DEPORTATION AND ANNIHILATION OF ARMENIANS WASN’T CAUSED BY RELIGION

PanARMENIAN.Net
21.02.2007 18:27 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The idea of deporting Armenians from Anatolia
occurred to Turkish leaders in 1913 after suffering a defeat in
the Balkan war. At those times Turks concluded they can’t live with
Christians, Turkish historian Taner Akcam said in an interview with
Minneapolis Star Tribune. "In October 1912 the Ottoman Empire lost
69% of its territory, a homeland for young Turks. They lost because
of Christians.

Armenians made 45% of the population of Anatolia," the Turkish
historian said. According to him, in 1914 the Ottoman government
proceeded to elaboration of a plan for deploying troops in
Anatolia. "However, I do not think that religion was a cause for
deportation and annihilation of Armenians. Majority of Armenians
received education in Europe and were atheists.

Religion was used for uniting the Muslim population against Armenians,"
Taner Akcam said, reports RFE/RL.

Taner Akcam is one of the first Turkish historians to recognize the
Armenian Genocide. In 1978 he immigrated to Germany and was granted
the status of a political refugee. Presently he is a professor of
history at the Minnesota University.