As a consequence of unveiling of a plaque, on 20th December 2008, located at the Migration Museum in Adelaide, South Australia, commemorating the Genocide of the Pontic Greeks, it appears to be fairly essential that the following statement be issued by the Rector of Giresun University, which is a university located on the Black Sea Coast.
“It is very well known by everyone approaching to recent history objectively that after the Treaty of Mondros, signed in 1918, armed activities of the Greek gangs threw Anatolia into disorder, severely threatened the security of life and property , and precautions were taken accordingly.
Pontic Greek problem and genocide allegations are not based on a historical and scientific basis. This is an issue, which the governments, having designs on Anatolia, want to take advantage of so as to fulfil their aims by distorting the historical truths and misusing the scientists. The said issue and allegations bare no relation to reality.
The best example to this is the following declaration published in Trabzon in the issue of “İstikbal Gazetesi” dated 18th February 1921 by Trabzon Orthodox Community.
“It is, not only for today but also for tomorrow, our forever principle to be allies of the Turks forever, whom we considered to be asserting our law as well while asserting their rights.”
Turkey and the Turks are a country and a nation, at peace with their history. As a country and a nation we do not have a history that we cannot give account of and feel shame for. Turkish history is full of noble, humanistic and meritorious behaviours, displayed in the presence of badness and injustice towards themselves. The most well-known example to this is the Battle of Gallipoli. The Turks did not ask the Anzacs, coming from thousands of miles away and attempting to invade Gallipoli and Anatolia, “Why are you here?”. Instead, in the post-war era, the Turks embraced the Anzacs and treated them friendly.
It is necessary that everyone see that the creators of badness, the exaggerators of badness and the illuminators of badness will not be able to be the creators of goodness and beauty. As long as we desire a more peaceful and liveable world, we are supposed to seek after good and beautiful things.
Giresun University, located on the most beautiful shores of the Black Sea, is inviting you to bring a world of peace to light, to bring you, the humans together, to illuminate the good and the beautiful.
Respectfully submitted for your information.”
Prof. Dr. Osman Metin ÖZTÜRK
Rector of Giresun University
www.giresun.edu.tr
rektor@giresun.edu.tr
0090 454 310 10 03
0090 506 531 28 88”