Zaman Online

NATIONAL 03.26.2005 Saturday – ISTANBUL 09:37

Armenian Riot Under European Directive

By Erdal Sen
Published: Saturday 26, 2005
zaman.com

As a result of a lengthy examination of the Ottoman archival documents
in order to rebuff the so-called Armenian genocide allegations,
crucial important evidence has been revealed.

During the studies conducted under the guidence of theTurkish Prime
Ministry State Archive General Directorate, documents that have
been discoved indicate that the Armenians organized themselves on
Ottoman territory in preparation for a revolt. The document is in
the form of a letter written 23 years ago. It was dated August 9,
1892 and sent from the General Secretariat of Marsilia and London to
the Adana Armenian Archbishop with the revolution plan given in detail.

The letter notes that Armenians spread throughout many countries would
send support and all details including the type of clothing to be worn
during the rioting expected to take place in the revolt was given. The
letter is recorded with the reference number: BOA.HR. SYS.2789/8
in the archive. Cutting the lines of communication, burning down
public buildings, and killing top level civil servants were among
the list of actions recorded in the letter as part of the launch of
the Armenian revolt.

According to the letter, some European countries oriented the
Armenians against the Ottomans and the Director Associate Professor
Yusuf Sarinay defends that the contents of this letter should be
revealed. He added that there are many similar letters in the archive
and that he is now attempting to collect all related Ottoman documents:
“We have published the Armenian-French relations in three volumes
and the Armenian-British relations in two volumes. Right now, we are
working on publishing the volumes on Armenian-Russian relations. We
are continuing the classification of the Ottoman archive.”

Ankara