...and to his descendants.
There was much jubilation and celebration throughout the Country of France in the last week of May 1998.These rejoicings were the the official recognition by the French nation of the Armenian genocide, a shameful affair in which your fathers wallowed.Althugh I don't believe everything I hear, I understand you showed extreme cruelty towards these people. It is also said that women had less to fear from your depradations than did little boys.This preamble is by way of confirming the small amount of consideration that has been shown towards the Ottomans from the earliest times. I am probably as guilty of such behaviour as anyone, though this is due to religious tradition as well as to a literary one (cf Victor Hugo), rather than from unworthy sentiment based on preconceptions about your genetic heritage.

I should, however, like to state my adherence to an ancient French tradition going back to King Louis - the fourteenth of that name. Then at his zenith, the Sun King drew up an alliance with the Great Turk, in the name of Christianity - but in the interests of the kingdom.Which brings us back to that last week of May.You appeared incensed at the homage paid to the Armenian people, and you issued a torrent of denials about the term "genocide" - which you claimed was wrongly used by the French authorities. And to reinforce your disapproval, you proposed to exclude French businesses from your public markets.Far be it from me to polish your slippers, but I feel that you have missed an opportunity to get your own back. France has had her own Armenia. And just like you, she refused to call it "genocide".

So, Guardians of the Heavenly Gate, please tell the French Republic to sweep her own front step. And when she throws Armenia at you, hit her in the face with this word - "Vendée".This argument of mine should not be seen as a pleniary indulgence on my part or on that of my friends.

I remain, dear Turcomen, very sincerely one of yours...

Rembarre!
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Chronicle of a Genocide
Letter to the Great Turk
The Vendée Wars retold for the grandchildren of the Republic
Alain Decaux: a turncoat
The Vendée Wars - 1998
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