The Honorable
Antony J. Blinken
Secretary of State
Washington, D.C. 20520
Dear Mister Secretary,
As an international fellow of the USAWC Class of ’83 I decided send a letter to you. I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations on your selection as the Secretary of State of the United States of America. I believe that as an esteemed member of the U.S. Administration you will arrive at your humanitarian approach within an International legal framework. Therefore, I would like to appeal to you regarding the impending decision-making date in recognising the Armenian “genocide” claims.
Armenian claims over the years have been very hurtful to Turkish people and Turkey as a country. Sadly many unsubstantiated allegations are taught in schools, instilling the seeds of hatred and anger towards our children. Armenian allegations unfortunately spread hatred and grudge against Turkish people, ignoring the rule of law and human compassion while deliberately pushing those who spread and support these claims towards criminal behaviour, i.e., the many assassinations of innocent people.
I am sure that you would be familiar with the ruling of the United Nations’ Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (1948) Article VI. It states “Persons charged with genocide or any of the other acts enumerated in article III shall be tried by a competent tribunal of the State in the territory of which the act was committed, or by such international penal tribunal as may have jurisdiction with respect to those Contracting Parties which shall have accepted its jurisdiction” This ruling clearly indicates that the term genocide cannot be applied in relation to the Armenian claims without any Court hearing and a legal decision which there is none against Turkey. Instead, the Armenian Diaspora is seeking help/demand from the US politicians by resorting to political means to achieve legitimacy for their cause.
On another note, I urge you to consider some of the many books and articles written in support of the falsehood of the Armenian genocide claims. Obvious one being the book by the French historian Prof. Yves Bénard; “Genocide Armenien, et si on nous avait menti?; The Armenian Genocide, what if we were lied to?”
Dear Honourable, I would like to appeal to your sense of justice, impartiality and humanity when considering the impending decision and please take notice of the Turkish people’s feelings and thoughts.
Yours sincerely,
Orhan Tan,
Major General (Rtd)