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Pakistan Observer , Pakistan
May 24 2009
Myth of Armenian claims against Turks
Name of the book:Lies,Lies and More Lies
Author:Col Masud Akhtar Shaikh (R)
Reviewed by:Col Ghulam Sarwar (R)
Published by:Encore, Islamabad
Pages: 250
A reputed Pakistani scholar of the Turkish language and literature,
Col Masud Akhtar Shaikh is the proud author of sixteen books and some
of these are translations from Turkish literature. A few more books, I
understand, are in the pipeline. Besides, writing books on Turkish
literature, he has carried out an indepth analysis of the Armenian
issue and in the process has exploded the myth of the Armenian
genocide by the Ottoman Turks. He has convincingly brought out that
the issue of genocide is a total hoax and has nothing to do with facts
on ground. He holds that this `hoax' was woven by some Christian
powers during World War I, as a part of their vicious propaganda
against the Turks. Col Shaikh, on the other hand, makes us believe
that the myth of Armenian genocide by the ottoman Turks, was designed
to cover up the genocide of the Turks at the hands of the Armenians.
It is extremely deplorable that the propaganda against the Turks has
so successfully been launched that the world has seriously started
believing that the Armenians were the most oppressed nation in the
world and that the Ottoman Turks had mercilessly subjected them to
genocide and for this, the Turkish Republic should accept
responsibility. The learned author feels that it is high time that
this myth is exposed threadbare.
From the narrative, we learn that knowing that the Ottoman government
would not easily agree to further disintegration of the Empire, the
Americans had adopted the policy of terrorism on an extensive
scale. Gradually, the terrorist operations engineered by the Armenians
had become so frequent and so widespread, that it had become almost
impossible to keep a count of the number of Turks killed by the
Armenians. It was also difficult to assess the value of Turkish assets
that were destroyed by the latter. To put facts in their proper
perspective, the author makes us believe that during the Ottoman
Empire, there was no bar or prejudice against the employment of
Armenians in any government or ministry. Also, there was no objection
to their elevation to the higher echelons of the bureaucratic
hierarchy. This situation continued right upto the end of World War
I. This fact was borne out by the Report of the Commission led by
General Horbord, and presented to the American Senate. This Commission
had carried out a study on the status of Armenians in Antolia and
Russia at the end of the Great War.
The report had stated that the Turkish people and the Armenians had
been living side by side on friendly and peaceful terms. In fact, the
Armenians had lived in peace and prosperity for many centuries as the
loyal citizens of the Ottoman Empire, enjoying full confidence of the
Ottoman Rulers. However, starting from the last quarter of the 19th
century, this situation had started undergoing a drastic change in
relation between the Turks and the Armenians. Thus, through cunning
mechanism of the Big Powers, the age-old brotherly feelings between
the two communities were gradually replaced by feelings of mutual
hatred and acrimony. With regard to geo-political importance of Turks,
the author brings out that all along history, Turkey had remained the
centre of attraction for various powers, because of its extremely
important strategic and geo-political location. Obviously, it had
served as a bridge between Europe and Asia. To add to its importance,
we see that it controlled two highly important straits, the
Dardanelles and the Istanbul straits (Bosophorus), which provided
passage between the Mediterranean Sea and the Black Sea. It was
located at a nodal point where the natural energy resources of Asia,
Caucasus and Middle East intersect each other. In view of this
enviable position, Turkey has always been the centre piece of plots
and conspiracies hatched against it by big powers. Further, we learn
from the narrative that Armenia is in dire need of economic
developments, both in the industrial and the agricultural sectors. For
this, it has to rely on outside help in terms of technical know-how,
heavy equipment and machinery and external investment. With the
present strained relations with Azerbaijan, Turkey, Georgia and to
some extent, Iran, it would be futile on the part of Armenia to expect
desired goodwill from any of these countries. In view of above
constraints, what Armenia needs in the immediate future is a friendly
Turkey, a friendly Azerbaijan and a friendly Georgia. All these
neighbouring countries can be of a great assistance to Armenia in its
economic and social development as well as its security as an
independent nation. It is in Armenia's own interest to realise that no
attempt at reconciliation can be successful unless the outside powers,
namely Russia, America and France realise that their respective
national interests can be served better if durable peace prevails in
the region. By contributing towards accelerated economic and
industrial development of the region, these powers can also reap rich
dividends in terms of greater opportunities for secure investment in
the whole region. International development and financial agencies
would also be encouraged to invest substantial funds for speedy
regional development. This done, hopefully, within a short period,
Armenia would no longer remain a permanent liability for Russia and
America, as well as for rest of the Christian world, as it has been
for the last many decades. So, in the interest of Armenian people, it
is imperative that Russia, America and France, voluntarily lend their
support in paving the way for inter-state reconciliation in the
region.
http://pakobserver.net/200905/24/Arti cles03.asp
May 24 2009
Myth of Armenian claims against Turks
Name of the book:Lies,Lies and More Lies
Author:Col Masud Akhtar Shaikh (R)
Reviewed by:Col Ghulam Sarwar (R)
Published by:Encore, Islamabad
Pages: 250
A reputed Pakistani scholar of the Turkish language and literature,
Col Masud Akhtar Shaikh is the proud author of sixteen books and some
of these are translations from Turkish literature. A few more books, I
understand, are in the pipeline. Besides, writing books on Turkish
literature, he has carried out an indepth analysis of the Armenian
issue and in the process has exploded the myth of the Armenian
genocide by the Ottoman Turks. He has convincingly brought out that
the issue of genocide is a total hoax and has nothing to do with facts
on ground. He holds that this `hoax' was woven by some Christian
powers during World War I, as a part of their vicious propaganda
against the Turks. Col Shaikh, on the other hand, makes us believe
that the myth of Armenian genocide by the ottoman Turks, was designed
to cover up the genocide of the Turks at the hands of the Armenians.
It is extremely deplorable that the propaganda against the Turks has
so successfully been launched that the world has seriously started
believing that the Armenians were the most oppressed nation in the
world and that the Ottoman Turks had mercilessly subjected them to
genocide and for this, the Turkish Republic should accept
responsibility. The learned author feels that it is high time that
this myth is exposed threadbare.
From the narrative, we learn that knowing that the Ottoman government
would not easily agree to further disintegration of the Empire, the
Americans had adopted the policy of terrorism on an extensive
scale. Gradually, the terrorist operations engineered by the Armenians
had become so frequent and so widespread, that it had become almost
impossible to keep a count of the number of Turks killed by the
Armenians. It was also difficult to assess the value of Turkish assets
that were destroyed by the latter. To put facts in their proper
perspective, the author makes us believe that during the Ottoman
Empire, there was no bar or prejudice against the employment of
Armenians in any government or ministry. Also, there was no objection
to their elevation to the higher echelons of the bureaucratic
hierarchy. This situation continued right upto the end of World War
I. This fact was borne out by the Report of the Commission led by
General Horbord, and presented to the American Senate. This Commission
had carried out a study on the status of Armenians in Antolia and
Russia at the end of the Great War.
The report had stated that the Turkish people and the Armenians had
been living side by side on friendly and peaceful terms. In fact, the
Armenians had lived in peace and prosperity for many centuries as the
loyal citizens of the Ottoman Empire, enjoying full confidence of the
Ottoman Rulers. However, starting from the last quarter of the 19th
century, this situation had started undergoing a drastic change in
relation between the Turks and the Armenians. Thus, through cunning
mechanism of the Big Powers, the age-old brotherly feelings between
the two communities were gradually replaced by feelings of mutual
hatred and acrimony. With regard to geo-political importance of Turks,
the author brings out that all along history, Turkey had remained the
centre of attraction for various powers, because of its extremely
important strategic and geo-political location. Obviously, it had
served as a bridge between Europe and Asia. To add to its importance,
we see that it controlled two highly important straits, the
Dardanelles and the Istanbul straits (Bosophorus), which provided
passage between the Mediterranean Sea and the Black Sea. It was
located at a nodal point where the natural energy resources of Asia,
Caucasus and Middle East intersect each other. In view of this
enviable position, Turkey has always been the centre piece of plots
and conspiracies hatched against it by big powers. Further, we learn
from the narrative that Armenia is in dire need of economic
developments, both in the industrial and the agricultural sectors. For
this, it has to rely on outside help in terms of technical know-how,
heavy equipment and machinery and external investment. With the
present strained relations with Azerbaijan, Turkey, Georgia and to
some extent, Iran, it would be futile on the part of Armenia to expect
desired goodwill from any of these countries. In view of above
constraints, what Armenia needs in the immediate future is a friendly
Turkey, a friendly Azerbaijan and a friendly Georgia. All these
neighbouring countries can be of a great assistance to Armenia in its
economic and social development as well as its security as an
independent nation. It is in Armenia's own interest to realise that no
attempt at reconciliation can be successful unless the outside powers,
namely Russia, America and France realise that their respective
national interests can be served better if durable peace prevails in
the region. By contributing towards accelerated economic and
industrial development of the region, these powers can also reap rich
dividends in terms of greater opportunities for secure investment in
the whole region. International development and financial agencies
would also be encouraged to invest substantial funds for speedy
regional development. This done, hopefully, within a short period,
Armenia would no longer remain a permanent liability for Russia and
America, as well as for rest of the Christian world, as it has been
for the last many decades. So, in the interest of Armenian people, it
is imperative that Russia, America and France, voluntarily lend their
support in paving the way for inter-state reconciliation in the
region.
http://pakobserver.net/200905/24/Arti cles03.asp