Is the “US Worse than Hitler in Iraq”?        

By: Amid Demirhan

Nov 27, 2004

The head of the “Turkish Parliamentary Commission on Human Rights”, Mr. Mehmed Elkatmis, has accused United States of America of “Barbarism” in Iraq, and has said the USA is “worse than Hitler” (Reuters, 11/26/04). This pattern of criticism of the United States by Turkish government officials started with Prime Minister Recep Tayip Erdogan (11/18/04, Erdogan complained to Vice President Chaney), then by Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul (11/23/04, while in Egypt complained), and with the statement above by Mr. Elkatimis, this anti-American rhetoric reached a new peak. In addition, many “Turks”, after Friday prayers, demonstrated against the USA and Israel (11/26/04…One has to remember that every Mosque in Turkey is built by the state of Turkey and every preacher' salary is paid by the state as well.) It is not a coincidence that this criticism started after the American and Iraqi armed forces recent victory in Falluja, and the substantive progress of democratization and peace in Iraq. All of these statements indicate that the anti-democratic and totalitarian forces in Turkey are extremely displeased with democratic development in Iraq, and with the European Union pressure for democratization in Turkey. Therefore, those who are pro democracy, westernization, and the creation of a federalization of Turkey, should stand up against forces of darkness and totalitarianism represented by many current government officials.

None of the above mentioned persons or entity has any legitimacy to talk about human rights, civilization, or to criticize the United States of America. In the past 81 years the crimes committed by the “Republic of Turkey” against its citizens are beyond comprehension. Still today in Turkey, including above mentioned gentlemen, the citizens do not have freedom of speech or freedom of worship, nor freedom of dress. In addition, a large number of citizens are not allowed to study or worship in their native tongues. After the American liberation of Iraq, the Iraqi people, despite everything, have more freedom today than any citizen of Turkey. The American and Iraqi freedom forces will overcome the terrorist and Islamic fanatics (Islamic Fanatics are worse than the Fascists in Italy or Spain in the 1930s and 1940s).

It is totally irresponsible by the above-mentioned persons and entities to criticize the USA. They, as government officials, are totally shameless people; today millions of the citizens of Turkey, when they see “Turkish Police or Military” in person or in vehicles passing by, are praying that the officials will leave without creating trouble.

The USA has been giving billions of dollars to Turkey for its development, and the only reason Turkey moved from one party system to the multi party system is because the USA made it a precondition for them before they could join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). The people of Turkey owe the United States their relative economic and political progress compared with the rest of the Middle East.

As a Kurd I always have been critical of the USA for not pushing hard enough for democratization in the Middle East, and many times the ignoring of the Kurdish nation’s natural and legal rights in its relationships with Middle Eastern dictators. The relative westernization in Turkey today, compared with the rest of the Middle East, and the hope for a full westernization of Turkey in the future, we owe to the United States of America.

Amid Demirhan

E-mail: ameddemirhan@hotmail.com

Florida, USA