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Letters |
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Of the Slavs and Turks Massacred
by the Greeks
OPEN LETTER From: Dr. Georgios Nakratzas Dear Sir, I was interested to learn from reports in the media that on 9 February 2001 you forwarded for signature to the President of the Republic of Greece a Presidential Decree, in accordance with which 15 September is to be declared the official day commemorating the "Genocide of the Greeks in Asia Minor by the Turks." As Minister of Culture you will, I assume, feel a great respect for the historical truth, and I ask you therefore to permit me to inform you of certain details concerning the Genocide of the Slav-speaking Macedonians of Kilkis committed by the Greek Army in 1913, in addition to certain information on the crimes committed by the Greek Army in Asia Minor during the period 1919-1922 against the civilian Turkish population. The Carnegie Report (ISBN 0-87003-032-9) informs us that the town of Kilkis was occupied, intact, by the Greek Army on 4 July 1913. Having occupied the town, the Greek troops removed the remaining residents and then plundered and burned their houses. The Report also mentions that in addition to the town of Kilkis the Greek Army also put to the torch 40 villages in the region, burning a total of 4,725 houses. Of the total number of 100,000 Slav-speaking Macedonians who were thus obliged to seek refuge in Bulgaria, the Greek cavalry caught up with 4,000 at the village of Akangeli. 60 of the men were taken to a nearby forest and never heard of again. On the following day, according to eye-witness accounts, the Greek soldiers committed murder and rape and stole money. The committee were also given a list of 365 individuals from neighbouring villages believed to have been massacred by the Greek army at the village of Akangeli. Finally, a European eye-witness testified to the committee that on entering the town of Yevyeli the Greeks executed 200 Bulgarian citizens. I do not know if this historical information will prompt you to recommend an additional Presidential Decree concerning the Genocide by the Greek army in 1913 of the Slav-speaking Macedonians of Kilkis. As for the information on the crimes of the Greek army against the civilian Turkish population of Asia Minor during the period 1919-1922, there is insufficient scope in a short letter for a full description of the events involved. I shall confine myself to mentioning in brief the massacre by the Greek army of Turkish civilians at Aidini [Aydin], Menemeni [Menemen] and Pergamum [Bergama]. I shall also mention the slaughter of Turkish prisoners of war in Smyrna on the day the Greek army disembarked in 1919. Finally, I shall mention briefly the burning of thousands of villages in the areas of Eski-Sehir, Uzak [Usak], Kioutaheia [Kutahya], etc., as well as the destruction, robbery or looting of shops and businesses, and the seizing of vast quantities of livestock and grain from Turkish villagers. For more details and eye-witness testimony I recommend that you consult my book, recently published under the title ASIA MINOR AND THE ORIGINS OF THE REFUGEES The imperialist Greek policy of 1922 and the Asia Minor Catastrophe Batavia Publications, Thessaloniki 2000, ISBN 960-85800-6-4 I ask myself if the information you will find in the book will be sufficient to prompt you to recommend the appropriate Presidential Decree. Yours, P.S. For your information, a Turkish translation of
the book mentioned above
As Political Expediency Raises Its Ugly Head October 9, 2002 Dear Governor Pataki: Political expediency has once again raised its ugly head and arrives in the form your Proclamation dated October 6, 2002, in which you sir, like most American politicians, have placated the anti-Turkish groups of our society. Lacking even an infinitesimal knowledge of Turkish history, you sir, with the stroke of a pen, have signed your name to the composition of an aide who has been coached by Armenian and Greek "hate merchants". Once again history has been distorted. The content of "your" Proclamation not only lacks historical accuracy, its venomous allegations defame the honor of a great nation and a God-fearing compassionate people. The author of "your" Proclamation lacks even the simple courtesy of placing the name of a beautiful city, (Izmir), in parenthesis, and refers to it as: "Smyrna"! There are those whom you serve who, while living in the past continue to refer one of the world's most beautiful and historical cities, by its ancient: "Constantinople", instead of what the world recognizes as: Istanbul. If I were to address you sir, as Governor of New Amsterdam, you would consider me insulting or ignorant. If the contents -all the contents- of this correspondence were brought to your attention, for surely it will not be brought to your desk, you would learn that the undersigned is an American born of Armenian and Syrian Orthodox parents, who had been born in, (Ottoman) Turkey and during their lifetime, served as our eye-witness teachers of the events of the First world War. They had suffered the ravages of war but NOT a "genocide"! They suffered equally to that of all the ethnic and religious entities of their homeland. Yet in all their wisdom and respect for the truth, they taught us that for 25 years BEFORE 1915, the Armenians had carried revolution against the land where they had, and continue, to prosper and practice their religion for over six centuries. During the Turkish war of liberation, the Greeks burned the city of Izmir and slaughtered untold thousands of Turkish Muslims. As "your" Proclamation does not mention the brutality of those who profess to be holy Christians, you negate the suffering of the Turks and the irrefutable evidence which reveals the Turkish people were the victims and continue to be! Would you sir, consider preparing a Proclamation commemorating the genocide of ethnic Turks of Cyprus??! The Turkish-American community, as proud productive and loyal citizens of the United States, pays its taxes and casts its ballots for those who seek justice without bias against any group. Our government is deeply concerned about Turkey's support in our actions toward Iraq. Turkey continues to be a staunch ally of our country as heroically revealed in the Korean and Gulf Wars, in Bosnia-Herzegovina, in Kosova, and as a member of the United Nations and NATO. Do you or those who applaud "your" Proclamation, believe the American air bases on Turkish soil will remain "available" to our military?? There is one word in the infamous Proclamation which has confirmed my belief that there was an Armenian ingredient in "your" anti-Turkish Proclamation. The word is: "Assyrian", and used by the Armenians in this country as: "Asorie". This name is used by a separated group from our mother church or ethnicity; this is just one of a multitude of falsehoods in "your" abominable Proclamation. There would be no purpose in presenting here even a few of the historical facts pertaining to the history of the people whom I am proud to serve. If you would welcome the facts, which our media and politicians deny to the American public, then sir, you would become aware of the monumental blunder of "your" Proclamation, which has seriously jeopardized American and Turkish relations. Governor Pataki, our Federation has always urged our community to cast their votes for the candidates who will not be influenced by groups who are more concerned about their own agendas rather than the interests of the United States. Turkish Muslims have vehemently condemned the attacks upon our country, the United States of America. Our community continues to strive for close relations between our freedom-loving nations. As I am well aware of the compassionate Turkish heart, I feel I must conclude with this final TURKISH perspective: we are deeply hurt by you Proclamation. We are obliged to instruct our children who are taught in their schools of a mythical "genocide", and that no such event ever took place in (Ottoman) Turkey. We would welcome a face-to-face with our honorable Governor, so that he could learn more of the humanity of the Turkish people period. Thanking to you Sir, for your time, I extend our best wishes on behalf of our Federation. One Armenian free of hate, Edward Tashji
Turkey’s Eurasian and European Dimensions TO: The Washington Post I am writing in response to "Cyprus and the Clash of Civilizations" By John Sitilides and Paul Glastris from Western Policy Center, published as Op-Ed Commentary in The Washington Post on Friday, August 30, 2002. Authors assert that failure for Turkish and Greek Cypriots to enter in European Union as a united Cyprus will lead to negative consequences for Turkey resulting in revocation of Turkish candidacy for E.U., Muslims around the world would see it as evidence that the West will never grant an Islamic country a place at the table of economic prosperity, and so on. Although, E.U. membership has been a big hype in Turkey, however number of Turks are skeptical about benefits of Turkish membership to E.U. There is a strong argument about Turkey’s staying a Eurasian country rather than a European country. Even if Turkey to becomes a member of EU, there are no guarantees that the Turkish people will be accepted as equals, and they may suffer from wailed discrimination in workplace, business and social life. Before Turkey becomes a member of EU, they should demand better treatment of Turks living in EU. Currently, E.U. and USA have significant political and trade problems. As E.U. continues to strengthen its unification the competition between the two inevitably will intensify while both sides position themselves for control of energy riches from Middle East, Russia and Caspian Sea. World Trade Organization website is full of the examples (i.e. beef war, banana war, steel war, US tax breaks to exporters war). When USA placed tariffs on steel, Turkey was exempt from these tariffs and benefited greatly. Turkey should carefully consider which side would they rather be as this competition intensifies. On the other hand, Turkey has an important strategic partnership with U.S. and Israel. They are working to include Jordan, Azerbaijan and Georgia to this alliance with good results. It would not be surprising to see inclusion of a liberated and democratic Iraq in this alliance. Authors emphasize Turkey as a "Muslim country". Turkey has been a secular country since Ataturk’s reforms. However, it might be news to the authors but Turkey has been under attack and siege by Muslim extremists for decades. Even now, many Muslims view Turkish secularism negatively. Muslim extremists would simply count Turkey as a further loss if she joined E.U. and would not consider Turkey as a "Muslim" country. Lastly, Mr. Gerhard Schroeder won German elections with a very slim majority during which German Turks heavily favored his party. If this election can be a guide to future, Turks will have increasing influence on European politics more so than Greece. Let us not make mistake about what Ataturk advocated for Turkey. He did not advocate becoming a Westerner. He advocated Turks and Turkey to rise above the prevailing civilization. Turks owe it to themselves to be civilized and prosperous. Some think the road to this may go through Brussels or Washington, DC. Like any other country this will be accomplished by Turks developing competitive advantage in whatever they do best and by becoming better manager of their own affairs. Authors inflate the role of Greece in the big game. This is understandable. As Mr. Portakalis said "Megalomania" is a Greek word. Tamer Acikalin, MD, MBA
Inaccurate Pataki Instigates Hatred and Divisiveness Thursday, October 10, 2002 Dear Governor: As a Turkish American, I am terribly offended by your recent proclamation in commemorating the 80th Anniversary of the "fraudulent" Commemoration of the Burning of Smyrna and the Persecution of the Greeks of Asia Minor in the Empire State, and misleadingly portraying an independence war, a genocide. Your proclamation is not only historically inaccurate, but also instigates hatred and divisiveness. You, as the governor of the State of New York, posses unique powers. When used properly they are of a healing and uniting nature, but abused will result in nothing more than fueling flames of hatred. You unfortunately chose the route of instigating hatred rather than healing of the old wounds. Below is a brief historical summary of the end of WWI and the Greek occupation of Turkey, in case you want to refresh your memory, dear Governor. During WWI, Ottomans were German allies. Having lost the war, Ottomans had no choice but to sign the "Mondoros Armistice " in October 1918. By this treaty, Ottoman Empire was technically dissolved. The treaty conditions were as follows: 1.. Bosphorus and Dardandelles (Canakkale) will be
under the control of the Allies In addition to the Greek occupation, there were about 63,000 Allied soldiers (French, Italian and British) in Istanbul and Canakkale. The British controlled the railroads with 5,500 soldiers. The French troops in Adana, Tarsus and Mersin, Urfa, Maras and Antep numbered around 20,000. Italians controlled Antalya, Isparta, Mugla, Soke area with a troop size of 13,500 soldiers. From this point on Greeks started expanding their occupation towards the north, Ayvalik area, and to the east towards Odemis, Nazilli and Tire. The British occupied Antep. And the French co-operated with the Armenians and started placing them in governmental positions in the occupied territories. Turks still vividly recall unspeakable acts of cruelty, brutality, murder and rape under Greek occupation. My own grandfather war murdered by the occupying Greeks, leaving my father an orphan at the age of three with his three sisters. Turks fought a war of independence with no army to speak of, no heavy weapons, no effective telecommunication system, no organization, no money, no technology. The Turks had but one leader, Mustafa Kemal, with a warrant for his arrest and execution, issued by the Ottoman puppets, and they had hope. We fought at every front with the occupying forces with our men, women, our children, relentlessly with our bodies and with our souls, with our antiquated weapons, with our farming tools with our hands, and with our unyielding will to repulse the repulsive. And we succeeded. Your proclamation at best is one sided. It is based on poor research, it is sinister in nature and designed to serve the interests of the Greek community while trampling all over the truth and the people of New York of Turkish heritage. Dear Governor, having supported you and having donated to your campaign last election and this election, I feel betrayed. The very least you could have done before your proclamation was to check the historical accuracy of what you were about to say. You didn't. Very, very disappointed,
Turning Talk Into Action Many of you who know me or of me are aware that I have been involved with the Turkish American community for many years. I do these things because of personal satisfaction, personal interest and personal honor as well as the honor of Turks everywhere. When I see seedling of ideas grown into trees by other ethnic groups, even though it discourages me and I get upset, it also reinforces my personal beliefs that as Turks, as Turkish Americans we need to do more on a personal basis. We should not expect others to do our work for us; we should not ask others to donate when we should be donating whether it is money or time and energy. Do not make the mistake of not donating because in your eyes it is a small amount. Always remember that it is a drop that spills the bucket. Get involved within your local communities and I cannot stress enough the importance of this. There are so many things that could be done within our own communities from helping the PTA where our children go to school to helping at some of the local charities that constantly are need of help. By helping, by becoming involved within our communities, not only we are able to let others know what and who Turks, Turkish Americans are, but it is also an experience for us, a way of learning from others and applying these ideas within our own Turkish American community. For many years, I have donated books on Turkey to the local libraries. Many of these books were lost, never borrowed or defaced. Not only it was an expense I was not getting a return on but also the books ended up being sold at the "Buck-a-bag" sale within a short period of time. A couple of years ago, I asked the local librarian what book I could donate and whether she would place in the books a bookplate that read: "This book is donated by Daughters of Ataturk." She suggested a bestseller and gave me the title. I donated the book to the library and the bookplate was placed in the book. A few months later, I met a woman at a local meeting. When I introduced myself and gave her my business card, she remembered Daughters of Ataturk and told me she read the book I had donated. Perhaps this is a drop in the bucket but it worked. I plan to follow this annually on April 23 because it is Turkish Children's and Sovereignty Day as well as United Nations' Book Day. I read the local newspapers thoroughly and try to go to local meetings, meet local politicians, local businessmen and each time I introduce myself as a Turkish American. It always comes as a surprise to me as how many people have no idea who or what Turks are, where Turkey is, what our language is, etc. I go to other women's organizations meetings and always take "something Turkish" with me. I always keep Turkish lokum, Turkish preserves such as quince jam or sour cherry jam to take to these meetings. People are delighted. They are surprised that our jam bottles or packaging look just like theirs. We must not be from the moon then. Recently I saw an article in our local newspaper that the local business association was planning to publish a cookbook and was soliciting recipes from the residents. I submitted some Turkish recipes with titles such as Turkish Parfait (Muhallebi), Turkish Harvest Desert (Kabak Tatlisi) and four of my recipes were accepted and published. During the cocktail party that followed to introduce the book, the association asked me to bring one of the dishes. As it is pumpkin time, I took Kabak Tatlisi and it was hit of the evening. What I am trying to say is that it does not take much to get involved within our communities and make a difference. So, let's roll. Sema KaraogluDaughters of Ataturk www.DofA.org |