'Genocide' Course for Teachers in the US

March 13, 2006
Zaman
By Ahmet Dinç

The Federation of Turkish-American Associations (FTAA) in the United States has taken the initiative to explain the true face of the so-called Armenian genocide. The project was launched in 2006 by the federation which believes the Armenian issue is not thoroughly explained to American teachers.

The FTAA, beyond the Atlantic, is exerting great efforts for the promotion of Turkey. As part of this project the federation aims at elaborating on the details of the so-called Armenian genocide, and so far 46 American teachers have been reached as part of this initiative.

It will be interesting to hear what the responses from those teachers have been.

In various cities across the US with a high Turkish population, the FTAA plans to establish "Turkish towns".

Well this is a novel idea. Will these towns have Turkish names too?

In the days following the "Turkish Day Parade," this year, "Peace Day Parades" will be started with the participation of various other nations.

Peace in Iraq? where else? May be US will appreciate help in Iraq and not parades in the USA.

The federation has also launched a campaign to send cards on special days, such as anniversaries and birthdays, to prominent US figures including President George W. Bush and pop star Madonna. It has also been reported that Turks living in the US had requested an imam be provided by the FTAA.

Let me see greeting cards to President Bush, Madonna and an imam. Well that makes perfect sense.

Establishing community associations such as the Turkish People's Union and the Cyprus Association, operating since 1956, Turks in America have increased the number of such associations to more than 40, and have managed the formation of the federation. From Turkey, Atilla Pak from Midyat in Mardin, was appointed as the FTAA president three months ago, and as head of the federation he hopes to shed light on the problems facing Turks, as well as the Armenian genocide allegations. The federation, operating in the interests of the country, continues its struggle in several other areas such as lobbying for Turkey, Pak informs. The FTAA cooperates with organizations from nine countries to stage the "Peace Day Parades," and it will be a wholly Turkish production, Pak adds.

Atilla Pak from Turkey is showing a great understanding towards the survivors of the Armenian Genocide. He is heading FTAA to tell them that what they know is not really what it is. That he knows better what happened to their ancestors.

About a thousand Turkish restaurants operate in the US, according to the FTAA's newly elected president. As part of their activities, they will assemble a box to include three CDs, one will contain the Armenian Reality, and the others will have information about Turkey and will reflect the lives of Turks residing in the US. The evil eye, as part of the unique Turkish tradition, will also be added to this box bearing the slogan, "Not Turkey, but Turkiye" together with a tulip motif. Customers at Turkish restaurants will be presented with this box, as part of the new project initiated by the FTAA.

Atilla Pak should know that people in the West show great respect for those countries that atone for their past mistakes. That the right way for Turkey is not to hide the past but look at it with a critical eye deserving a great country. Everyone knows that Turkish people are good people and that is what everyone is counting on.

Note: Above are excerpts from the article. The full article appears here. Clarifications and comments by me are contained in {}. Deletions are marked by [...]. The bold emphasis is mine.