DEFAMATION OF MUSLIM STATE – TURKEY
Dr M Anwar

Kashmir Watch
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March 22 2010

Physical wounds heal with the passage of time but psychological
injuries leave permanent scars and enduring signatures. When the injury
is collective in nature its impact is proliferated in a diversified
manner, producing inner psychological chain reaction which acts
as a force multiplier to generate negative emotions. Resultantly
the investments made to further national interests are invalidated
or nullified in the face of long outstanding abhorrence of general
milieu and harsh environment. Unfortunately US politicians while
making policy statements and moving the House of Representatives to
vote or pass the resolutions which palpably touch the sensitivities
of Muslim states / Islamic world, do not exercise care.

Recently US Congress Panel approved a resolution, branding the
massacre of Armenians by Ottoman Turks in First World War (1915) as
"genocide". The resolution calls on President Barack Obama to ensure
that US foreign policy reflects an understanding of the "genocide"
and to label the mass killing of Armenians in the hands of Ottoman
Turks as genocide in his annual address on the issue.

Armenians claim that up to 1.5 million Armenians were killed by
Ottoman rulers in a planned campaign of extermination. The massacre
was followed by a round up in Istanbul on 24th April 1915, the date
on which Armenians each year hold rallies around the world and their
stance is supported by few other like minded European countries.

Turkey has categorically rejected the genocide label, showing deep
signs of infuriation and anger by calling back their Ambassador
from Washington. In addition Turkish Prime Minsiter Tayyip Erdogan
emphatically told the journalists in Riyadh that Turkey will not
send back her ambassador to Washington till the time the matter is
clarified by US government. Turkish Prime Minister’s sharp reaction
and exasperated annoyance was vividly observed as he described the
decision undertaken by US House of Foreign Affairs Committee as a
"comedy stunt". In fact Turkey is a strategic partner of USA and it
was expected that USA will handle her strategic alley like Turkey with
utmost reverence maintaining the diplomatic norms and mutual respect
while observing ambassadorial prudence. Unfortunately US politicians
tend to ignore the sensitivities of other nations irrespective of
the delicacy and slenderness of their relationship with the target
country. Making biased moves and undertaking evasive steps to defame
her own allies has become the accepted norm of American politics.

Hence a subjective and prejudicial design of American image has been
experienced in the international arena. Genocide is an unpardonable
crime and to pass judgement on such issue one must have clean record.

Does America possess such a clean record? By the way who conducted
nuclear strikes against Japan? What about yellow agents and chemical
agents used in Vietnam? Who invaded Iraq and Afghanistan? Can American
lawmakers justify their stance to dig old and forgotten issues like
Armenian genocide by Ottoman rulers? What is the rational and moral
behind defamation of Turkey at this point of time? Is it fair to use
disparaging, insulting and slanderous resolutions against ones own
alleys? The answers to these questions come from the hypocrisy of USA.

America may not mend her ways but every tread has a cost. USA is simply
adding more fuel to existing abhorrence and repugnant revulsion which
exists in the Muslim world. American interests will not be properly
validated if USA goes on hurting the Muslims the world over.

Self-respect and honor of the Islamic countries must be observed
conscientiously. Otherwise defamation of one Muslim state like Turkey
may ignite negative emotions throughout the Muslim world. Prudence
is the key.