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To: Wuli; Eleutheria5
Yes, Russia was at war with Germany, the Ottoman Empire was an ally of Germany and not having much success fighting the Tsar's Russian army and Russia had no mercy on Turkish civilians. Armenia was an ally of Russia.

Though the 1917 Revolution took Russia out of W.W.I if I remember history nevertheless the Bolsheviks accepted Russia's ally Armenia as a Soviet "republic."

In the mean time there's Kaiser Wilhelm II's Germany in Turkey.

"German Responsibility in the Armenian Genocide: A Review of the Historical Evidence of German Complicity," by Vahakn N. Dadrian.

I have not read the book. I have read reviews. The author does NOT (repeat, does NOT) excuse the Ottoman Empire -- he documents the German-Turkish alliance that existed at the time of W.W.I. Kaiser Wilhelm II wanted a German - Middle East empire (or at least he wanted German control there). The Republic of Turkey has acknowledged the horror that the Armenians were victims of barbarous Ottoman Empire methods but will not use the word "genocide" for reasons explained in replies above. I honestly believe that Turkey has a valid point asking about the hundreds of thousands of Turk civilians killed by the Ottoman Empire's W.W.I enemies.

"Dadrian thinks that the Armenian genocide is also an issue of international law which the West has failed to address. . . .A commission on these atrocities, which issued its final report on March 29, 1919, accused Turkey and its allies (the Germans) of using barbarous and illegitimate methods against the Armenian citizens. Again, a committee of jurists in 1920, commissioned by the Council of the League of Nations, concluded that the official order to deport the Armenians en masse 'was a violation in international law' (p.l9). Two German generals, Bronsart (on July 25, 1915) and Boemich (on October 3, 1915), who served as members of the military mission in Turkey, are said to be responsible for ordering the Armenian deportation." [My emphasis]

Tens of thousands were forced into Iraq where the Armenians were killed or taken captive (mostly the females) by Kurds. The book contains tons of information and names of German and Ottoman Empire officials and their "barbarous and illegitimate methods against the Armenian citizens."

20 posted on 12/22/2011 4:48:02 PM PST by WilliamofCarmichael (If modern America's Man on Horseback is out there, Get on the damn horse already!)
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To: WilliamofCarmichael

Your contribution further demonstrates the complexity of the issue; a complexity lost on the simplistic general public narrative of the case. Thanks; for what you have added.


21 posted on 12/23/2011 12:19:09 PM PST by Wuli
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To: WilliamofCarmichael

One of my college chums married someone who had relatives on the receiving end of Ottoman/Turk violence against the Greek millet and Armenians. Once the spouse learned of my STUDIES, just plain what I was studying, my bud and I had to break off even knowing each other.

I was studying all things Islamic, but I wasn’t Muslim.


27 posted on 12/23/2011 1:19:50 PM PST by combat_boots (The Lion of Judah cometh. Hallelujah. Gloria Patri, Filio et Spiritui Sancto.)
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