How kind of you to call us 'genocidal'!.. Welcome to 'Constantinople'!..

While the separatist terrorist organization PKK was announcing its so-called decision to dissolve itself, it claimed that Kurds had been subjected to "denial and annihilation" and declared that it rejected the Treaty of Lausanne and the 1924 Constitution.

Not a peep was heard from the AKP, which never misses an opportunity to boast about being "indigenous and national," nor from the MHP, which claims to be the "sole representative of Turkish nationalism." Instead, thanks and gratitude were offered to "PKK founding leader Abdullah Öcalan, the delegations conducting the contact and negotiation traffic between Imralı-DEM-Kandil, and the DEM co-chairs, executives, and deputies"!..

To those who do not want to understand or see the determination of the PKK and its political extensions regarding the so-called genocide, we remind them that the DEM and its predecessor, the HDP, have always argued that not only Kurds but also Greeks, Armenians, Assyrians, and Jews were subjected to "genocide," and have demanded that the Republic of Turkey "confront historical truths and accept the genocide," "apologize to the victimized peoples and faiths," and "resort to paths of restorative justice."

Nationalism That Ends at the Border

Beyond the PKK, there are many countries that attempt to brand the Turkish Nation as "genocidal" and are uncomfortable with Lausanne. One of them is Greece, our neighbor with a population of 10 million.

Since 1994, they have been making claims of a so-called "Pontic" genocide, since 1996 an "Armenian" one, since 1998 a "Minor Asia" one, since 2022 an "Eastern Thrace" one, and since last April 6, a so-called "Thrace" genocide.

They consider May 19, which we celebrate as the Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day, to be a "Pontic genocide remembrance day." Greek officials were as enthusiastic this year as they are every year. However, the pro-government media did not inform the Turkish Nation about this, settling only for announcing the "condemnation" issued by our Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Let us inform you.

Greek President Konstantinos Tasoulas stated that "on the day of remembrance for the genocide of the Pontic Greeks, he respectfully commemorates the hundreds of thousands of victims who lost their lives during the Ottoman Empire period," and then demanded that this so-called genocide be recognized internationally.

Prime Minister Mitsotakis, while commemorating the "Pontic Greeks" on both his X and Facebook accounts, said, "The Pontians were defeated, but they were not conquered."

Defense Minister Nikos Dendias, whom the government and its media consider the sole adversary in Greece, spoke of the "353,000 victims of the Pontic Greek genocide" and emphasized that "defending historical truth is their greatest national duty."

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Ankara, headed by the "dear friend" of Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, George Gerapetritis, also shared Prime Minister Mitsotakis's message.

Although all these delusions were published on the morning of May 19, not a single reaction came from any of the government members or their partners, who instantly respond to the slightest criticism within the country.

Only around 7:00 PM, a written statement was issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, "condemning the delusion-filled statements of the Greek authorities" and reminding them of historical facts.

But immediately afterward, they again spoke of the "relations between Turkey and Greece that have been progressing with positive momentum in recent years" and demanded an end to such initiatives that aim to harm this.

The highest leadership of the Greek state reveals that this is a national policy by saying "Pontic genocide," while our officials still say "initiatives aimed at harming relations"!..

What Did They Do to Cedi Osman?

Is it just the state administration? The Greek media is in the same mood.

Here is what they did to our national basketball player Cedi Osman, who plays for the Panathinaikos team, because of his May 19 post: "We are working with all our might to carry the legacy that Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk gifted to us youth with determination and resolve."

They showered him with reactions, using expressions such as: "Osman wrote a message in favor of Atatürk on the day of remembrance for the genocide of the Pontians... Turks who earn big money in Greece showered praise on Mustafa Kemal... Great provocation... There is a reaction against Cedi Osman."

Last year, they first excluded national player Samet Akaydın, who played for the Panathinaikos football team, from the squad and then sent him away because he posted a congratulatory message for the May 19 Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day.

Vatican - New York - "Constantinople"

Something else happened elsewhere on May 19.

Patriarch Bartholomew, the head of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, which is a Turkish institution under the Fatih District Governorship according to Lausanne, attended the inauguration ceremony of the newly elected Pope Leo XIV on May 18. Minister of Culture and Tourism Nuri Ersoy was also at the ceremony representing Turkey.

The next day, Bartholomew first visited our Ambassador to Italy, Elif Çomoğlu Ülgen. Then, he held a private meeting with Pope Leo XIV and invited him to Turkey for a meeting to be held on the occasion of the 1700th anniversary of the First Council of Nicaea.

Pope Leo XIV is also the Head of State of the Vatican. Shouldn't this invitation have been extended at least by the Minister of Culture and Tourism or our Ambassador, along with Bartholomew?

But Patriarch Bartholomew is making this invitation with the claim that he is "Ecumenical," meaning the "head of state" of the Orthodox, in violation of Lausanne, and the Republic of Turkey is just watching like an outsider!..

Fortunately, Patriarch Bartholomew did not commemorate the so-called Pontic genocide, but Archbishop Elpidophoros, whom he appointed to the Greek Orthodox Church in New York and who is still a citizen of the Republic of Turkey, also in violation of Lausanne, spoke of the "tragedies experienced by the Pontic Greeks and Armenians," as well as "Syrians and others at the end of World War I," and prayed "for their eternal memory."

On the same day, Archbishop Elpidophoros set out from New York toward "Constantinople" for a "pilgrimage" in the direction of Nicaea.

It was reported that during this journey of Elpidophoros and other pilgrims, which will last until May 25, they "will visit the Mother Church of Constantinople, which is the holy center of Orthodoxy," "will be blessed by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew," and "will also visit places of religious and cultural importance throughout Constantinople."

While everyone is busy settling their historical scores, the Turkish Nation has been left so ownerless, and Turkey has turned into such a thoroughfare!..

Müyesser YILDIZ

May 22, 2025