HOW WILL TURKISH TURMOIL END?
By Richard R. Nelken

Sun-Sentinel.com, FL
Oct 29 2007

The situation concerning the Ottoman Turkish genocide of the Armenian
people during the first World War is sad. Germany takes responsibility
for the Holocaust and they are now our friends. Turkey not only denies
the genocide, but now also threatens us.

Aram Khachaturian, a Russian composer of Armenian heritage, spoke
out when the Soviets permitted him to about the terrible slaughter
of innocent Armenian men, women and children.

William Saroyan, who wrote the story Human Comedy, was the son of
Armenian parents who immigrated to the United States. He never ceased
to bring attention to the horrible tragedy of the Armenian massacre.

Franz Werfel , a German/Jewish writer who wrote Jakobowsky and the
Colonel and the story of The Song of Benadette,made a detailed study
of the genocide which resulted in the earth-shattering indictment in
the book Forty Days of Musa Dagh.

This writer, who spent 14 years in Israel, met a number of elders
who remembered the cruelty of Turks when they held the Mandate for
Palestine. So, now here we are, a resolution in both houses of Congress
has almost brought about a severe crisis relating to our relationship
with Turkey. Turkey has good economic relations with Israel.

Could this possible rift affect our relations with Israel? Could this
effect the supplies to our troops in Iraq, 70 percent of which goes
through Turkey? Will Turkey attack the Kurds using the excuse Kurdish
rebels attacked Turkish soldiers? Is this Congressional resolution
morally correct? Yes! Is this resolution wise? Who knows? Life is
so complicated.

Richard R. Nelken is a resident of Boca Raton.

fl-forun29turksnboct29,0,6628752.story