Bet-Nahrain Forum

***Speech of Victorian Member of Parliament regarding Armenian, Assyrian and Pontian Genocide ...*** *PIC*

Posted By: Concerned Assyrian (d220-238-223-151.dsl.vic.optusnet.com.au)
Date: Thursday, 11 May 2006, at 9:29 p.m.

On the fourth of May 2006 the Honorable Jenny Mikakos, Member of the Legislative Council of Victoria, Australia, rose and addressed the House on the Armenian, Assyrian and Pontic Greek Genocide.

Jenny Mikakos’ Speech:

"On 19 May the Pontian community in Victoria and around the world will commemorate the 87th anniversary of the Pontian genocide that occurred in present-day Turkey. Between 1916 and 1923 over 353 000 Pontic Greeks living in Asia Minor and in Pontos, which is near the Black Sea, died as a result of the 20th century's first but less-known genocide. Over a million Pontic Greeks were forced into exile. In the preceding years 1.5 million Armenians and 750 000 Assyrians in various parts of Turkey also perished.

The Pontic people lived in Asia Minor and in Pontos from ancient times. When the Turkish nationalists took power after the collapse of the Ottoman Empire, a deliberate policy of creating 'Turkey for the Turks' was adopted, essentially to rid Turkey of its Pontian, Armenian and Assyrian Christians. The process began with Christian businesses being boycotted, leading to bankruptcies and property being confiscated. Eventually intellectuals and community leaders were rounded up and executed; women were raped and enslaved. Most victims died from exhaustion or dehydration on forced marches or work in the so-called labour battalions. These events were recorded by American, German and Austrian diplomats of the time.

Unlike Germany, which has taken responsibility for the Jewish holocaust, Turkey has never apologised to its victims. The Turkish government must begin the reconciliation process by acknowledging these crimes against humanity. The suffering of the victims of the Pontian genocide cannot and will not be forgotten."

The Premier of Victoria's office has been flooded by complaints by Turkish elements who are attempting to silence the Honorable Member of Parliament Jenny Mikakos and her attempt to have Turkey acknowledge the Genocide. Hence below is a letter or text (which you may alter or you may write your own) to be sent to the below addresses. Show your support for Hon. Jenny Mikakos MP!

e-mails are as follows:

Premier of Victoria Office: premier@dpc.vic.gov.au

Premier of Victoria Personal: steve.bracks@parliament.vic.gov.au

Labor Party: info@vic.alp.org.au

Letter:

The Hon Premier Mr Steve Bracks

and the

Australian Labor Party

Dear Sirs,

Re: Speech by Jenny Mikakos on the Armenian, Assyrian, Pontian Genocide

I write to commend your member Ms Jenny Mikakos on her recent speech in the Legislative Council on the Armenian, Assyrian, Pontian Genocide.

I believe that it is high time that attention is drawn to the victims of the Armenian, Assyrian and Pontian Genocide and I congratulate you for cultivating the sensitivity that has permitted one of your key members to do so.

Undoubtedly, there are elements that violently dispute the existence of the Armenian, Assyrian, Pontian Genocide, despite this being supported by countless contemporary news reports and ambassadors' briefs, notably those of American Ambassador Mr Henry Morgenthau. The existence of a Genocide of the Christian population of Anatolia during and in the aftermath of World War One has been acknowledged by France and several US states. Despite this, it is heartwarming to perceive that in a healthy democratic system, members of Parliament can freely express their views and have these respected, whether one agrees with such a view or not.

I firmly believe that in highlighting the Genocide, Jenny Mikakos is actively calling for a psychological reconciliation between members of our society, calling them to put the past behind them and unite. This is a noble deed that should be commended and it saddens me to perceive that this call has provoked an enraged reaction by a vocal minority that will neither admit, apologize or forget that which the victims of the Genocide are so eager to put behind them and in doing so, are risking alienating the Greek, Assyrian and Armenian communities of the world.

Once again I express my support for Jenny Mikakos and call on the Victorian and Australian Parliament to acknowledge the Armenian, Assyrian and Pontian Genocide.

Speech of Jenny Mikakos MP