Neos Kosmos
mmunity/community_index.shtml
April 7 2009
Australia

SA pollies clash over Pontian genocide

Liberal Senator Alan Ferguson denies Pontian Genocide

SA Attorney General Michael Atkinson to introduce resolution
recognising Pontian Genocide

A POLITICAL battle has been sparked between two South Australian
politicians over their views on the Pontian Genocide.

The South Australian Attorney General, Minister for Justice and
Multicultural Affairs, Michael Atkinson and the South Australian
Liberal, Senator Alan Ferguson, are at loggerheads because of comments
made by Mr Atkinson .

The comments were made at the unveiling of a plaque in Adelaide’s
Migration Museum that commemorates the Pontian Genocide carried out
by Turkish forces between 1915 and 1922.

The event was organised in December 2008 as part of the 50th
anniversary celebrations of the Pontian Brotherhood of South Australia.

Mr Atkinson’s speech attracted the attention of the Turkish Ambassador
Murat Ersavci for saying that nationalist Turkish forces led by
Kemal Mustafa’s forces were responsible for the Pontian, Armenian
and Assyrian genocides.

The Turkish Ambassador contacted Senator Ferguson to protest Mr
Atkinson’s speech.

According to Neos Kosmos English Edition (NKEE) sources the Turkish
Embassy is fervently lobbying the South Australian government for
the removal of the plaque.

Senator Ferguson responded by addressing the Senate on March 18,
the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the formal agreement between
Australia and Turkey.

The Senator said that the Turkish Ambassador had visited him and had
"expressed his deep concern" about Mr Atkinson’s speech.

Senator Ferguson personal objection to the speech is that "It can
only cause deep ill-feeling, not the least since Mustafa Kemal was the
leader of a nation that was, at that time, fighting for its survival
against an invasion from Greece-a point that the Attorney-General in
South Australia seemed to overlook. "

Senator Ferguson then accuses Pontians and Armenians of trying to
‘rewrite history’ and of applying con-temporary morals on ‘events
that took place 100 years ago.’

He goes on to say that people should not pass judgement on historical
events without knowing the facts.

NKEE contacted Mr Ferguson who defended his speech .

Ferguson said his speech in Federal Parliament was driven by his belief
that government is obligated to represent all people of the community.

"I don’t think it’s right to promote what might be construed as
controversial views which denigrate one section of the community,"
Senator Ferguson said. When pressed on his knowledge of the historical
events of the time he conceded that he wasn’t very familiar with the
history of that part of the world and of that era.

While not denying that atrocities were committed against Armenians and
Greeks, Ferguson reiterated the view that atrocities were committed
by all sides.

He refused to use the term genocide, arguing that there are historians
who dispute that atrocities were only one sided.

Atkinson responded by accusing Senator Ferguson of running errands
for the Turkish ambassador and by attacking Federal Liberal leader,
Malcolm Turnbull, and South Australian State Liberal Leader Mr Smith
for not disassociating their parties from Senator Ferguson’s comments.

Atkinson also disputes Mr Ferguson’s claim that his concern was for
harmonious multicultural relations.

"I’ve been going to the important events for people of a non-English
speaking background for 25 years. I don’t recall once seeing Senator
Ferguson at those events and I think it is that disconnect… that
has caused this fiasco," said Mr Atkinson.

He also pointed out that his relations with the Turkish community are
very good, highlighting the fact that he doesn’t hold this "community
responsible for the events in Anatolia.

"In fact I have more to do with Turkish Australians than Senator
Ferguson ever has," he added.

Mr Atkinson revealed to NKEE that a resolution for the recognition
of the Pontian Genocide will be introduced to the South Australian
Parliament which has already passed a resolution for the Armenian
Genocide. "I believe, Senator Ferguson’s remarkable denial necessitates
that South Australian Par-liament do it regarding the Pontian Greeks."