenian terrorism found a secure home in Greece and in Russia. Turkish
Government protested all these countries for their clear support to
terrorism. When the Armenian terrorists targeted the French and other
Western institutions Armenian terrorism was ended immediately. The
Armenian lobbying campaigns in the national parliaments replaced
the terrorism. Armenian parliamentarians with their supporters tried
to prevent any co-operation with Turkish Government and any aid to
Turkey. The diaspora saw any harm they gave to Turkey was an Armenian
gain. The 2001 French Decision to recognize Armenian allegations as
truth was a result of this campaign.
Switzerland cantons and Canada followed the French. In the latest
step in this process, Switzerland authorities opened a legal
procedure against Turkish Institute of History (TTK) Chairman Prof.
Dr. Yusuf Halacoglu about his statement on Armenian allegations.
Prof. Halacoglu, like me, does not accept the Armenian claims.
According to Halacoglu not Turks but the Armenians committed massacres
and genocide-like attacks against civilian Turkish and other Muslim
population during the Ottoman period. The Swiss Government and
Parliement were criticizing Turkey for its attitude regarding the
freedom of speech. Swiss politicians in the past were arguing that all
could say anything they think. But now, they even cannot bear different
ideas. They even try to stop Turkish academicians to speak. Halacoglu
cannot understand the so-called European measures to silence him:
"They tried Galileo, but the world continued to turn... It is
not possible to understand how countries like France, Belgium, and
Switzerland could have moves to forbid the expression of rejection of
the Armenian genocide. What sort of democracy, what sort of freedom
of thought is this?" Halacoglu says.
The game is getting dirtier. Armenian diaspora manipulates the Western
public opinion and the racist and anti-Turks of the European countries
abuse the Armenian issue. However they do not know that they undermine
the European ideas and their own national interests. All know that
neither Armenians nor the 'pro-Armenian anti-Turkish politicians'
are sincere. None of them seeks a real solution but continuity of
the problem. On the other hand Armenia and Turkey pay the bill.