from The Presidency of
The Union of Turkish Bars Association

PUBLIC PRESS RELEASE

Thursday, the 12th October 2006, the French National Assembly will vote on a  law proposal to lift the  freedom of thought  ensured by laws and constitutions “covered in human skin” and attained after many a troubles and struggles.

The French government, by announcing that they have no interest in this law proposal, is already declaring that the law proposal is against the freedom of thought, and that it negates ‘wisdom’,  the most important human quality.

This law proposal along with the law of 29 January 2001,  in the form of “France openly recognizes the Armenian genocide” accepts the prejudice that a “genocide” was carried out on the Armenian people in Anatolia  in 1915, and requires the punishment of those responsible for this.  “Article 24, concerning the freedom of the press, enforced on 29 July 1881, also propogates to punish those who reject the 1915 Armenian Genocide as stated in Article 23 of the same law.”

There are political motives at the basis of this prejudice.

What happened in Anatolia in 1915?

Previously, the Hinchak and Tashnak Committees, “in order to reach targets through a revolution or rebellion in Turkey” implemented rebellions using methods such as  “propaganda, provocation, terrorization”.  The number of these insurrections against the government , carried out by using armed forces, was 25 only in 1895. 

According to the movement of separation of Article 7 of the programs, the most appropriate time to notify of the realization of the rebellion was “when Turkey entered the war.”  When the Ottoman government entered the First World War in November 1914, the Armenian rebels thought that the awaited moment had arrived.

During World War 1 nothing more or less happened in Anatolia which did not happen in Europe.  The army of the Eastern Russian Empire started their occupation of Eastern Anatolia.  At the same time, in the West the British and French were attacking Canakkale.  In the south, the British were starting the Suez operations.

The Armenians were carrying out an insurrection in Van.  On 24 April, the captains of the Armenian insurgents were arrested in Istanbul.  The first lie of the Armenians was their proclamation of  this date as “the genocide day”.  Whereas, in fact, arrests were only made for the security of the Turkish government.

The armed forces, as a result of a military evaluation, decided not to leave the Armenians this region behind as they were behaving like enemies, but to drive them to other places in Anatolia and Syria.  In respect of this deportation, a law was enacted.  It is obvious that in those days, traveling conditions were very difficult and starvation, illness, and loss of life due to brigand attacks were unavoidable.  Yet, none of this has anything to do with ridding the world of a race or genocide.  Armenians have always had influence and weight in many places in Anatolia.  In fact, from 1919 to 1922, the Armenians united with the Greek forces to cause darkness and suffering to the people in Anatolia.  A document pertaining to this was prepared by a committee under the presidency of Admiral Bristol in 1919.

To emphasize the difficult situation of the Turks in regard to their possibilities and conditions; in the same time period, due to being unequipped, having difficulties of transportation and lack of food, 90000 Turkish soldiers were lost at Sarikamis.  Moreover, the Turkish forces both in Cannakale and the Saudi Arabian deserts experienced the same deprivations resulting in much loss of life.

Under the protection of the Russian and French armies, the Armenian citizens of the Ottoman Empire, rebelled against the Turks, Kurds, and Circassian muslims in the region killing, raping and dishonoring them.  In respect of these attacks, there is evidence provided by Russian generals.

In Southern Anatolia, in Maras, Ayintap, Urfa and Adana, Armenians, disguised in French army uniforms, once again killed Turkish Muslims.  It should be best understood by the French why later the titles ‘victorious’, ‘brave’, and the like were added to the names of these cities.

For this reason, the French public and parlimentarians should not forget their responsibilities.  France has also to account for its inhumane treatment of peoples from Turkey, Algeria and Indo-China apart from its coercion to make Armenians savage the people in Southern Anatolia, Ayintap, Maras, Urfa and Adana.  The Armenians were separated from the people they had existed with and the land they had lived on for hundreds of years, and were taken to France.  Today, Armenians living in France and other countries should first of all ask those who dragged them through bloody inconsequential adventures to account for their doings.

Those who have not accounted for their own actions do not have the right to ask other nations to do so.  It should not be forgotten that the Republic of Turkey was established as an outcome of the War of Independence in which imperialist powers, including France, colluded together with various intrigues to openly and secretly attack the country.

If this law proposal is accepted, then there will be some political upset.  We deeply respect the France of the enlightenment era, represented by Voltaire, who said ”I may not be of the same mind, but I will always defend your right to voice your thoughts.”  However, we cannot remain silent while France continues to sacrifice its sacred freedom of thought, and tries to realize its imperialist objectives in the 21st century as it rears its ugly imperialist head.  This is an honorable duty that we have inherited from those who  had established our republic  in 1920 in the most difficult of conditions.

We announce herewith that The Union of Turkish Bars Association will cut its ties with the French Bars and universities, and will carry out protestations as   “There’s no Armenian genocide” if the French National Assembly accept this law proposal.