SENSELESS OF CONGRESS
by Ali Aslan
Today’s Zaman, Turkey
Oct 5 2007
Alo Gari was a strong old woman. That’s why she was referred to by
a man’s name. She lived in Germili, a village near Elaziz (now Elazý)
When they came to forcibly deport Armenian residents of this mixed
Muslim-Christian village, she hid a small child. Unfortunately that
child’s parents never came back. He was raised by Alo Gari along
with her beloved grandson, Ali, who lost his father when he was very
young. How do I know this? Because Ali was my grandfather.
Amid all the tragedies, there are many humane stories to tell from one
of the darkest chapters of in the history of Anatolia. I’m sure there
were Armenians who made similar gestures for their Muslim Turkish and
Kurdish neighbors terrorized by Christian rebellions. Is it possible
to understand those times from only one angle? Of course not. But
that’s exactly what the US Congress is trying to do today.
Look at the infamous "Armenian genocide" resolution (H. Res. 106), for
which there will be a markup at the House Foreign Affairs Committee
next Wednesday. Does it reveal anything about the sufferings
of Muslims? Does it tell of Turks and Kurds helping Christian
Armenians? Does it talk about the extraordinary war conditions that
lead to the deportation and eventual crimes against humanity? No. It
only offers a one-sided, emotional and unscientific description of the
events of 1915. It’s not only a nonsense attempt at writing history
by politicians, but also a distorted production of the story.
I understand the grievances of Armenian Americans. I know how they
feel about losing some of their ancestors and having to leave their
homeland. I can see the deep feeling of injustice. However, does one
injustice justify another? Is it fair to conceal a long history of
peaceful, harmonious coexistence and reduce all Turkish-Armenian
history to just 1915? And is it fair for the US Congress to pick
sides in a civil war that took place almost a century ago?
At least 226 members in the house think so, and I’m sure even more
will join them if and when this resolution comes to the floor for a
vote. Why is that? A considerable part of the reason is the Armenian
ability to influence and convince their fellow Christians. The United
States is a Christian-dominant nation and Americans have always been
interested in the plight of fellow Christian men and women all over
the world. This resolution will reflect the sense of Congress, that
is, the sense of the American people.
American rulers always say they are not at war with Muslims or Islam.
But actions on the ground often prove the opposite. It was a small
radical group of Muslims who attacked the US on Sept. 11, 2001,
but a worldwide and widespread revenge mechanism was put into effect.
Guantanamo, Abu Ghraib, the Patriot Act and the war in Iraq are the
most obvious end results. The post-Sept. 11 mood makes it politically
correct to portray Muslims as monsters. Therefore there couldn’t be
a better time for a congressional resolution which does just that
for Turkish Muslims. Why am I not surprised? Most US rulers do not
give a damn what 1.5 billion Muslims might feel about their policies,
so why should Congress care about 70 million Turks?
It’s important for Republican leaders to show muscle against Muslims so
that they can garner "patriotic" votes and funds. Likewise, it’s useful
for Democrats to secure Armenian American support for their political
campaigns. Don’t tell me this is only an innocent acknowledgement for a
"forgotten genocide" and a tribute to its victims. Don’t tell me this
is a matter of principle. Had the US Congress acted with principle,
they would have pursued a more balanced path, or at least shown a
little interest or sympathy for hundreds and thousands of innocent
Muslim losses as well. In fact most other Western parliaments have
chosen the same path. Perhaps it is too much to expect fairness from
the offspring of colonialists who provoked fine Armenian citizens
against the Ottoman Empire. Perhaps one should talk more about
American, British, French and Russian interests before and during
World War I in trying to divide and rule Turkish lands.
In Turkey and many other parts of the Muslim world, this one-sided
US Congress resolution on the events of 1915 will only be seen as a
continuation of the colonialist mantra. It will be viewed as a sign
of the never-ending vengeful attitude against Muslim inhabitants of
formerly Christian lands. It will be seen as one other Crusade-like
solidarity action. Does that make any sense when US is trying to
give just the opposite image? No. This cannot be about the "sense of
Congress" then; rather, it is the "senselessness of Congress."
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