WHAT A WRONG STEP and UNACCEPTABLE DECISION!!!

Honorable Ridgway,

WE FOUND YOUR DECISION TOTALLY WRONG AND BACK STEP FOR UNFRIENDLINESS!
WE STRONGLY URGE YOU TO RETHINKING YOUR MOVE...

As the Australia-Gallipoli Friendship we strongly condemn the Parliament of South Australia's acceptance of so-called Armenian genocide that is back step of friendship and goodwill in between Australia and Turkiye.

This recent movement is another example of politicising the history by moving backward today’s values to century ago that is unacceptable and totally misleading of the parliament and th Australian public. Now, we do not want to give all details of why your parliament is wrong. However many evidences prove that there were two ways of massacre but it wouldn’t be accepted as genocide.

Despite of the truth some kind of minds would not accept the evidences from the Turkish side of historians and archives they rather assume fictions s the fact! Since the petrol and other natural source in the Middle East and Caucasus neither Turkiye nor Azerbaijan( ref: Khojali Massacre: http://www.geocities.com/CapitolHill/5078/index.htm ) will never be right because of the western hypocrisy!

( You may refer:
http://www.ermenisorunu.gen.tr/english/archive/index.html http://www.tallarmeniantale.com/
http://www.ausgallipoli.net/FactsOfArmenianAllegationsIndex.htm ... many more)

Coincidently, I am in Turkiye now, introducing our societies' book called: ‘Johnny Turks-Memoirs on Gallipoli’, in which was compiled from honest Australians who fought in Gallipoli. I was fascinated by many of these memoirs. As the society thought them they should be read by many others too. ( Therefore, we made the Turkish version of the book is now available in Turkiye. )

Since 18th of March 2007, I am telling and explaining all these stories to everyone in Australia and in Turkiye, trying to spread to everyone, how our soldiers were ( Turkish and Australian) courageous, respectful, honest and most importantly they were fair to each other ( most of the time, especially after the truce).In the followings, you may find mostly Turkish side of wordings but at least these memoirs show and reflects the Australian honesty.
One way of looking the history will not help to recover of anything but will give huge damage to future generations. Is that what the Parliament of South Australia want? We honestly don’t want this to happen in Australia!!!.

What we want is looking at the positive side of the history as the followings;

[Hoping that such as our positive style of approach o history will give all of us a change to reshape our relations in every way of our life in the multicultural Australian society that we always proud to live in ... ]
Here are the some positive wordings from our book:

"Turks have treated our captured men and officers excellently" The diary of the Aus. Official Corres. C.E.W.Bean

“You will hear extraordinary horrible stories practiced by Turks. Well, don’t believe a word of them. They are grossly exaggerated if not wholly false. You will be surprised at the gentlemanly way the Turks has fought us." Jim Haynes (Cobbers - Stories of Gallipoli 1915 p. 178)

" I reckon the Turk respects us, as we respect the Turk, Abdul's a good, clean fighter - we've fought him, and we know" Lieutenant Oliver Hogue

"The Turks have always proved themselves perfectly willing to have armistices and have actually asked for one at Helles which was refused by our General Staff. " Ashmead-Bartlett's Diary,1915 " They (Turks) too were fighting for their country. Good and fair fighters. No. They fought very fair and honestly like us. Both sides lost their very valuable men.” [E.W.BARTLETT - was born in Australia , 1891. 11. Light Horse Regiment. One Hundred years old. He was one of last two hundred who left the Dardanelle.]

"The Turkish sniper understood that we were searching for him. He shot once and the doctor got wounded. When he realized that he was a doctor, he didn’t shoot again.”Exerted from Sydney Alexander Moseley, former war correspondent during the Gallipoli Campaign ”

“ After the terrible punishment inflicted upon the brave but futile assaults all bitterness faded … The Turks displayed an admirable manliness. … From that morning onwards the attitude of the Anzac troops towards the individual Turks was rather that of opponents in a friendly game."
[ Charles. E Bean, the Australian official historian, The Story of Anzac, Vol II, Sydney, 1924, p.162 ]

"The Anzacs left Gallipoli without hatred in their heart for their enemy or bitterness at the incompetence of their own high command.” A.K. Macdouggall, Australian historian

“ If the seeds of this joint respect were planted at Gallipoli; it ripened in the dust and snow of Korea. The Turks' relish for hand-to-hand fighting,their first-class leadership, their discipline under fire… these were attributes the Australians in Korea possessed themselves and admired in others.”Australian journalist Harry Gordon

many more in the book...

Please rethink carefully again for the sake of better Australian values
and for our friendship efforts,
Yours sincerely,
Julia Gul Arslan On behalf of the Australia-Gallipoli Friendship Society Inc. ( est. in 2002)


J.Gul Arslan Founder of the Australia-Gallipoli Friendship Society Inc.2002 'Peace and Harmony in Australia, Peace and Harmony in the Universe' www.ausgallipoli.net Blogs:English:http://proudturks.blogspot.com/http://faq-armeniandilemma.blogspot.com/Turkish:http://auscanakkale.blogspot.com/http://gularslan.blogspot.com/

DİLEKÇE KAMPANYASI HAKKINDA DUYURU

Tarih: 30.03.2009


Bilindiği üzere, Avustralya Parlamentosu'nda Güney Avustralya Senatörü olan Senato Başkan Yardımcısı Alan Ferguson, 18 Mart 2009 tarihinde Senato'da yaptığı konuşmada, Adelaide'daki Güney Avustralya Göç Müzesi'nde 20 Aralık 2008'de açılan "Pontus" plaketi ve bu münasebetle Güney Avustralya Eyaleti Çokkültürlülük, Adalet ve Muharip Gaziler Bakanı Atkinson tarafından yapılan kabul edilemez içerikteki konuşmaya yönelik tepkisini ortaya koymuş; Avustralya Türk toplumunun Avustralya’ya yaptığı katkılar ile Atatürk’ün Anzak annelerine seslenişinden övgü ile söz etmişti.

Bu konuşmasının ardından Senatör Ferguson’a karşı malum çevrelerce bir protesto kampanyası başlatıldığı öğrenilmiştir. Türkiye dostu olan ve ülkemiz aleyhindeki asılsız iddiaları Avustralya Federal Senatosu’nda açık şekilde eleştiren Senatör Alan Ferguson’a olan desteğimizin, vatandaşlarımız ve soydaşlarımız tarafından gönderilecek teşekkür mesajları ile ayrıca ortaya konmasının yararlı olacağı değerlendirilmektedir.

Bu çerçevede, NSW Türk Kuruluşları Konseyi Başkanı Dursun Candemir tarafından internet ortamında bir e-dilekçe kampanyası başlatılmıştır. https://eposta.mfa.gov.tr/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.gopetition.com/online/26558.html adresinden erişilebilen e-dilekçenin ad, soyad ve e-posta adresi belirtilmek suretiyle imzalanması mümkündür. (Linkin çalışmaması halinde, sözkonusu adresin doğrudan adres çubuğuna/web browser’a yazılması suretiyle anılan dilekçeye ulaşılabilir.)

Avustralya’daki Türk basın-yayın kuruluşları ile internet üzerinden faaliyet gösteren Türk haber sitelerinin, ayrıca kişisel web sayfası bulunan vatandaşlarımızın da, sözkonusu e-dilekçenin bulunduğu yukarıda kayıtlı web adresine, internet sayfalarında link vermelerinin faydalı olabileceği düşünülmektedir.

Diğer yandan, Senator Ferguson’a doğrudan teşekkür etmek isteyebilecek vatandaşlarımız için de adıgeçenin iletişim bilgileri aşağıda sunulmuştur.

Senator the Hon Alan Ferguson
Senator for South Australia
Deputy President of the Senate
Phone : (02) 6277 3658
Fax : (02) 6277 5822
E-mail : http://au.mc01g.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=senator.ferguson@aph.gov.au

26 Mart 2009


DUYURU

1. Güney Avustralya Parlamentosu üst kanadı Yasama Konseyi’nin (Legislative Council) (Yasama Konseyi) "Ermeni soykirimini insanlığa karşı işlenmis en buyuk suclardan biri olarak tanidigi"na iliskin bir onergeyi 25 Mart 2009 tarihinde kabul ettigi ogrenilmistir.

2. Güney Avustralya Parlamentosu Yasama Konseyi'nde Liberal Muhalefet lideri David Ridgway tarafindan sunulan ve Isci Partili Bernard Finnigan tarafindan desteklenen onergede, Avustralya Federal Hukumeti de 1915 olaylarini resmen "soykirim" olarak tanimaya cagrilmaktadir. Guney Avustralya Parlamentosu’nda kabul edilen onergenin metni asagida sunulmaktadir:

"The Hon. D. W. Ridgway, pursuant to notice, moved - That this Council recognises that the Armenian Genocide is one of the greatest crimes against humanity and -
I. joins the members of the Armenian-Australian community in honouring the memory of the innocent men, women and children who fell victim to this genocide;
II. condemns the genocide of the Armenians and all other acts of genocide as the ultimate act of racial, religious and cultural intolerance;
III. recognises the importance of remembering and learning from such dark chapters in human history to ensure that such crimes against humanity are not allowed to be repeated;
IV. acknowledges the significant humanitarian contribution made by the people of South Australia to the victims and survivors of the Armenian Genocide; and
V. calls on the Commonwealth Government to officially condemn the genocide of the Armenians.
On motion of the Hon. T. J. Stephens, the debate was adjourned until Wednesday, 25 March 2009."

3. Guney Avustralya eyaletinin, uzun bir suredir ulkemize hasim gruplarin yogun etkisi altinda bulundugu ve bu baglamda sozkonusu karsit gruplarin kampanyalarinin odagi haline geldigi gozlenmektedir.

4. Konu Buyukelciligimizce yakindan izlenmekte ve gerek Federal gerek yerel duzeyde her turlu girisim yapilmaktadir. Bununla birlikte, Avustralya toplumuna katkilari tum kesimlerce takdir edilen degerli vatandaslarimizin, ulkemiz aleyhindeki asilsiz iddialari siyasete alet eden bu girisime karsi sessiz kalmayacaklari dusunulmekte; vatandaslarimiz ve soydaslarimizin hassasiyetlerini ve tepkilerini demokratik ve yasal yollardan etkin sekilde ortaya koyarak, anilan girisimi protesto etmelerinden memnuniyet duyulacaktir.

Saygi ile duyurulur.

South Australia passes Armenian Genocide motion
27.03.2009 01:15 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/

Armenian National Committee of Australia (ANC Australia) delegation was present as South Australian Parliament's Legislative Council passed a motion recognizing the Armenian Genocide as "one of the greatest crimes against humanity".

The motion, introduced by the Hon. David Ridgway MLC (Leader of the Liberal Opposition in Legislative Council) and seconded by the Hon. Bernard Finnigan (Member of the Labor Government in Legislative Council) went through unopposed, and sees the Upper House of SouthAustralia's parliament join the New South Wales parliament in condemning "the genocide of the Armenians and all other acts of genocide," ANC Australia reports.

However this motion is unique, as it is the first to include recognition of recently-uncovered material detailing the significant humanitarian effort by the people of South Australia who aided the victims and survivors of the Armenian Genocide almost a century ago.

South Australians, as part of the global Near East Relief effort, answered to calls for aid by donating clothing, money and infrastructure - an orphanage in Lebanon which housed the child survivors of the attempt by Ottoman Turkey to exterminate its Christian-Armenian minority.

When introducing the motion a fortnight ago, a proud Mr. Ridgway said: "I would like to recognise South Australia's role in the first major international humanitarian relief effort. As was the case for the genocide itself, that effort was not broadly publicized.

"Mr. Ridgway added: "It goes without saying that such acts as the Armenian genocide epitomize prejudices against race, religion and culture. For most Australians those attitudes are difficult tocomprehend but, unfortunately, they remain commonplace in many societies today."Mr. Finnigan also addressed the house in seconding the motion: "In light of growing international awareness of the Armenian genocide - and given the horrific nature of the genocide itself - it is time for we South Australians to do our part."ANC Australia Political Relations Officer, Mr. Vache Kahramanian commended Mr. Ridgway, Mr. Finnigan and their Legislative Council colleagues for recognizing what he described a "proud intertwining of histories for Armenian-Australians".

He said: "It is fitting tht South Australia is the first to honor this significant moment in Australian history - the first time this great nation came to the aid of a needy people a whole world away."Mr. Kahramanian added: "It is important for nations like Australia to recognize and condemn all acts of genocide, as some - like the Armenian Genocide - remain unpunished."Mr. Ridgway commended the Armenian-Australian community and ANC Australia for their excellent leadership.

I am grateful to be in an ongoing working relationship with the Armenian community," he said.

"The Armenian National Committee is dedicated to a campaign which advocates recognition of the genocide, and today's motion is also a tribute to its tireless efforts on behalfof the Armenian community."

Letter to Senator, the Hon Alan Ferguson

Subject: Your Speech on 18 March 2009
Turkish - Australian Relations

Dear Senator, the Hon Alan Ferguson,

As the Australia-Gallipoli Friendship Society, we read your inspiring speech in the Senate on the 18 March 2009, in regards to the Hon. Michael Atkinson’s an unfortunate blaming talk on Turkey which was made in the Labor government in South Australia recently.

Mr. Ferguson, we deeply share your concern that in such actions that should not ever happened in between Australian-Turkish relations since our common and unique historical values that is a model for many nations.

As a friendship society we aim and encourage a common bond of affection between every society, rather than animosity in the beautiful multicultural Australia which we believed that animosity breeds animosity; it is a vicious circle.

Considently, I am in Turkey now (founder of the society), introducing our societies' book (*) called : ‘Johnny Turks-Memoirs on Gallipoli’, in which was compiled from honest Australians who fought in Gallipoli. As many, I was fascinated by these memoirs and as the society thought them to be read by many others too. Therefore, the Turkish version of these stories are now available as a book, now in Turkey.

Since 18th of March 2007, I am telling and explaining all these stories to everyone in Australia and in Turkey now, trying to spread to everyone, how our soldiers were ( Turkish and Australian) courageous, respectful, honest and most importantly they were fair to each other, ( at least time to time ) even when they were as enemies…

In the followings, you may find them mostly Turkish side of wordings but at least these memoirs show and reflect the Australian honesty…

Hoping that such as these will give us a change to reshape our relations in every way of our life in Australian society.

Here are the some wordings from our book:

"Turks have treated our captured men and officers excellently"
The diary of the Aus. Official Corres. C.E.W.Bean

“You will hear extraordinary horrible stories practiced by Turks. Well, don’t believe a word of them. They are grossly exaggerated if not wholly false.
You will be surprised at the gentlemanly way the Turks has fought us.
Jim Haynes (Cobbers - Stories of Gallipoli 1915 p. 178)

" I reckon the Turk respects us, as we respect the Turk, Abdul's a good, clean fighter - we've fought him, and we know"
Lieutenant Oliver Hogue

"The Turks have always proved themselves perfectly willing to have armistices and have actually asked for one at Helles which was refused by our General Staff. "
Ashmead-Bartlett's Diary,1915

" They (Turks) too were fighting for their country. Good and fair fighters. No. They fought very fair and honestly like us. Both sides lost their very valuable men.”
[E.W.BARTLETT - was born in Australia , 1891. 11. Light Horse Regiment. One Hundred years old. He was one of last two hundred who left the Dardanelle.]

"The Turkish sniper understood that we were searching for him. He shot once and the doctor got wounded. When he realized that he was a doctor, he didn’t shoot again.”
Exerted from Sydney Alexander Moseley, former war correspondent during the Gallipoli Campaign ”

“ After the terrible punishment inflicted upon the brave but futile assaults all bitterness faded … The Turks displayed an admirable manliness.
… From that morning onwards the attitude of the Anzac troops towards the individual Turks was rather that of opponents in a friendly game.‘
[ Charles. E Bean, the Australian official historian, The Story of Anzac, Vol II, Sydney, 1924, p.162 ]

"The Anzacs left Gallipoli without hatred in their heart for their enemy or bitterness at the incompetence of their own high command.”
A.K. Macdouggall, Australian historian

“ If the seeds of this joint respect were planted at Gallipoli; it ripened in the dust and snow of Korea. The Turks' relish for hand-to-hand fighting,
their first-class leadership, their discipline under fire… these were attributes the Australians in Korea possessed themselves and admired in others.”
Australian journalist Harry Gordon

Thank you again
Yours sincerely,
Julia Gul Arslan
On behalf of the Australia-Gallipoli Friendship Society Inc. ( est. in 2002)

[ PLEASE SENT YOUR THANK YOU LETTER TO : Sen Alan Senator FERGUSON (South Australia) In REGARDS TO HIS SPEECH WHICH HAS GIVEN ON THE 18TH OF MARCH 2009...(*)

2784) Action Alert: Please Congratulate Sen Ferguson of Australian Senate Armenian Genocide Resource Center NEWS !!! 20 March 2009


senatorFERGUSON'S EMAIL ADDRESS : >>>>>> [senator.ferguson at aph.gov.au ]


The Senate Proof Adjournment Turkish –Australian Community Speech

Wednesday18 March 2009

(*) BY AUTHORITY OF THE SENATE

Commenwealth Of AustraliaParliamentary Debate
The Senate Proof Adjournment
Turkish-Australian Community Speech
Wednesday, 18 March 2009
THE SENATE SPEECH
Source Senate
Page 31 Proof Yes
Questioner Responder

Speaker Ferguson,
Sen Alan Senator FERGUSON (South Australia) (7.33 pm)—

Mr President, as you are well aware, I rarely speak on adjournment, but tonight I have been moved to speak because of a series of events that have taken place this week.

In particular, I want to say to the Senate that this year is the 40th anniversary of the formal Agreement between the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia and the Government of the Republic of Turkey concerning the Residence and Employment of Turkish Citizens in Australia.

The aim is to celebrate and commend the achievements of the Turkish community here in the Commonwealth of Australia that has been created as a result of this agreement in the 40 years since its implementation.

I was most concerned to receive a visit from the Turkish ambassador earlier this week in which he expressed his deep concern about a speech that was made by the Hon. Michael Atkinson, the Attorney-General, Minister for Justice and Minister for Multicultural Affairs in the Labor government in South Australia. I had not thought that I would be surprised by anything that the South Australian Attorney-General said in relation to the Turkish community, particularly as most state parliaments do not have a role in foreign affairs in the same way that the federal parliament does.

I have had the privilege of visiting Gallipoli and being a guest of the Turkish government, I will concede that at the outset. I have had the privilege of going to Gallipoli, where our two countries were once enemies. Since that time, the Commonwealth of Australia and the Republic of Turkey have established a unique relationship and a bond forged in the blood of young men from both our nations. This uniqueness, at the core of the deep-rooted relations between our two countries, gained even more momentum following the unforgettable reconciliatory remarks of the founder of the modern Turkish republic, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, to the mothers of the fallen Anzac soldiers.

He said:You, the mothers who sent their sons from far away countries, wipe away your tears. Your sons are now lying in our bosom and are in peace. After having lost their lives on this land, they have become our sons as well.There is no statue or plaque more moving than the one at Ari Burnu, on the beach at Gallipoli.

The words of Ataturk are there for all Australians and others to read.So you can imagine how surprised I was to be told this week by the Turkish ambassador that Michael Atkinson, the South Australian Attorney-General, in a speech to the Greek association in South Australia —and the Pontians in particular—made the following statement. I cannot believe that a minister would say this.

He made reference to:The nationalist Turks led by Mustafa Kemal's forces and their frenzied followers began to persecute them through beatings, murder, forced marches and labour, theft of their properties and livelihood, rape, torture and deportations.

The Turkish ambassador found that most offensive, and a wholly unjustified caricature of the truth. It can only cause deep ill-feeling, not the least since Mustafa Kemal was the leader of a nation that was, at that time, fighting for its survival against an invasion from Greece—a point that the Attorney-General in South Australia seemed to overlook.We can all try to rewrite history. There were atrocities in the past.

We are talking about events that took place almost 100 years ago. There are always debatable issues.

We have the situation with the Armenians, with the Pontian Greeks and with a range of other people who currently are trying to put today's moral judgment on events that took place 100 years ago.

These events cannot be accurately depicted. I have no doubt that there were atrocities on both sides. But those of us today find it very difficult to pass judgment —we should not be passing judgment when we do not know the full facts.The Turkish nation is now a friendly power. Members of the Turkish community have integrated into Australian society and become wonderful Australians.

To be reminded of events that took place in history that long ago, and a biased interpretation if I may say so, is certainly not warranted.

I acknowledge along with a lot of others the unique relationship that exists between Australia and Turkey—a bond that has been highlighted by the commitment of both our nations to the rights and liberties of our citizens and to the pursuit of a just world, which was highlighted in a statement of Kemal Ataturk: 'Peace at home; peace in the world.' I commend the Republic of Turkey's commitment to democracy, to the rule of law, and—particularly in the region in which it lives—to secularism, which is something that is quite unique in that part of the world.On this, the 40th anniversary of the formal Agreement between the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia and the Government of the Republic of Turkey concerning the Residence and Employment of Turkish Citizens in Australia, we pledge our friendship with, our commitment to and our enduring support of the people of Turkey as we celebrate this important landmark together.In relation to the Attorney-General in South Australia—and I am not saying this personally; I am saying it because I think it was a very ill-judged statement to make. It was obviously made in the context of being at a Greek function where it was suitable for him to make these remarks. But such a speech coming from a minister in a state government is very damaging to the otherwise excellent relations between our two countries.

I would contrast that with the conciliatory words to the mothers of fallen Anzacs at Gallipoli of the great statesman and founder of the Turkish Republic, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk. I commend the Senate to take note of the statement that was made by the minister but I also commend to the Senate that in fact we reaffirm our commitment to the wonderful friendship that exists between our two countries. I fully understand the concern expressed by the Turkish ambassador who, as well as being a wonderful representative of his country in Australia over the past three years, I count as a personal friend.


Dear Friends, Please read the speech by Senator Ferguson in the Australian Senate and if you could spend five minutes sending him a note of thanks it would
I am sure be greatly appreciated.
Regards
Ataman

To: senator.ferguson at aph.gov.au

Subject: RE: Your Speech on 18 March 2009 Turkish - Australian Relations

Dear Senator Ferguson,

I have had the privilege of reading your speech in relation to the above mentioned topic in the Senate on the 18 March 2009. I would like to convey my most heart felt gratitude to you and your family for such an inspiring speech. One can well glean from the content, text and context of your speech that you are a man of honour and integrity, which are two very rare character traits in many politicians of . . the modern era.
I thank you from the bottom of my heart for putting onto the public record such important facts as you have.
I myself am a Turkish born Australian citizen and it is very rare that we as a community ever get the Australian "Fair Go" from any politician but especially the Australian Media.

I grew up in this beautiful nation of ours facing racism and continual allegations about how barbaric the Turkish race was and still is. The political ploy employed by Pope Urban when he called on the first crusades is still alive and being used to this very date.
The most disappointing and hurtful of all is when democratically elected Politicians use the same or similar rhetoric as used by Pope Urban all those centuries ago, and the fact that the Australian Media by and large fall for it hook line and sinker.

Yet when a Turk tries to put forward their side of the story (whatever issue or topic it may be on) we are continually shut down and not heard.This great Nation of ours needs more men and women of integrity and honour such as yourself if we are to successfully navigate through the troubled waters that lay ahead of us.
Sir I wish to mention that I was like many other Turks a committed Labor voter for many years until relatively recent times, however after your speech and dare I say the former Prime Minister Howard's stance on the fallacious Armenian Genocide issue I will forever VOTE Liberal and I will try and convey that message to as many Turks as I can all over Australia.Regardless of any perceived faults that Mr Howard may have had, I also admire him and his utmost honourable stance on the alleged Armenian Genocide issue which in reality cost him his seat at the last Federal Elections.

That fact has not been missed by the Australian Turkish Community. He too could have pandered to the Armenian Voters in his former electorate like that grubby vote grabbing dishonest Maxine Mckew. Mr Howard will always be remembered by the Australian Turkish Community as a man of principle, integrity and honour, as you will too.

The month of April is nearly upon us again, and another ANZAC Day nearing, what certain sections of the Armenian community could not achieve via acts of war, treachery, treason and terrorism, they are now trying to achieve via political means. Like many thousands of other Australian Turks I hope that our voices will be heard one day by Australian politicians but especially the Australian Media and that we get a fair go in putting our side of the story to various issues.

Certain sections of the Armenian community are now trying to disgrace the memory of ANZAC day in this country by supposedly connecting their fallacious genocide claims with ANZAC day.

There is much that I would like to say but alas I do not wish to bore you with details.
You have provided me with great hope that my three children will grow up in an Australia that is fair and Just and that they will not face the same accusations that I faced whilst at school of coming from a barbaric race that slaughtered many millions of Armenians, Greeks and others.

We truly do live in the Luckiest Country in the world.
Sir I can not thank you enough.
My warmest regards
Ataman Atlas

From: Sukru Server Aya Sent: Friday, March 20, 2009 1:29 PMTo: 'senator.ferguson at aph.gov.au'

Subject: Your speech of March 18th, 2009,-

Sent to me by friends in the Turkish Consulate of Melbourne and also

by: Armenians-1915.blogspot.com

Dear Senator Ferguson, March 20th, 2009Rather than just saying you only a “full hearted THANK YOU”, given my age, my past relations with Australia and world wide friends, including Greeks, Armenians any all “decent persons” of all faiths, colors or nationalities, I wish to give you a few leads, to assure you that you have spoken very correctly, but may be a little short.

First of all, since I had visited your beautiful country with my wife back in 1984 and spent more than 3 weeks visiting the whole coast starting from Brisbane, all the way to Adelaide where I stayed three days spending one day on the Murray River and have also visited every place in Tasmania, I had the pleasure to enjoy the courtesy and the warm hearted treatment everywhere we have been, and even on the Cook Mountain.

I have only the photo of my uncle who was wounded four times and died at Gallipoli before I was born. My father was also there but in the navy! Although I am a retired “importer-distributor of workshop equipment”, I did (and still do) considerable reading on history and hence I have read enough to compile my readings in an English book, which I will be pleased to send you or Senate library a signed copy! Yet, it is already available on the internet for downloading and reading by all parties. If you will kindly click on page 325 of my book, you will see a list of wartime propaganda fabrications and the effects in the AU press. The inconsistencies regretfully continue today thanks, to some trouble fomenting leaders in your Armenian and Greek communities. Please also observe the letter of the old Ambassador, Mr. P. F. Petersen, to “The Australian” back in 1994.

As you can understand, my complaint is that the troubles in the world are the result of “hiding and distorting truths”. I will be honored If you will spare the time to read the contents of my speech in LondonUnfortunately, very few people devote the time and self-dignity to defend TRUTH when most people would immediately join the majority not knowing the responsibilities and consequences. Sir, you have my full admiration!

A similar slandering campaign is being carried by your ABC TV-radio, which voices only one side and the fully wrong information! It is very sad that such great corporations permit themselves to be used as tools of propaganda of one party only!

Few minorities enjoying the comfort of living in Australia, but carrying their own very old grudges and conflicts 100 years old and 30.000 km away.

These are implanted or carried like a virus, or blood feud, by third generations who know nothing do not even understand that crime and punishment can not be hereditary! Yet, they prove their “patriotism by spreading hatred”.

For further clarification, you may refer to:
ABC-TV-Visit-Turkey
ABC-TV-Australia-Response
Letter-of-Concern-to-ABC-TV1
Open-Letter-To-Sabrina-Tavernize Esteemed Senator, permit to clarify that Turks were at all times friendly to ANZACS, but it was ANZACS who were brainwashed back then to save Christianity and win medals, and carried to the other side of the world to die for imperial benefits!

Sir, let me end my message by giving you the link of a new web site prepared for Gallipoli, where your friends can view the places where almost half a million people died for “good or stupid” reasons and what Turks think and care today for the old fights where both many ANZACS and Turks had “proven their humane attachments”.

There are still some “decent and self-respecting persons”! [Turkish Armenians] who operate the blog here, are striving to protect and defuse TRUTH! If you will care to give any reply, I believe that “Turkish Armenians” will be delighted to share it with their large community of English readers all over the world and Australia.
Yours most cordially,
Sukru Server Aya - Istanbul

http://armenians-1915.blogspot.com/2009/03/2784-action-alert-congratulate-sen.html

ANC Australia Spreads Its Wings

"ANC Australia" adli Ermeni kurulusunun internet sayfasinda yer alan "ANC Australia Spreads Its Wings" baslikli aciklama ikinci madde de sunulmaktadir.

* * * *

"ANC Australia Spreads Its Wings
February 27, 2009

The Armenian National Committee of Australia (ANC Australia) has recently undertaken steps to serve the greater Armenian-Australian community’s interests by expanding its activities across the nation’s states.

With the great percentage of Armenian-Australians based in Sydney, it was always going to be the centre of the committee’s activities. It was these activities in 1997 which led to New South Wales (NSW) becoming the first Australian state to recognise the Armenian Genocide.

„Through ANC Australia’s advocacy, the greater NSW community has become politically aware of Armenian issues and understands our committee’s role in representing these issues in the public arena,“ said ANC Australia Political Relations Officer, Mr. Vache Kahramanian.

However the peak public affairs committee of the Armenian-Australian community realises that many of the issues of concern are not NSW-centred.

Mr. Kahramanian added: „Issues such as recognition of the Armenian Genocide as an unpunished dark chapter in human history is a global battle and our committee is responsible for raising awareness throughout Australia.“

With headquarters based in Sydney’s North, ANC Australia last year formalised chapters in Western Sydney and Melbourne, and has now expanded its activities to cover the Australian Capital Territory, South Australia, Western Australia and Queensland.

„In the past two years, we have met with over 100 legislators and politicians throughout Australia,“ said ANC Australia President, Mr. Varant Meguerditchian. „We have discussed issues including the Armenian Genocide, Nagorno Karabagh, Armenia-Australia relations and specific community concerns ranging from transport and infrastructure to health and education.“

Mr. Meguerditchian feels some of the states with smaller Armenian populations have begun to take „serious notice“.
„ANC Australia has a network of dedicated Armenians in Adelaide, Perth, Brisbane and Canberra who play an integral role in our nationwide representation,“ he said. „It is thanks to these individuals that ANC Australia is able to spread its wings and reach out to lawmakers throughout Australia.“ "