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Armenian, Assyrian and Hellenic Genocide News
Archives are not Open
by TURKISH Daily News
Posted: Sunday, October 08, 2000 08:57 pm CST
Famous names supporting Turkey's case in the Armenian problem appeared on CNN Turk's Manset program yesterday and pointed out some hurtful truths -- despite all the Turkish propaganda, the Ottoman archives are not totally open and there are various obstacles being raised
Archives are not open
Comments and Analysis
Opinion by Mehmet Ali Birand
When it comes to the Armenian issue, we are always finding out the facts too late. We have lived for years as if nothing of consequence ever happened between us and the Armenians. Official textbooks teach that it was the Armenians who carved us up all the time.
When the Armenian Secret Army for the Liberation of Armenia (ASALA) murders came to light, everything changed. We learned of different incidents. The official line became that because of war, we had massacred each other.
While defending our actions in recent years, we proudly opened up the Ottoman archives inviting all to come in and research to their hearts' content and see that there was no genocide.
The public was convinced.
Many Turkish speakers, including me, gave lively speeches at conferences and said, "Our archives are open, come and see for yourselves."
Apparently this is not true after all.
Yes, the doors to our archives are open and people can enter freely. However, it is from this point onwards that the problems start.
The treatment you receive is entirely dependent upon who you are, where you come from and what you have written in the past. Priority is given to experts who support the Turkish line. Suspicious characters are battered by an array of bureaucratic obstacles. You can be a strong supporter of the Turkish line yet you will be caught up in red tape and made to regret it all.
Throughout the world today, nobody really believes that the Turkish archives are as open as is being suggested.
All the experts who appeared on Wednesday's Manset program -- including the American Justin McCarthy and the Frenchman Eric Rouleau, as well as Stanford Shaw and Heath Lowry, with whom I spoke personally -- all these people who support the Turkish view voiced the same opinion:
Why?
Why are you afraid? Is there something you are trying to hide?
Why are you deceiving yourselves?
Why are you trying to deceive the world?
Let us either keep them sealed or open them up honestly according to international rules.
Let us not resort to oriental cunning.
There is a reason for my using such strong terms.
I do not want our children, our grandchildren or future generations to live in shame because of this ineptitude.
We have been so lazy for so many years. We have not taken the trouble to prove our innocence. We are now blaming others. We are trying to get our own way by threatening and blackmailing those around us.
Retired Ambassador Yalim Eralp touched on an important point during the Manset program I talked about. "Economic embargoes and canceling contracts will have no effect. Furthermore, it will create the impression that we are guilty, that these are the only weapons at our disposal and that we have been left with no choice but to use them. Yet, there is nothing to be ashamed of in our history," he said.
Speaking of more effective measures...
There are other points Yalim Eralp touched on while listing the short-term measures and I would like to repeat them.
Let us import Turkmen natural gas through Iran and pretend we do not hear the objections raised by the United States.
(This is a far more realistic and effective measure seeing that we cannot in fact restrict U.S. operations at Incirlik Air Base).
When firms belonging to countries that have supported the Armenian resolution take part in state tenders, let the government stipulate that their parliaments have to reject the resolution in order to win the tender.
(More logical than simply cancelling the contract).
Let us get used to living with this argument.
I want to touch on two more points.
- The Turkish press is publishing headlines saying, "U.S. government supports Armenian resolution," "United States not friendly after all" and "Even France has sold us out." The public blames the government. The press should be more particular from now on. It should distinguish governments from their parliaments. They should not escalate the affair out of all proportion.
- This argument will continue for a long time yet. The Armenians have been reaping the benefits of their influence for many years now. They have worked well and now they are reaping the harvest. They have asked others to work on their behalf and Turkey has just watched. But Turkey has seen that things can no longer continue in this vein. A long period of resistance is beginning. Let us get used to living with these Armenian resolutions. Let us not burn our bridges. And let us prove we are right.
Mehmet Ali Birand's article is translated by TDN staff
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