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WHAT IS “RELOCATION”? DOES IT MEAN “GENOCIDE”?
The Arabic originated word
“tehcir” means “emigration / immigration”, it definitely not
means “deportation” or “exile”. Hence the law commonly known
as the “Tehcir Law” is the same as “Temporary Law On The Military
Measures To Be Taken For Those Who Resist The Governmental
Acts And Supplementation’s.” The word used to explain the
implementation in line with this law is “tenkil” in
the Ottoman language and means “transport- not the equivalent
of “deportation”, “exile” or “proscription” in Latin originated
languages.
The relocation, which was
started with the orders of Talaat Pasha, and approved by the
Government and the Parliament as a measure against the Armenian
riots and massacres, which had arisen in a number of places
in the Country — pre — dominantly in Van province, was only
implemented only in the regions in which such riots and massacres
affected the security of the fronts directly. The first area
was Erzurum, Van and Bitlis Vicinities which formed the rear
part of the Caucasian — Iran Front; and the second was Mersin
— Iskenderun Region which formed the rear part of the Sina
Front. In both of these regions, Armenians had collaborated
with the enemy and involved in activities to facilitate the
enemy’s invasion.
Later, the scope of the immigration
was widened in order to include the Armenians in the other
provinces, who rioted, collaborated with the enemy and screened
the activities of Armenian Gangs. Although the Catholic and
Protestant Armenians were excluded from immigration at the
beginning, later those whose harmful activities were observed,
were also relocated.
Since 1915, numerous papers,
reports, books, etc. were written and published about the
immigration implementation. The Armenians, by using false
documents have succeeded to deceit the World for a long time.
The rumor about Armenian holocaust (!) which expressed at
first as three hundred thousand and later increased to three
million has no basis at all. In fact, although English and
French authorities have extensively studied the Ottoman archives
during their occupation in Istanbul have failed to find even
a single document hinting about such holocaust.
Had the Ottoman State intended
to make genocide on Armenians; could not they realize such
an act at the places where the Armenians live? Why would it
be necessary “to immigrate” them for such an intention? Why
did they undertake the significant fiscal and material costs
of their security, safety, health and food of the immigrating
Armenians? During this immigration and re-settlement process
which lasted approximately 1,5 year from May 1915 until October
1916, why would the central and local administrations take
measures to ensure the lives and properties of Armenians in
spite of the difficult war circumstances? In addition, would
it be necessary to accept great administrative, military and
financial burden —as if opening a new front- to protect and
secure these people?
The answers to these questions
shall be sufficient to understand the real intention of the
Ottoman State. Also there is no logical explanation that why
the Ottoman State suddenly changed its policy towards a community
which had always been called as “millet-i sadika” (loyal people)
due to their being really faithful to the Government. Hence
the party whose attitude had changed was not the Ottoman Government,
but the Armenians who were deceived by the independence promises
of Russia and the Entente States.
In conclusion, it can be said
that the Armenian Immigration which was a necessary measure
to ensure the State Security and Safety is among one of the
most successful transportation and re-settlement processes;
and has no intention whatsoever to annihilate Armenians.
Reference:
Halacoglu, Prof. Dr. Yusuf, Ermeni Tehcirine Dair Gerekceler
(1915), TTK Yayini, Ankara, 2001.
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