Greece, Turkey Relations - Massacres at Ponti, Chios and Smyrna

I received a comment from a Turkish author, and I would like to invite him to republish that note below this article, so that a debate might ensue here. I do have something to say regarding your discussion sir, so please let's open an intelligent debate.

I am passionate in my love for Greece and America, but you should also be aware of a few bits of trivia about "The Greek." While the majority of my non-American readers are Greek, I also have a few Turkish/American readers and even one Turkish friend in Constantinople who I often debate with, and enjoy a beer, ouzo or raki with as well. When a close relative of mine denied me a room in New York about ten years ago, it was my Turkish friend who offered me, a Greek, a place to sleep. There's a life lesson in that.

I agree with the theme of your note, which was let's move forward and look to peace, but you held a very one-sided Turkish viewpoint. Despite the memory of the horrible massacre that occurred in Ponti, the complete destruction of a community of 350,000 Greeks who resided along the coast of the Black Sea in what is today Northern Turkey, I can also look forward. This is the Greek nature in fact; our religion dictates it.

Let me note finally that this is not a website about Greece, and it is not in the business of spreading anti-Turkish sentiment. But, its founder is a Greek/American with deep ancestral injury served upon by the Ottoman Empire and Turkey. Please republish your comment. My heartfelt sympathies to those remembering the massacres at Ponti, Chios (Xios) and Smyrna where "The Greek" himself traces his roots back to (Anatolia and Hios).

Let me take this opportunity to recommend an interesting documentary of personal accounts of the massacres. I was recently offered a gift copy of "The Greek Holocaust," produced by Pavlos Kapetanopoulos. If you would like to purchase a copy, call him at 1-888-899-3576, and tell him Markos Kaminis, the Wall Street Greek, sent you. Pavlos would like to add to his film, and you may also discuss helping him to do that. He's specifically looking for survivors of the events to interview, and for funding.

One of my favorite Greek/American readers, who I enjoy hearing from often, sent me a movie entitled "America, America" by Elias Kazan. It's also a must see wonderful story about the period, and about Greek/American and Armenian/American immigration from Asia Minor. Thank you.

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