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Letter From Justin McCarthy to Turkish Daily News
Dear Editor,
I thank you for your coverage of my recent speech in Istanbul. Unfortunately, one word in your article, "propaganda," has caused some misunderstanding. The article stated that I recommended that the Turkish government improve its propaganda. As it is understood in America, the word propaganda has the connotation of lies -- the opposite of what I advocated. What I said in the speech was:
"My suggestion is very simple -- defeat the lies with the truth. Start to produce the materials that are needed to counter the lies. Flood the libraries of America and Europe with truthful history -- so much good history that it cannot be ignored. What are needed are books, articles, magazines. It would be better if these were funded by private organizations -- by foundations in Turkey, America, Germany. And it is necessary that many of them be in European languages and published in Europe and America. Do not only concentrate on the type of learned books usually written by professors. Concentrate on books for the public. Especially concentrate on materials for school children and teachers."
I did mention government publications in the question period, stating that they might be improved, but I never suggested or intended that the Turkish government lie. Indeed, there is no need for the Turkish government or anyone else to lie in opposing the so-called "Armenian Genocide." Truthful history is enough.
I know the Turkish Daily News and its reporter understood that I was not advocating government lies, but Armenian nationalists in America have now written to me, and to every official in my university, saying that I am advising Turks to lie, and that I should be punished. My university knows that I would never do such a thing. I also want the readers of the Turkish Daily News, including Armenian nationalists to know that I would never lie or advise others to lie about history.
Sincerely,
Justin McCarthy
Professor of History
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