CONGRESSMAN TANCREDO AVENGED BY THE TURKISH GOVERNMENT
AZG Armenian Daily #141, 30/07/2005
Neighbors
Several weeks ago Colorado Congressman Tancredo stated that America
could bomb Muslim Holy sites if there was a need. The Congressman’s
unbalanced statements were exploited by the Turkish government to
avenge him.
First of all, I strongly disagree with Mr. Tancredo’s statements,
because sacrilege is not a solution for any kind of a problem. The
bombing of Mecca would not only give birth to a sinister and
indescribable war, but it would also be an attack on the world
civilization.
The Congressman’s unbelievable comments, nevertheless, are not as
absurd as the condemns expressed by the Turkish officials. The Turkish
Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul called the Colorado congressman
fanatical person ignoring the fact that his own Turkish government
denies the Armenian Genocide (the systematic massacre of the oldest
Christian people in its motherland between 1915-1923); that his own
Turkish government is responsible for bombings and desecrations of
more than 2000 Christian Armenian churches and cathedrals, some as old
as 1700 years; that his own Turkish government occupies northern part
of Cyprus; that his own Turkish government beheaded 30,000 Kurds in
the last two decades and that his own Turkish government is a violator
of basic human rights.
There are two apparent reasons why the Turkish government suddenly
emerged into this issue as an accuser. First of all, Turkey truly
dreams of joining the European Union, thus this engagement would speak
of Turkey’s democratic standards (at least the Foreign Minister thinks
so). Second, Turkey wants to use this opportunity to punish Tancredo
and turn him to its side. Congressman Tancredo lately voted in favor
of Armenian Genocide’s recognition by the US House of Representatives,
thus the Colorado Representative is on the black list of Turkey. As
the Associated Press reported on 19 July 2005, Tancredo talked with
the Turkish ambassador Tuesday afternoon during a long-scheduled
meeting about a House bill on the Turkish-Armenian conflict. Turkey
simply aims to exploit Congressman Tancredo’s situation to get him off
the black list. Otherwise, why would the Armenian conflict emerge
during these negotiations? Is this the way Turkey condemns offensive
speeches?
By exploiting the Congressman’s comments, Turkey wants to kill two
birds with one stone: to praise itself as a democratic country and to
avenge Mr. Tancredo for recognizing the Armenian Genocide.
As a resident of Littleton who was paid tribute by Congressman
Tancredo in the House of the Representatives last year, and as an
Armenian whose family survived the Armenian Genocide, I find
Mr. Tancredo’s comments shocking and offensive. At the same time,
Turkey’s sudden statements in this situation are sinister and
ridiculous.
The sick man of Europe should solve its problems first.
By Simon Maghakyan in Littleton, Colorado