Black Book (Talat Pasha)
| Author(s) | Talat Pasha (Murat Bardakçı) |
|---|---|
| Original title | Talat Paşa'nın Evrak-ı Metrukesi |
| Country | Turkey |
| Language | Turkish |
| Subject(s) | History |
| Publisher | Everest Yayınları |
| Publication date | 2008 |
| Pages | 272 |
| ISBN | 978-975-289-560-7 |
| OCLC Number | 318327565 |
Talat Pasha's Black Book (printed as "Talat Paşa'nın Evrak-ı Metrukesi") refers to the handwritten notes printed in a personal notebook form by the Ottoman Minister of Interior (later grand vizier) on the relocations of both Turkish-Muslim and Armenian Ottoman citizens during World War I.
It is disclosed in 2005 by the Turkish journalist Murat Bardakçı.[1] The book was handed over to him by Talat Pasha's widow, Hayriye Talat Bafralı. Along with a batch of other documents comprising letters he had sent her and telegrammes exchanged between Committee of Union and Progress members. In April 2006, Bardakçı re-edited the black book in full, adding parts that were missing in the first publication with the name "Talat Paşa'nın Evrak-ı Metrukesi".
Notes
| Armenian Genocide |
|---|
| Background |
| The Genocide |
| Deportation |
|
| Resistance |
| Responsible parties |
| Trials |
| Armenian population |
| See also |
The 1915-1916 resettlements cited in Talat Pasha Black Book of 702,905 Turks from regions under threat of occupation by Russian forces and of 924,158 Armenians. The cited figures do not fall in discordance with a 29 February 1916 letter sent to the US Secretary of State from the embassy in İstanbul reporting upon the number of Armenian immigrants (for Syria only).[2]
In accordance with 27 May 1915 Tehcir Law is qualified as exposing the genocide by one Armenian source which goes on to recall the clauses of the 1948 UN Convention on Genocide.[3]
Murat Bardakçı declared that Gomidas pirated and distorted his book and the publisher Everest has sued Gomidas on August 9, 2011.[4] In the introduction of his book historian Bardakçı explains that relocation was a large scale move of Armenians from locations with heavy population to other locations to spread them around within the country. For instance some Armenians were moved from Van to Izmit near Istanbul, some from Izmit to Kütahya (ei. Hudavendigar), and some from Kütahya to Afyon. He says "I sufficed with publishing these documents only, leaving the reader to comment and calculate for own. However, when calculating losses, it should be remembered that the difference between the population figures prior and after 1915 does not only indicate the number of those who lost their lives during relocation, but also includes those who chose to leave the country and go to Russia during combats [as Armenians deserted the Ottoman Army, changed sides under leadership of Karakin Pastermadjian (Armen Garo) and fought with Turks on the side of Russians [5] It should be noted that 644.900 Armenians returned home after Moudros Armistice in 1918 as stated in US archival documents [6] Wikipedia should have Armenian Genocide Allegations Category but not Armenian Genocide because there is no factual proof that a genocide has taken place. Please remember that at the end of 2.5 years enquiry at Malta Tribunals Prima Facie level of evidence could not be reached, and this was simply because there was no such intention.
Footnotes
- ^ "Turkish paper denies genocide (unsigned reproduction of Murat Bardakçı's 27 April 2005 article in Hürriyet)". Caucasian Knot, Moscow-based news agency. 28 April 2005.
- ^ "Despatch dated 8 February 1916 from the American consul in Aleppo reporting on the number of Armenian immigrants in his district and their needs". Gomidas Institute. 29 February 1916. Funds were libarated on the basis of the numbers provided.
- ^ "'Black Books' expose genocide". Ashot Ter-Grigorian, Caucasian Knot. 28 April 2005.
- ^ http://www.haberturk.com/yazarlar/murat-bardakci/656496-diyaspora-kitabimi-caldi
- ^ Güçlü, Yücel. “Allied Landing Schemes on Cilicia and Armenian Subversion,” in Armenians and the Allies in Cilicia, 1914-1923. University of Utah Press, 2010.
- ^ US ARCHIVES NARA, Microfilm No. T1192, Roll 8; Department of State Papers..., 86oJ.5811: From George R. Montgomery to Mr. Warren D.Robbins, April 26, 1921; T1192 R2. 860J/395. From Acting High Commissioner Dulles to the Secretary of State.
