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>>But why defend a government that so obviously commited awful acts?

I admire your drive to get to the truth and you remind me of myself when I was your age. It is very difficult to discover everything that happened in those days, but one thing is certain: No side in this tells the complete truth. I yet have to discover it, this even though I have read accounts from both sides in this matter of the Armenians and Turks.

Here's my take.. The Russian Empire in the late 18th century started her policy to expand her influence over the Orthodox Christians. Many of these were within the Ottoman Empire. The result of this was the demise of many a Turk and many an Othodox. The Armenian tragedy occured toward the end of the Empire, and this was a most desperate time - the Empire was in it's death throes, noone cared who got stiffed anymore. The Armenians in Eastern Turkey paid a heavy price. All they wanted to be was clients of the Russians.. This was not met with sympathy by the Turks. One decision seemed rational, to move the Armenians away from the Russian front. Sadly, many perished during the moves.

The loss of life during the moves, or deportations as some call it, was not surprising particularly when compared to an army advance on Sarikamis left 100,000 dead to the elements before the army of 125,000 even arrived there...

If we want to find culprits, we can do so on all sides. Yet I have a load of Armenian friends in Istanbul, whom BTW I would entrust my life, which rules out the notion of a genocide. There was no systemic extermination of Armenians in Turkey, but a series of campaigns badly designed to prevent the Eastern provinces to fall to the Russians.

After the Russian revolution the Armenians were left to the French. The French drew some lines on a map, and the Armenians expelled (or killed) all Turks living within those borders. A few years later the French had left no political will to support the Armenian map they had drawn, and so they were swept.

Life is a cruel thing, Cleburne. We have been cruel to each other. Difference is that Armenia is a fly and Turkey is a swatter. Where we go from here depends on how much common sense Armenia is willing to apply.

Adios.

I still disagree with you on some points- but I doubt either of us will convince the other of anything. We live in the present. I suppose I am something of an idealist- I desire freedom for people everywhere, and my heart aches at the oppresion of others. Perhaps it is foolish idealism to desire the freedom of others. Oh well- I will anyway. I think Turkey is on an upward scale, and merely hope they do not repeat past mistakes. They certainly have a tough road cut out for them, and I hope them all the best.