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NICOLAS SARKOZY'S STATEMENT ON ARMENIAN GENOCIDE: ANKARA RETALIATES
Tert.am
17:17 ~U 10.10.11
Ankara has responded to French President Nicolas Sarkozy's statements
on the Armenian Genocide made during his visit to Armenia.
Prof. Kemal Cicek from the Turkish Historical Society published a
document from the US National Archives. The document is evidence of
violence French officers committed against Armenians in 1920s.
The document, published by means of Haberturk, is Cilician Armenians'
letter of complaint to the then US president Woodrow Wilson.
Mushegh Serobian, a clergyman from Izmir, sent that letter to the
American Committee for Armenian Independence. He complained about
the anti-Armenian policy France was pursuing in Adana.
The document, which dates back to Oct. 4, 1920, reads that, after
Turkey signed the Treaty of Sevres, the French army started committing
violence against Armenians. They were hindering the Armenian National
Committee's activities. Over 100,000 Armenians were exiled from Adana
to ensure the local Turkish population's growth. The rest 14,000
Armenians were pressured into leaving. When Armenians refused, French
soldiers threatened them. However, the Armenian National Committee
prevented Armenian massacres.
Prof. Cicek says: "The report mentions Armenians struggling against
Mustafa Kemal Ataturk's troops together with the French. The French
arrived in Cilicia to establish an Armenian kingdom. Later, however,
the French troops aimed their guns at Armenians.
"This document is striking evidence of how Armenians complained about
the French. Throughout history France has made use of Armenians in its
own interests, and the present-day situation is not at all different."
Tert.am
17:17 ~U 10.10.11
Ankara has responded to French President Nicolas Sarkozy's statements
on the Armenian Genocide made during his visit to Armenia.
Prof. Kemal Cicek from the Turkish Historical Society published a
document from the US National Archives. The document is evidence of
violence French officers committed against Armenians in 1920s.
The document, published by means of Haberturk, is Cilician Armenians'
letter of complaint to the then US president Woodrow Wilson.
Mushegh Serobian, a clergyman from Izmir, sent that letter to the
American Committee for Armenian Independence. He complained about
the anti-Armenian policy France was pursuing in Adana.
The document, which dates back to Oct. 4, 1920, reads that, after
Turkey signed the Treaty of Sevres, the French army started committing
violence against Armenians. They were hindering the Armenian National
Committee's activities. Over 100,000 Armenians were exiled from Adana
to ensure the local Turkish population's growth. The rest 14,000
Armenians were pressured into leaving. When Armenians refused, French
soldiers threatened them. However, the Armenian National Committee
prevented Armenian massacres.
Prof. Cicek says: "The report mentions Armenians struggling against
Mustafa Kemal Ataturk's troops together with the French. The French
arrived in Cilicia to establish an Armenian kingdom. Later, however,
the French troops aimed their guns at Armenians.
"This document is striking evidence of how Armenians complained about
the French. Throughout history France has made use of Armenians in its
own interests, and the present-day situation is not at all different."