Turkey’s Consul General Sinan Kuzum in Los Angeles sent an objection letter to members of the Irvine City Council, who unanimously voted to erect an Armenian Genocide Memorial at the Great Park in Irvine, reports Zartonk Media.
Turkey’s Kuzum said, “I am of the opinion that this planned project will not serve for any good. This project will leave the Turkish Americans discriminated, isolated, and frustrated.”
To note, on February 28, the Irvine City Council unanimously agreed to erect an Armenian Genocide Memorial due to the efforts of the ANCA OC and the entire Armenian community.
Kuzum went on the deny the 1915 Armenian Genocide, calling it “the sufferings of the Armenians caused by unfortunate events in the past,” stating that they “understand their [Armenians’] feelings.”
He also shamed the Irvine City Council for not sending earthquake relief to Turkey after the earthquake and said, “We are so disappointed that this spirit was not able to reach Irvine, or, deliberately ignored for small political calculations.”
Zartonk Media obtained the objected letter sent by the Turkish Consul General in Los Angeles, Sinan Kuzum, to members of the Irvine City Council.
That letter runs as follows,
“I am writing to you to register our objection to the decision of Irvine City Council to commence a project to erect an “Armenian Genocide Memorial” at the Great Park in Irvine.
While we were so devastated with the earthquakes in my country and so busy to organize earthquake relief efforts here in California, we heard that our friends in Orange Country, where a large population of Turkish Americans reside, Irvine City Council voted unanimously to proceed with the said project.
Right after the devastating earthquakes, our neighbour Armenia sent aid materials to my people and Foreign Minister of Armenia paid a support visit to my country. We are so disappointed that this spirit was not able to reach Irvine, or, deliberately ignored for small political calculations.
I am of the opinion that this planned project will not serve for any good. This project will leave the Turkish Americans discriminated, isolated and frustrated. When I watched the video of the council meeting, I saw more than one Armenian community member who could present their positions. What about the opinions of the Turkish- Americans or other communities in Irvine? Is there any specific reason why they were not even given a chance to share how they feel about this project?
Let me make it clear. We, just like you, do respect the sufferings of the Armenians caused by unfortunate events in the past, and we do understand their feelings. And that was said publicly, too. Each year since 2014, my country has been paying its respects to the Ottoman Armenians who lost their lives under the harsh conditions of the First World War and the Turkish President has repeatedly conveyed his condolences to their descendants.
I am well aware of the fact that history, with its bitter memories, has an important role in our current relations. However, do we prefer to take part in the dialogue for a better future or would we rather turn a deaf ear to peace efforts and play the blame game?
It is the duty of policy makers to have a visionary approach with a view to establishing good neighborly relations. This is what we are doing right now back in the motherlands. Diaspora and third parties must follow suit.
Please consider these facts before you proceed with the said project.
Yours sincerely,
Sinan Kuzum Consul General””
