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3/13/07

toledoblade.com -- Why is the US selling out Turkey, a faithful ally? - by Robert Erel

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Why is the US selling out Turkey, a faithful ally? - by Robert Erel

America's relationship with one of its most important allies, NATO member Turkey, is near the breaking point due to repeated insults and blunders by our administration. Now Congress may soon put the final nail in the coffin. Congress is preparing to vote on a mean-spirited resolution accusing Turkey of committing genocide against Armenians during World War I. This is just not true, and any suggestion of it justifiably infuriates the Turks.Why is the US selling out Turkey, a faithful ally?

During World War I, the Turkish led, multi-ethnic Ottoman Empire was in a struggle for its very survival, fighting the French, English, and Russians on four fronts. Wanting to partition the Empire, these countries fomented insurrection and guerrilla action on the part of the many Ottoman ethnic groups. The powder keg blew, and all ethnic groups, including Turks, Kurds, Greeks, Azeris, Arabs, Russians, and Armenians were killing each other. Atrocities occurred on all sides. This was wartime. Many Armenians acted as a fifth column for the Russians and they slaughtered many Turks, Azeris, and Kurds. No one denies that many of them also died. To label these actions on the part of any of these groups as genocide is absurd.

The Turks have been busy creating a modern, dynamic, peaceful democracy, seeing no point in complaining about provocations against them that occurred 90 years ago. They are understandably upset by this patently untrue and insulting accusation by the Armenians. But their real shock is that their longtime ally and friend, the United States, would be so un-American and unfair as to even consider dignifying this unfounded claim.

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