by Nikitas » Wed Aug 19, 2009 12:59 am
Big Oz,
the treaty of Lausanne describes the minorities left in Greece and Turkey as moslem and orthodox christian respectively. That is the officially agreed title and officialdom in Greece is sticking to it, and from what I see so it is in Turkey.
The propaganda machine of Turkey tried, unsuccesfully, to incorporate the Pomaks and the Rom in their ranks. I say unsuccesfully because the Turks of northern Greece do not mix with these two sub minorities. Take a trip to the areas of Komotini and Xanthi and you will see how things are.
Note that every single citation you provide is from the 80s. We are now 20 years later and conditions are not the same. There are self styled Turkish members of parliament, officials in local government and school books are from Turkey. Land is freely bought and sold and some of the biggest recipients of EU agricultural grants in Thrace are from the moslem minority (Turks and Pomaks).
Re the district of Evros, the eastern most district of Greece I suggest you read up on the provisions made in the treaties. It was agreed from the start, back in 1923, that this district would not have any moslem communities. From what I know the same goes for the other side, Adrianople and its district have no christian orthodox communities.
Religious leaders are appointed, as per the treaty of Lausanne and will continue to be so as long as Turkey insists on maintaining the formal arrangements for the appointment of the patriarch. It is a tit for tat situation.
As an active member of the hunting scene in Greece I also happen to KNOW that these people are allowed to own firearms, a sure sign that they are not mistrusted by the government or the police. In our hunting association meetings we provide Turkish translators for the representatives of hunting clubs. The Pomaks do not seem to need translators. This is personal perception, for which I cannot provide citations. I can post some p hotos showing the translators sitting next to club presidents if you like. It is also a personal perception that as soon as the formal proceedings are over and we sit down to eat and drink the Turks do not need translators.
As to the events of the Greek war of independence etc, any English book on European history aimed at A level or undergraduate students will give you the relevant facts. What further citations do you need for the fact that Ibrahim, son of Mohammed Ali of Egypt landed in Morea and depopulated large areas because he was promised the land if he put down the revolt? Or citations of naval engagements of the Balkan wars. Too many citations make the forum boring.
By the way, I did not go through Greek secondary school. All my secondary education was in England, where I got my info from. Are you accusing my teachers at A level and university at promoting Greek propaganda?
