July 13, 2002
Ottawa Citizen
1101 Baxter Road, Box 5020
Ottawa, Ontario K2C 3M4

Re: An overlooked outrage

Sir/Madam:

What happened in 1915 in the eastern regions of the war-torn Ottoman Empire is not a "stain" on the Turkish nation but a wound; a terrible wound inflicted on the Ottoman subjects starting before 1915 by the actions of the Armenian revolutionary committees such as Dashnaks and Hunchaks assisted by Russian Imperial Forces.

The background in your article seems to have been based on one source that is disputed by many others including many renowned North American historians that have extensively investigated this issue. It is everyone's responsibility to research a subject as controversial as this one before it is committed to print. Therefore, I am enclosing a booklet that contains important historical documents, and articles by independent and non-Turkish historians, observers, and writers. The booklet also contains references to objective sources on the subject. I have also attached a fact sheet for easy reference.

There was also an interesting implication of this conflict perhaps being against Christians as you found the reference to "Armenian Christians" more appropriate in your "news story". I thought you might find a book recently published by a Scottish American, a life-long Baptist, Samuel Weems, articulating on the "Secrets of a Christian Terrorist State" or "Armenia: The Great Deception". This recent publication is also attached.

I would like to also point out that the Ottomans dealt with this issue after they lost World War 1 while under Allied occupation. The British convened the Malta Tribunals to try 144 high ranking Ottoman officials for crimes against Armenians. All of the accused were acquitted as no evidence could be brought forward during the 30 month trial to substantiate the charges against them. Access to Ottoman records was unfettered as the British and French occupied and controlled Istanbul at that time.

Our aim at the Federation of Canadian Turkish Associations is to create an environment for reconciliation and to live in peace and harmony. We believe that we must encourage a dialogue between both the Turkish and Armenian communities to help end the feelings of historical injustice on both sides of this issue. However, before reconciliation can be achieved, there must be fairness and objectivity. As the Turkish side has recognised the large number of Armenians that died during this terrible conflict, there is a need for the world to also recognise, at least an equal number Turks (if not more) that lost their lives in the same conflict, the same region, and during the same period. We ask all around us to help us in this aim. If you would like to discuss this matter further or need more information, please do not hesitate to contact our office.

Yours sincerely,
Dr. Seyhan Nuyan
President