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Today's Zaman, Turkey
Nov 4 2012
`Adnan Menderes not initiator of 1955 pogrom'
4 November 2012 / HÃ`SEYÄ°N KELEÅ? , Ä°STANBUL
A witness of the Sept. 6-7, 1955 pogrom against non-Muslims in
Ä°stanbul has shared his memories of the circumstances surrounding the
violence, saying that Adnan Menderes, a former prime minister who was
executed by a junta that came to power in the1960 coup d'état, was not
the one responsible for the bloodshed as is sometimes claimed.
Mıgır Bilir, 86, is a former athlete who is of Armenian origin. He has
been living in Argentina for more than 50 years and is one of the
aggrieved people of the 1955 pogroms when many bloody provocations in
Turkey targeted non-Muslims. He shared the same destiny with many
Armenian and Rum people (Greeks who live on Turkish soil) when his
storehouse was looted in Ä°stanbul's Eminönü district.
Now, Bilir has returned to Turkey for the second time after a visit in
1970 and shared his memories of the pogrom with Sunday's Zaman.
`I heard that my country has developed in terms of liberty, which made
me very happy. I felt terrible when I had to leave my country since I
was born and grew up here, collecting many memories, sometimes good
and sometimes bad.' Bilir had many difficulties after he was obliged
to leave Turkey. `After going to Germany, France and Brazil, I finally
settled down in Argentina,' Bilir said.
On the day of the pogrom, Bilir was unaware of what was happening
until he turned on the television. `I found my storehouse had been
looted when I went there after I saw the news about the pogrom on
television. All of the workplaces were in a terrible situation like a
battle zone. We did not know what to do in that situation. I still
remember those days with great grief.'
Bilir further stated that he does not hold Muslims responsible for the
pogrom, saying that he tells people proudly that he is from Turkey.
`All of my close friends are Muslims, and I know those bloody actions
against us were not at the hands of Muslims. I don't have any
resentment against anyone in this country,' added Bilir.
Adnan Menderes -- the prime minister at the time of the May 27, 1960
coup d'état who was hanged along with two of his ministers by the
junta after the military intervention -- was seen as the person
responsible for the incidents that took place in 1955. Menderes has
been accused of having full knowledge of the events as they were
planned but not taking any measures to prevent the attacks on
non-Muslims. The workplaces belonging to non-Muslims were marked by
unknown people and looted according to those marks during the pogrom.
According to court records, 4,214 residences, 1,004 shops, 73
churches, one synagogue, two monasteries, 26 schools and 5,317 other
buildings including factories, hotels, bars and such were attacked in
Ä°stanbul. Martial law was declared at night in an attempt to quell the
unrest, though in some areas the attacks continued for several days.
Some of the perpetrators were arrested and prosecuted in closed
military trials, but many suspects had been released by the end of
1956.
Bilir strongly denied the accusations against Menderes, saying that
Menderes greatly valued minorities. `The Republican People's Party
[CHP] and Ä°smet Ä°nönü provoked people in a way at that time. They
plotted against Menderes with the countless television and radio
broadcasts. When I heard about Menderes' situation after the coup
d'état I felt terribly sorry for him. All the Armenians like me had to
leave our country due to excessive pressure on us exerted by Ä°nönü and
the CHP.'
With the help of a dialogue foundation in Argentina he found the place
where he was born in Ordu and found his cousin there. `When I saw him
I burst into tears, we talked about our good memories. I will never
forget my 25-day visit in Turkey. I hope to visit my country or settle
permanently here again before I die,' Bilir added.
Bilir didn't lose connection with Turkey thanks to Turkish schools
Recognized internationally for their success and the quality of
education they provide, Turkish schools have been opened abroad by
volunteer teachers in more than 100 countries. Bilir described meeting
the Turkish teachers as one of the milestones in his life. `I came
across the Turkish teachers, who were in Argentina to open a new
school, at the Turkish Embassy eight years ago. We helped them in
learning the language of the country and hosted them in our homes
until they found a place to live. We became close friends over time.
Every week, Turkish people hold meetings at the cultural center with
Armenians who migrated to Argentina from Turkey.'
Turkish schools came into prominence in Argentina like in other
countries due to their successful programs. Bilir stated that the
education level in Turkish schools is higher then in the other schools
in Argentina. `Many top executives enroll their children in Turkish
schools due to their devoted teachers and modern education facilities.
I suggest all people send their children to these schools,' added
Bilir.
http://www.todayszaman.com/news-297046-adnan-menderes-not-initiator-of-1955-pogrom.html
Nov 4 2012
`Adnan Menderes not initiator of 1955 pogrom'
4 November 2012 / HÃ`SEYÄ°N KELEÅ? , Ä°STANBUL
A witness of the Sept. 6-7, 1955 pogrom against non-Muslims in
Ä°stanbul has shared his memories of the circumstances surrounding the
violence, saying that Adnan Menderes, a former prime minister who was
executed by a junta that came to power in the1960 coup d'état, was not
the one responsible for the bloodshed as is sometimes claimed.
Mıgır Bilir, 86, is a former athlete who is of Armenian origin. He has
been living in Argentina for more than 50 years and is one of the
aggrieved people of the 1955 pogroms when many bloody provocations in
Turkey targeted non-Muslims. He shared the same destiny with many
Armenian and Rum people (Greeks who live on Turkish soil) when his
storehouse was looted in Ä°stanbul's Eminönü district.
Now, Bilir has returned to Turkey for the second time after a visit in
1970 and shared his memories of the pogrom with Sunday's Zaman.
`I heard that my country has developed in terms of liberty, which made
me very happy. I felt terrible when I had to leave my country since I
was born and grew up here, collecting many memories, sometimes good
and sometimes bad.' Bilir had many difficulties after he was obliged
to leave Turkey. `After going to Germany, France and Brazil, I finally
settled down in Argentina,' Bilir said.
On the day of the pogrom, Bilir was unaware of what was happening
until he turned on the television. `I found my storehouse had been
looted when I went there after I saw the news about the pogrom on
television. All of the workplaces were in a terrible situation like a
battle zone. We did not know what to do in that situation. I still
remember those days with great grief.'
Bilir further stated that he does not hold Muslims responsible for the
pogrom, saying that he tells people proudly that he is from Turkey.
`All of my close friends are Muslims, and I know those bloody actions
against us were not at the hands of Muslims. I don't have any
resentment against anyone in this country,' added Bilir.
Adnan Menderes -- the prime minister at the time of the May 27, 1960
coup d'état who was hanged along with two of his ministers by the
junta after the military intervention -- was seen as the person
responsible for the incidents that took place in 1955. Menderes has
been accused of having full knowledge of the events as they were
planned but not taking any measures to prevent the attacks on
non-Muslims. The workplaces belonging to non-Muslims were marked by
unknown people and looted according to those marks during the pogrom.
According to court records, 4,214 residences, 1,004 shops, 73
churches, one synagogue, two monasteries, 26 schools and 5,317 other
buildings including factories, hotels, bars and such were attacked in
Ä°stanbul. Martial law was declared at night in an attempt to quell the
unrest, though in some areas the attacks continued for several days.
Some of the perpetrators were arrested and prosecuted in closed
military trials, but many suspects had been released by the end of
1956.
Bilir strongly denied the accusations against Menderes, saying that
Menderes greatly valued minorities. `The Republican People's Party
[CHP] and Ä°smet Ä°nönü provoked people in a way at that time. They
plotted against Menderes with the countless television and radio
broadcasts. When I heard about Menderes' situation after the coup
d'état I felt terribly sorry for him. All the Armenians like me had to
leave our country due to excessive pressure on us exerted by Ä°nönü and
the CHP.'
With the help of a dialogue foundation in Argentina he found the place
where he was born in Ordu and found his cousin there. `When I saw him
I burst into tears, we talked about our good memories. I will never
forget my 25-day visit in Turkey. I hope to visit my country or settle
permanently here again before I die,' Bilir added.
Bilir didn't lose connection with Turkey thanks to Turkish schools
Recognized internationally for their success and the quality of
education they provide, Turkish schools have been opened abroad by
volunteer teachers in more than 100 countries. Bilir described meeting
the Turkish teachers as one of the milestones in his life. `I came
across the Turkish teachers, who were in Argentina to open a new
school, at the Turkish Embassy eight years ago. We helped them in
learning the language of the country and hosted them in our homes
until they found a place to live. We became close friends over time.
Every week, Turkish people hold meetings at the cultural center with
Armenians who migrated to Argentina from Turkey.'
Turkish schools came into prominence in Argentina like in other
countries due to their successful programs. Bilir stated that the
education level in Turkish schools is higher then in the other schools
in Argentina. `Many top executives enroll their children in Turkish
schools due to their devoted teachers and modern education facilities.
I suggest all people send their children to these schools,' added
Bilir.
http://www.todayszaman.com/news-297046-adnan-menderes-not-initiator-of-1955-pogrom.html