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An Unwarranted Slur on a Valuable Ally
"Turkey is a shining example for Iraq"
TO: The Washington Post
Gour editorial attack on Turkey ("Double
Talk on Democracy," October 6, 2002) was an unwarranted
slur on a valuable ally that reflected a very superficial understanding
of Turkish political realities.
Turkey is, in fact, a "shining example"
for Iraq, and is undiminished by the strong role of its military.
More than once, the military prevented the subversion
and collapse of democracy when it was under threat by inept
populists and subversives who didn’t hesitate to exploit
religion shamelessly.
Where but in Turkey has the military repeatedly
handed power back to civilian governments as soon as democratic
institutions were secure? Generals may have made errors and been
heavy-handed at times, but they deserve better than your supercilious
condemnation. The U.S-Turkish military alliance is ill-served
by back-handed comparisons to American support for autocratic
regimes elsewhere. It has been, and remains, a publicly recognized
pillar of Turkish democracy.
As for Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s banning from
political participation, he was convicted of using religion
to foment civil unrest and deemed unworthy to hold public office.
This decision may violate New York’s liberal sentiments,
but Ankara should be applauded, not kicked, for sustaining the
rule of law.
Erdogan may be popular, but General MacArthur
was also before President Truman fired him – and so was
Hitler.
Yours,
Albert Nekimken
Virginia
Gov Pataki: You Are Sadly Misinformed
"You should be ashamed of yourself for re-kindling and instigating
ethnic animosities between your constituents of Greek and Turkish
heritage"
The Honorable George Pataki , The Governor of
New York Executive Chamber
State Capitol Albany, NY 12224
Dear Sir:
You are sadly misinformed to malign Turks and
the Turkish government of 1922 as "lurid"..."Satanic"...[and]
"shameful" in the proclamation that you issued on October 06,
2002
The Greek population in Turkey during 1918-1919
was celebrating the Allies' victory in World War I by killing
and pillaging the Turkish population in Izmir. The Greeks were
anticipating that Izmir would become part of Greece as a spoil
of victory. Because of the outstanding achievements of a genius
soldier/statesman, Kemal Ataturk, events did not happen as the
Greeks had anticipated. What happened in 1922 was a tragedy
because many lives were lost during Turkey's struggle for independence.
However, it was not a tragedy that was started by Turks nor
was it a tragedy that was caused by Turks.
You, as governor of all the people in the State
of New York, have denigrated and diminished your office by issuing
the defamatory, absolutely false, and one-sided Proclamation
of October 06, 2002. You should be ashamed of yourself for re-kindling
and instigating ethnic animosities between your constituents
of Greek and Turkish heritage.
Respectfully submitted,
John Ozlu
Rockville, MD
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