Tall Armenian Tale

 

The Other Side of the Falsified Genocide

 

  Commentary by Edward Tashji   
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Mahmut Ozan
Edward Tashji
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It's tragic how many Armenians are so blinded by hatred that they prefer to live in the past, and deny themselves the joys of their roots. Not all Armenians are like that. Some Armenians prefer concentrating on their emotional attachments to the old country. These Armenians know Turkish music, food and language form as much a part of their identities as anything else, and don't appreciate being ostracized by the larger, more hateful Armenian group. They feel they are robbed of their precious past and cherished memories, and resent the domineering attitude of the other group.

I'm a big fan of Edward Tashji, who has the guts and the love to come right out and declare where he stands. In his own words, this "Armenian-American has become 'famous,' (he said with all humility), within the Turkish community, while becoming "infamous", (he said with deep regret), within the Armenian community." Also, in his words... he is : "An American born of an Armenian mother and a Syrian-Orthodox father (.) He is the younger son of parents who had been born in Ottoman Turkey, became eye-witness to the conflagration of the First World War in their beloved homeland, and as a result, their destiny brought them to the land where millions had emigrated."

 

 
A “Friend of Turks”

Article I: Introduction

The readers of the Turkish Times have read, through the span of several years, numerous articles written about and by this writer. Those who might remember — and for the information of the readers who do not — we have a most unique contributor who has devoted a lifetime of love and effort on behalf of a people and a nation not of his national origin. This “Friend of Turks,” who in all reality, considers himself a humble servant of his cultural and historical brothers and sisters — the people of Turkey.

The purpose of our offering here is not to measure or define the extent of his love and his tireless labors in support of a nation about which most Americans remain regrettably ignorant — The Republic of Turkey. As is indicated above, Article I suggests that other articles will follow; and Introduction, denotes its obvious definition. I have been honored and privileged by this newspaper to offer the readers of this publication my perspectives and many (too many I am afraid), years of experiences pertaining to a most contentious subject, namely, Turkish-Armenian history and relations. To record the monumental examples of irrefutable facts unknown to most Turks, and especially Turkish youth, and of course the American public, would require many pages. Therefore, for me to visualize Article 30 or 40, is not being presumptuous, in fact a compilation of my writing could fill many volumes. The offering here remains at the discretion of the Editor, and the comments herein and in subsequent articles, reflect in no way the position of this paper. In its profound dedication to serve the Turkish-American community, coupled with its most admirable efforts in strengthening the bonds of friendship between the United States and Turkey, The Turkish Times, I believe, wishes to inform its readers of invaluable information which can shed light on Turkish history which remains victimized in the West by the distortions of the Armenian “hate merchants”.

But lest we overlook the introduction: The most unique feature of this writer is due to the fact - now hold on to your chair, that he is an American born of an Armenian mother and a Syrian-Orthodox father! He is the younger son of parents who had been born in Ottoman Turkey, became eye-witness to the conflagration of the First World War in their beloved homeland, and as a result, their destiny brought them to the land where millions had emigrated.

Before my birth my parents had settled in Troy, New York; (one of countless coincidences: Troy is ancient Truva in Turkey). In a home where English, Turkish, and Armenian were spoken on a daily basis, until the age of sixteen, I could not speak a word of Turkish. In my youth there was no indication that all things Turkish would become an integral part of my life. An uneventful life eventually evolved into having a private audience with five incumbent Turkish Presidents, speaking to the Head of State of a great nation, IN TURKISH.

Yes, this offering is not intended to be an autobiography, but you as the readers of this column are entitled to be aware of the facts pertaining to this writer, and above all, I shall not, as I never have, resort to self-aggrandizement or subterfuge.

Only by being honest and truthful with the readers of this paper, can I hope that you will look forward to the next article, with your comments sent to The Turkish Times. Agree with this writer or not, condemn or praise him, (neither of which he has sought), I ask only that you think, consider the content of the expressed philosophy of one ethnic Armenian who has spoken and written the words which NO OTHER Armenian has in his heart to do so. There are no letters after my name, the only letters that describe me are: Mr. My beloved wife of forty years, who is born of Armenian parents, and I are living proof of the centuries of brotherhood between our respective peoples.

We have traveled through history with its joys and sorrows. Turkish-Armenian history has been our domain, and in the pages of that history, we recognize centuries of harmony and brotherhood, had been devastated by a World War. Nevertheless, the inseparability of our peoples had been instilled in my heart and soul by parents who displayed compassion rather than vengeance, truth rather than misrepresentation, love instead of hate. They brought their humanity from Ottoman Turkey in 1921, and in America their son, in a letter written to the late President Cemal Gursel, in 1965, we find the words: “. . .I have pledged myself to RECONCILIATION.” Unfortunately, the wisdom of my parents, equal to the compassion of the Turkish heart, is not shared by a people who inflict upon their children the seed of futile hatred. My pledge remains, and nothing on earth can deter me from my resolve, and the certainty that the course I have chosen is just and the only hope for universal understanding. Until next we meet, our work continues...

 

Edward Tashji

I am Called: "Turk Dostu" — A "Friend of Turks"

The Turkish Times

 

 

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THE PURPOSE OF TALL ARMENIAN TALE (TAT)
...Is to expose the mythological “Armenian genocide,” from the years 1915-16. A wartime tragedy involving the losses of so many has been turned into a politicized story of “exclusive victimhood,” and because of the prevailing prejudice against Turks, along with Turkish indifference, those in the world, particularly in the West, have been quick to accept these terribly defamatory claims involving the worst crime against humanity. Few stop to investigate below the surface that those regarded as the innocent victims, the Armenians, while seeking to establish an independent state, have been the ones to commit systematic ethnic cleansing against those who did not fit into their racial/religious ideal: Muslims, Jews, and even fellow Armenians who had converted to Islam. Criminals as Dro, Antranik, Keri, Armen Garo and Soghoman Tehlirian (the assassin of Talat Pasha, one of the three Young Turk leaders, along with Enver and Jemal) contributed toward the deaths (via massacres, atrocities, and forced deportation) of countless innocents, numbering over half a million. What determines genocide is not the number of casualties or the cruelty of the persecutions, but the intent to destroy a group, the members of which are guilty of nothing beyond being members of that group. The Armenians suffered their fate of resettlement not for their ethnicity, having co-existed and prospered in the Ottoman Empire for centuries, but because they rebelled against their dying Ottoman nation during WWI (World War I); a rebellion that even their leaders of the period, such as Boghos Nubar and Hovhannes Katchaznouni, have admitted. Yet the hypocritical world rarely bothers to look beneath the surface, not only because of anti-Turkish prejudice, but because of Armenian wealth and intimidation tactics. As a result, these libelous lies, sometimes belonging in the category of “genocide studies,” have become part of the school curricula of many regions. Armenian scholars such as Vahakn Dadrian, Peter Balakian, Richard Hovannisian, Dennis Papazian and Levon Marashlian have been known to dishonestly present only one side of their story, as long as their genocide becomes affirmed. They have enlisted the help of "genocide scholars," such as Roger Smith, Robert Melson, Samantha Power, and Israel Charny… and particularly  those of Turkish extraction, such as Taner Akcam and Fatma Muge Gocek, who justify their alliance with those who actively work to harm the interests of their native country, with the claim that such efforts will help make Turkey more" democratic." On the other side of this coin are genuine scholars who consider all the relevant data, as true scholars have a duty to do, such as Justin McCarthy, Bernard Lewis, Heath Lowry, Erich Feigl and Guenter Lewy. The unscrupulous genocide industry, not having the facts on its side, makes a practice of attacking the messenger instead of the message, vilifying these professors as “deniers” and "agents of the Turkish government." The truth means so little to the pro-genocide believers, some even resort to the forgeries of the Naim-Andonian telegrams or sources  based on false evidence, as Franz Werfel’s The Forty Days of Musa Dagh. Naturally, there is no end to the hearsay "evidence" of the prejudiced pro-Christian people from the period, including missionaries and Near East Relief representatives, Arnold Toynbee, Lord Bryce, Lloyd George, Woodrow Wilson, Theodore Roosevelt, and so many others. When the rare Westerner opted to look at the issues objectively, such as Admirals Mark Bristol and Colby Chester, they were quick to be branded as “Turcophiles” by the propagandists. The sad thing is, even those who don’t consider themselves as bigots are quick to accept the deceptive claims of Armenian propaganda, because deep down people feel the Turks are natural killers and during times when Turks were victims, they do not rate as equal and deserving human beings. This is the main reason why the myth of this genocide has become the common wisdom.