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Robert Fisk: Caught in the deadly web of the internet

posted 18 years ago by VarlOatesIII
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Robert Fisk: Caught in the deadly web of the internet

Any political filth or personal libel can be hurled at the innocent

Published: 21 April 2007

Could it possibly be that the security men who guard the frontiers of North America are supporting Holocaust denial? Alas, it's true. Here's the story.

Taner Akcam is the distinguished Turkish scholar at the University of Minnesota who, with immense courage, proved the facts of the Armenian genocide - the deliberate mass murder of up to a million and a half Armenians by the Ottoman Turkish authorities in 1915 - from Turkish documents and archives. His book A Shameful Act was published to great critical acclaim in Britain and the United States.

He is now, needless to say, being threatened with legal action in Turkey under the infamous Law 301 - which makes a crime of insulting "Turkishness" - but it's probably par for the course for a man who was granted political asylum in Germany after receiving an eight-year prison sentence in his own country for articles he had written in a student journal; Amnesty International had already named him a prisoner of conscience.

But Mr Akcam has now become a different kind of prisoner: an inmate of the internet hate machine, the circle of hell in which any political filth or personal libel can be hurled at the innocent without any recourse to the law, to libel lawyers or to common decency. The Armenian-Turkish journalist Hrant Dink was misquoted on the internet for allegedly claiming that Turkish blood was "poisonous"; this total lie - Dink never said such a thing - prompted a young man to murder him in an Istanbul street.

But Taner Akcam's experience is potentially far more serious for all of us. As he wrote in a letter to me this month, "Additional to the criminal investigation (law 301) in Turkey, there is a hate campaign going on here in the USA, as a result of which I cannot travel internationally any more... My recent detention at the Montreal airport - apparently on the basis of anonymous insertions in my Wikipedia biography - signals a disturbing new phase in a Turkish campaign of intimidation that has intensified since the November 2006 publication of my book."

Akcam was travelling to lecture in Montreal and took the Northwest Airlines flight from Minneapolis on 16 February this year. The Canadian immigration officer, Akcam says, was "courteous" - but promptly detained him at Montreal's Trudeau airport. Even odder, the Canadian immigration officer asked him why he needed to be detained. Akcam tells me he gave the man a brief history of the genocide and of the campaign of hatred against him in the US by Turkish groups "controlled by ... Turkish diplomats" who "spread propaganda stating that I am a member of a terrorist organisation".

All this went on for four hours while the immigration officer took notes and made phone calls to his bosses. Akcam was given a one-week visa and the Canadian officer showed him - at Akcam's insistence - a piece of paper which was the obvious reason for his temporary detention.

"I recognised the page at once," Akcam says. "The photo was a still from a 2005 documentary on the Armenian genocide... The still photo and the text beneath it comprised my biography in the English language edition of Wikipedia, the online encyclopedia which anyone in the world can modify at any time. For the last year ... my Wikipedia biography has been persistently vandalised by anonymous 'contributors' intent on labelling me as a terrorist. The same allegations has been repeatedly scrawled, like gangland graffiti, as 'customer reviews' of my books at Amazon."

Akcam was released, but his reflections on this very disturbing incident are worth recording. "It was unlikely, to say the least, that a Canadian immigration officer found out that I was coming to Montreal, took the sole initiative to research my identity on the internet, discovered the archived version of my Wikipedia biography, printed it out on 16 February, and showed it to me - voilà! - as a result."

But this was not the end. Prior to his Canadian visit, two Turkish-American websites had been hinting that Akcam's "terrorist activities" should be of interest to American immigration authorities. And sure enough, Akcam was detained yet again - for another hour - by US Homeland Security officers at Montreal airport before boarding his flight at Montreal for Minnesota two days later.

On this occasion, he says that the American officer - US Homeland Security operates at the Canadian airport - gave him a warning: "Mr Akcam, if you don't retain an attorney and correct this issue, every entry and exit from the country is going to be problematic. We recommend that you do not travel in the meantime and that you try to get this information removed from your customs dossier."

So let's get this clear. US and Canadian officials now appear to be detaining the innocent on the grounds of hate postings on the internet. And it is the innocent - guilty until proved otherwise, I suppose - who must now pay lawyers to protect them from Homeland Security and the internet. But as Akcam says, there is nothing he can do.

"Allegations against me, posted by the Assembly of Turkish American Associations, Turkish Forum and 'Tall Armenia Tale' (a Holocaust denial website) have been copy-pasted and recycled through innumerable websites and e-groups ever since I arrived in America. By now, my name in close proximity to the English word 'terrorist' turns up in well over 10,000 web pages."

I'm not surprised. There is no end to the internet's circle of hate. What does shock me, however, is that the men and women chosen to guard their nations against Osama bin Laden and al-Qa'ida are reading this dirt and are prepared to detain an honourable scholar such as Taner Akcam on the basis of it.

I don't think the immigration lads are to blame. I once remember listening to a Canadian official at Toronto airport carefully explaining to a Palestinian visitor that he was not required to tell any police officer about his religion or personal beliefs, that he should feel safe in Canada.

No, it's their bosses in Ottawa and Washington I wonder about. Put very simply, how much smut are the US and Canadian immigration authorities taking off the internet? And how much of it is now going to be flung at us when we queue at airports to go about our lawful business?

http://news.independent.co.uk/world/fisk/article2469270.ece

[–] evren4_ever 18 years ago

I think it is time to stop "copy-paste" style. I think it is time to put something really serious here. I give you the links:

http://armenians.1915.googlepages.com/...tzoutiun.pdf

http://www.tallarmeniantale.com

First check them out. But be objective. By the way I have to say that the first document is banned in Armenia. So how is this going to be solved if Armenia doesnt look good to the things that dont support them. Everybody must be objecitve to make result.

Take care...

Be good...

[–] VarlOatesIII 18 years ago

You do the Armenians a great service when you present anti-genocide arguments with links to such sites as "tallarmeniantale." It leaves the Armenians with the opportunity to sit back and watch the Turkish "calamity" in action. Literally -- I mean this -- literally, you broaden your grave with each reference to a site like the aforementioned. You may as well argue that the earth is flat. It's outright ridiculous.

That's as "objective" as anyone can get without having to ignore your existence. No wonder the world mocks the term "Turk" and "Turkey." I don't appreciate the fact that negative images come to mind at the utterance of those words, but you should only blame yourselves for it. It's not the rest of us misrepresenting your people/your nation/the "image" of Turks/Turkey. It's you. It's the majority of the Turkish people who incur the mockery upon every asinine argument made against the historical factualness of a crime that was committed by their ancestors.

The day is going to come that, when you invoke the TAT site, you will be ignored altogether by everyone. Genocide recognition isn't growing because the world is being duped, as the Turkish side has foolishly claimed. It's growing because the facts cannot be ignored, distorted, or revised with impunity.

[–] evren4_ever 18 years ago

ok that is your opinion about the second link. so, what about the first link?

[–] evren4_ever 18 years ago

and why do you insult Ataturk. what if someone comes and insult someone u love very much? dont you get very upset. there is a topic here saying that Atatürk is a sick man. you dont know him and i advice you the book of Alfred Mango's book about Ataturk. Ataturk never married a child at that age they were his girls. That girls were grewed up by Ataturk. I request you to close that topic. I mean please close the topic who opened it.

[–] VarlOatesIII 18 years ago

Yes. If someone insults a person that I love, I would be very upset. But just to remind you: You, too, don't "know" Ataturk, just as much as I don't know George Washington. We only know what we read. But there is more to consider in regards to Ataturk, because his history is more recent than Washington. The average scholar on the history of Turkey is very aware that Ataturk was a brutal dictator and that he established his state by brutal means. He might have (most agree that he did) possessed the "strength" to lead, but his objectives were seen to by brutal means.

Another thing that the Turkish people need to understand is that Ataturk is a public figure. Everyone has a right to an opinion about him, for good or bad. A strong people do not hesitate to be critical of themselves and their "heroic" figures. The day that Turks can "hate" Ataturk and express their hatred for him, just as much as they can "love" and express their love for him, is the day that Turks are "free." Until then, they are only slaves of the "empire."

"Andrew" Mango is a reputed genocide denier and apologist (by making excuses on behalf of your ancestors). Do a search on him for more information.

[–] evren4_ever 18 years ago

so you say that we are right to insult Ataturk.

[–] evren4_ever 18 years ago

if you hate a heroic figure and express your hatred then you became "free". ok.
but there are still going to be people who will love the heroic figures and that is going to make a chaos not a free life style. if someone critisises a heroic figure then no one says nothing to him it is the person's opinions.
but expressing hatred is something that an enemy can do. this occurs for every country. can you or someone else in USA express your HATRED for Washington or another heroic figure of history of your country. To ciritisise and to express hatred are not the same things. the thing that you say brings chaos.

take care...

[–] VarlOatesIII 18 years ago

if you hate a heroic figure and express your hatred then you became "free". ok.

Yes. You are a free nation if you can love or hate your greatest figures. Of course, it doesn't mean that there aren't going to be people who are going to hate you for it, or attack you for it. But as long as you are legally protected to express your opinion, you are free. That's what I mean. One's opinion should not be a matter of law. I should not have to worry about going to jail or being penalized for having opinions contrary to popular opinion.

but expressing hatred is something that an enemy can do.

That's like those critics who say that, "By not supporting the war in Iraq, you are 'unpatriotic.'" That's nonsense. Expression of any view is a matter of freedom, first and foremost.

can you or someone else in USA express your HATRED for Washington or another heroic figure of history of your country.

Of course. But it doesn't mean that we should. Just knowing that I have the freedom to do so is what matters, that I don't have to worry about being in trouble for it. ANYONE can do so in the U.S. You can write books about it if you want, or anything. As long as you don't physically harm or incite harm against anyone.

To ciritisise and to express hatred are not the same things.

Sure, they can be. It's a matter of the intention. One can make hateful criticism. Even so, we should all have the right to free expression, no matter how awful our views. Knowing that I can say anything at any time, as long as I am not inciting bodily harm, is a matter of "freedom."

[–] evren4_ever 18 years ago

thank you for your opinions. excuse me but i wonder your profession? :)

and i dont agree with you with the part about hatred. if someone express his/her hatred about anyone or anything that can be provacative. so people must be very careful when expressing their opinions even if they dont agree with what i am saying. because when people get provacated they can can fight. i hope u understand what i am saying. and that "damages the freedom of expression". at least this is what i think.

[–] VarlOatesIII 18 years ago

I own a private business. I'm also a part-time "activist."

if someone express his/her hatred about anyone or anything that can be provacative. so people must be very careful when expressing their opinions even if they dont agree with what i am saying. because when people get provacated they can can fight.

That's the point. Hate me (as an example, for the sake of this discussion) as much as you want, but don't physically harm me. If you cross that line and physically harm me, then you will suffer the consequences (whatever that may be in legal terms). This last point can extend to someone taking the law into his or her hands. If that becomes the case, then that person (or those persons) will also suffer the consequences in legal terms. You can't have varying degrees of freedom. Freedom has to be black and white. For example, in this case, you can hate me, but don't physically harm me (or threaten to harm me). BTW, I don't mean you and I, personally. I'm just referencing us as an example.

[–] VarlOatesIII 18 years ago

No, I didn't say that "we" are right to criticize (or "hate") Ataturk. My point is that we have the "right" (the freedom) to criticize (or "hate"/"love") Ataturk. It's about "rights." It's not a question of morality (of being right or wrong), but of freedom. I agree that, just because someone has the "right" to criticize or hate, doesn't mean that they should. But they do have the right, as long as they are not physically harming anyone.

[–] VarlOatesIII 18 years ago

No, it's not my "opinion." There have been many posts on this board to prove the falsehood of that site on scholarly grounds. I'm not even sure if the Turkish government refers to that site in their arguments.

I'm not sure that I know about the first link. I'll take a close look when I have more time.

As for "copy/paste" acts on my part, it doesn't change the fact that I am copying and pasting factual information. I can understand your natural defense of your ancestors. It's just that, for a Turkish person, just as it had been for a Kurdish person, eventually, you will have to face the fact that your ancestors committed genocide. It's not a simple matter with which to deal, but it is a fact of history. This is not my opinion. I don't mean to overuse the word, but it is a "fact." Do a bit of research. You will find that the Kurds have apologized to the Armenians for their part in the genocide. They admit their guilt without question. The same must be done by Turkey, on behalf of the ancestors of the Turkish people.

You should be working to prosper gloriously with the Armenians, not denying a fact of history, which only serves to keep you back and backwards. Now, this last piece is my "opinion." :)

[–] VarlOatesIII 18 years ago

This is what I get when I try to link to it: http://armenians.1915.googlepages.com/...tzoutiun.pdf

[–] evren4_ever 18 years ago

i think i gave a wrong link. sorry for that. i will later look for the correct one and send it here but dont have time right now.

[–] evren4_ever 18 years ago

http://armenians.1915.googlepages.com/DASHNAGTZOUTIUN.pdf

i hope it is correct this time.

[–] VarlOatesIII 18 years ago

It is correct.

There was a short discussion about that piece here: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0273435/board/thread/60327176

[–] evren4_ever 18 years ago

so????
i think this is much more important than the things that the neutral historians say. he is first prime minister of Armenia.
The man, who is saying these, is the FIRST ARMENIAN PRESIDENT in the history.
And this is banned from Armenia. This book is not allowed to be published in Armenia. Why dont you first go and tell your armenian borthers about "freedom of expression"? Later you can come and say me about freedom of expression. you can say there is a freddom of expression in Armenia and let it be in Turkey too. But there isnt any freedom of expression in Armenia and you dont see them. Turkey is more liberal than Armenia in every subject.

[–] VarlOatesIII 18 years ago

LOL. You guys are getting this stuff from TallArmenianTale. No one is buying it. Name one neutral historian that has verified the "authenticity" of that "document."

It's called Turkish propaganda. Not even your most adamant deniers throw that piece around as "evidence." Also, consider what "TigranTheGreat" pointed out.

You're grasping at straws. The Armenian Genocide is a historical fact and you've realized that the days are near for you to admit to it. Why do you think that the Armenians reject any Turkish-requested "committee" to investigate the matter? Because it would bring in to question the Armenian position on this matter, and the Armenians are way too intelligent for your games.

The evidence against your ancestors is irrefutable. Heck, your own allies (Kurds, Germans) have unquestioningly accepted the facts of the genocide, and they've even contributed to the evidence. This is just another senseless attempt by the Turkish government (and Turks, such as yourself) to delay the inevitable: That you will have to accept the facts of the Armenian Genocide.

The sooner, the better. Admit it and move on.

[–] evren4_ever 18 years ago

LOL LOL LOL. I havent laughed for a long time like that. thanks a lot for that. because you are very lame. you act like a brainwashed person. and i dont say that there is no kiling. yes there are murders. and there are a lot of murders. thats ok. thats not the point. the point is that if this is a genocide or not. Turkey has got very strong evidences in his hands. And they say "come on, lets do this on a committee which has neutral historians." But Armenians dont accept it they run away from this like a kid who is running away from monsters :D
You say that "neutral historians say there is a genocide" but when Turkey invites you for the work of neutral historions for this subject you run away.
The fact is that there are a lot of turks dead in that period. who were klled by armenians with the help of russians. dont u know the photos of the armenian's photos wearing russian soldier uniforms. well, i advice to read history. You have to know the aims of russia at first. There are lots of graves of turks in that period and that means that both sides have great trageddies. i hope you are understanding what i am talking about but i dont think that you will understand because u dont want to understand.
My armenina girlfriend here laughs with me too right now :D she says that "we are turks" and "why dont they leave us alone?"
the armenins who are born in turkey call themselves turk because they love ATATURK and they know thier ideas.
I am sorry for you but you know nothing abuot Ataturk and Kemalism. If you were to know them then you would know that every citizen of turkey is called Turk. And thats what the Armenians do. (I mean the citizens.)
Thats not just for the armenians thats for every race(such as kurds,greeks) who are connected to turkey with the citizenship. That is a nationalism which is not racist.
We are different.We just want peace. Nothing more. We love Ataturk so much. I advice to look the news for the protests in Turkey that happened today for Kemalism. Thats what we are. "peace at home, peace in the world" this is what Ataturk said to us.
And yesterday there was a song contest eurovision. Turkey gave Armenia 12 points which is the gretaest poit a coutry can give. And Armenia gave nothing to us. I hope i have been clear. Thank you.

[–] 18 years ago

[deleted]

[–] evren4_ever 18 years ago

hey please be polite. i am trying to tell you something here.

[–] evren4_ever 18 years ago

is this what you guys do when someone tells something in a polite way that u dont accept?????????????????
and by the way i am discussing here with varloatesIII and he is a nice man to discuss. please you go to your hole.

[–] VarlOatesIII 18 years ago

Turkey is more liberal than Armenia in every subject.

"Islam" (as is the state religion of Turkey) and "liberal" are antithetical to each other, so rethink that one. Armenia needs a lot more work to do towards progress, but it's come further ahead in its relatively short existence as an independent state than the Turkish Republic has in its 80+ years. The Armenian Diaspora, as you may know, is also involved with exporting "freedom of expression" to Armenia. The Armenians (worldwide) have made great strides in this regard, and they will only continue to progress. Be more concerned about Turkey. Islam is putting its grip tightly around your country and people, and the day may come when you won't have a free voice. Your focus should be on removing Islam from Turkish daily life. If "Islam" does take control of your country, you may never recover. That should be your primary concern at this time. I believe that the Armenians can help you to that effect, but it is up to your people to see this.

Now, is this what you want to discuss, (somewhat) irrelevant comparisons between Armenia and Turkey? I'm interested in progress.