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Zaman, Turkey
April 16 2005
Armenians React to Erdogan's 'Joint Research Commission' Offer
By aa
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has conveyed his proposal
to form a joint commission to investigate the events of 1915 to the
Armenian Minister of State in an official letter.
According to a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,
Erdogan emphasized, "Turkish and Armenian people share a common
history and geography in a sensitive area of the world. We have lived
together for many years but there are differences in evaluating and
commenting upon a period of their shared history.
These differences, which left bitter memories for both nations in the
past, do not make the relations between the two countries any easier
today either," said Erdogan adding these views are shared by main
opposition Republican People's Party leader Deniz Baykal also.
In his letter, Erdogan suggested that as a joint proposal from the
ruling party and main opposition party, a group consisting of Turkish
and Armenian historians should investigate the events of 1915 not
only in Turkish and Armenian archives but also in the archives of the
third countries related to the topic and to share the data with the
international community.
In response to Erdogan's proposal, some from the Armenian parliament
put forward the precondition that "the claims should be recognized
first". One of the coalition partners in power, Tasnaksutyun Party
Parliamentary group leader Levon Mkrtchian asserted that the alleged
Armenian genocide should be recognized and condemned by the whole
world. The Justice Block Secretary Victor Dalakian also alleged that
Turkey should recognize the genocide claims and offer an apology to
Armenians adding, "We can hold a dialogue with Turkey about all other
issues."
April 16 2005
Armenians React to Erdogan's 'Joint Research Commission' Offer
By aa
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has conveyed his proposal
to form a joint commission to investigate the events of 1915 to the
Armenian Minister of State in an official letter.
According to a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,
Erdogan emphasized, "Turkish and Armenian people share a common
history and geography in a sensitive area of the world. We have lived
together for many years but there are differences in evaluating and
commenting upon a period of their shared history.
These differences, which left bitter memories for both nations in the
past, do not make the relations between the two countries any easier
today either," said Erdogan adding these views are shared by main
opposition Republican People's Party leader Deniz Baykal also.
In his letter, Erdogan suggested that as a joint proposal from the
ruling party and main opposition party, a group consisting of Turkish
and Armenian historians should investigate the events of 1915 not
only in Turkish and Armenian archives but also in the archives of the
third countries related to the topic and to share the data with the
international community.
In response to Erdogan's proposal, some from the Armenian parliament
put forward the precondition that "the claims should be recognized
first". One of the coalition partners in power, Tasnaksutyun Party
Parliamentary group leader Levon Mkrtchian asserted that the alleged
Armenian genocide should be recognized and condemned by the whole
world. The Justice Block Secretary Victor Dalakian also alleged that
Turkey should recognize the genocide claims and offer an apology to
Armenians adding, "We can hold a dialogue with Turkey about all other
issues."