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Pontos World - An open letter to the public by Behzad Bilek

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  • Pontos World - An open letter to the public by Behzad Bilek

    http://pontosworld.com/index.php?option=com_conten t&task=view&id=1327&Itemid=63

    Pontos World

    An open letter to the public

    May 20, 2009 at 09:04 PM


    On October 6, 2008, in the 8th Notary Public's Office in the Mersin
    province of Turkey, I have officially transferred my house/land title
    located in the village of Cimencik (read as Chimenjick) to the Seyfo
    Center in Holland, nominating it to its director Mr Sabri Atman. The
    Cimencik village is part of the sub-division of Eruh district of the
    Siirt province in the South-East of Turkey. In my letter below, I
    would like to share with you, the international public, the reasons
    why I have transferred my land to Seyfo Center.
    Published: 2009-05-19
    Courtesy of the Seyfo Center Website

    by Behzat Bilek

    World War I is a well known event by the international public. This
    event took place in the late Ottoman Empire in 1915 - genocide was
    carried against all Christian minorities living there. My village
    Cimencik, of Eruh district, was another place where these unfortunate
    events occurred. I have personally researched this event from many
    different aspects. Today in Turkey this subject is still, not only
    denied and distorted for over 93 years, but to speak about it or
    mention it is considered taboo. I did not just rely on what historians
    wrote or documented - I have also witnessed the confessions of the
    live witnesses who not only witnessed this tragic genocide, but who
    took part in the killing role in these mass massacres - where these
    individuals can be described as the `guilty party'. I have met these
    people face to face and listened to them just before their
    deaths. During the genocide years, the murdered Assyrians in my
    village had their lands confiscated and the little number of them who
    survived was Islamized. The grand children of those who were Islamized
    are still living in our village.

    I found out that the land which was inherited by me and my brothers
    and sisters from my father actually was the land of the people
    (Assyrians) who were massacred in 1915. It does not belong to us. I
    now cannot find the right words that describe the shame, guilt, qualm
    and the pangs of conscience state I live in. Before taking my decision
    of transfer, for many years I have thought about it and have placed
    myself in the shoes of those people who became victims of the
    genocide. Despite me personally apologising to many Assyrian and
    Armenian individuals that I came across with and said `sorry' to, I
    could not leave the moral pressure of conscience I inherited
    behind. Even though today I do not have a direct connection with the
    then genocide - I came to the conclusion that I have to do something
    beyond apology. That is why the estate I have inherited from my
    forefathers, I am returning it to its actual owners, the Assyrians, to
    one of their organizations, the Seyfo Center which sacrifices altruism
    in recognition of the genocide.

    This deed of mine is actioned into reality with my own free will and
    feelings. It has not been influenced upon me by any group or
    organization, nor is there any financial gain, family and personal
    intent or reason which lies behind it.

    The 1915 genocide was directed towards non-Muslims living in the
    former Ottoman Empire territories during World War I. It is denied
    firmly in an insensitive manner by the Turkish Republic State for over
    85 years. The victims of this genocide the Armenians, Assyrians and
    other Christian minorities are forced to live in anguish for many
    years to come. The lands they lived on for many millennia as well as
    their living and non-living possessions were confiscated. Many of them
    were forced into exile. All of their estates were seized - houses and
    churches were occupied and many of them were forcibly Islamized
    (against their own will). The shivering/horrifying sides of the
    genocide are detailed in many books and documented in historic
    documents. As a Kurdish person, I do not wish to enter the discussion
    of the genocide as someone has to make a decision to form one's
    judgement. Purely the responsibility for the genocide, due to its
    nature, being an organized political activity, undoubtedly lies upon
    the Ottoman state, being the then most authoritative political
    organization at the time. However, having said that primary
    responsibility lies upon the authoritative state, this does not leave
    out those who carried it out as irresponsible nor removes their
    guilt. Just like some Kurdish tribes who acted with the state in
    carrying it out won't remove their guilt and responsibility in the
    action. In this genocide the ones who carried it out are guilty of
    their actions as much as those who took the decision to implement
    it. Even though many decades have passed since, to remain silent about
    this genocide consciously, I feel as guilty as if I were openly
    denying it.

    Against this historical guilt, as a human being or in the humanitarian
    sense I could not let the feelings of shame continue. I came to the
    conclusion that it is our conscience duty to not be delayed in
    apologising to the victims of the genocide and to return anything we
    have confiscated from them. Because, to live with historical guilt,
    even though you have no direct connection with it, while not taking a
    stand and remaining silent about it is like to continue in identifying
    with that guilt. The Turkish Republic State keeps denying the 1915
    Genocide and states that: "we have no pebble to give in nor we owe any
    apology". However I, not only am apologizing for them, I'm returning
    to the Assyrians the estates that were confiscated from them.

    With this deed of mine, I wanted to place a stop to a historical guilt
    that occurred many years ago and was kept denied. On behalf of my
    grandfathers, I apologize and ask forgiveness! My decision to
    apologise is to make a real peace with the people that were victims of
    the genocide. I am a human being! I do not want to loose my
    humanitarian values!

    Within my letter I wanted to explain the reasons for my deed to Turkey
    (Turkish Government) and to whole world. You won't find a similar deed
    actioned by any individual in Turkey that is directed as an apology
    for the genocide. It is time to apologise to Assyrians, Armenians and
    the Greeks who have been condemned to anguish, sorrow and grief for
    many years. Anyone individually can make an apology without awaiting
    the State's attitude in this case. It is the only condition to bring
    an end to this historical guilt and finally live in peace.

    With my genuine respect,

    Behzat Bilek
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