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AZG Armenian Daily #078, 30/04/2005
Armenia-Turkey
'WE MAY PERHAPS ESTABLISH POLITICAL RELATION WITH ARMENIA'
PM Erdogan stated informing that he had ordered to reconstruct Surp Khach
church of Akhtamar
On April 28, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan met with Miliet
newspaper's staff to give clarification for his statements about President
Kocharian's reply letter. It was published in April 29 issue article of
Miliet entitled "We May Perhaps Establish Political Relation With Armenia".
Miliet writes that Turkish PM gave green light to thorough political changes
and spoke of creating a resolution to lay foundation of a U-turn in the two
countries relations. Miliet conditions these shift in Erdogan's position by
Armenian President's reply to his letter where the latter indicated, "We
need first diplomatic relations established and then form a commission".
During his meeting with Miliet staff, PM Erdogan noted, "I do not say that
only historians should take up the Armenian issue. Let the political
scientists join them and the politicians draw their final conclusions. We
are ready to put up with our past. But are they? We cannot accept those who
confuse deportation with genocide. Kocharian tried to remind us in his
letter that that is an issue for politicians. We know that very well. But
politicians usually have a team. The team comprised of historians, political
scientists, archive workers does the work and presents us, and we take
decisions based on their studies. Without having done this, they demand
opening the borders. Very well, why do you keep on pushing the international
recognition of the genocide while you demand to open the border?"
Afterwards, Miliet indicates at another sign of Erdogan's goodwill: his
order to the Culture and Tourism Ministries to reconstruct Surp Khach church
of Akhtamar Island. "We have done assignments. Most likely the work is in
process. I demanded Mr. Atilla (tourism minister) to get in touch with
Armenian Patriarch and demand an architect for reconstruction. This is done
to avoid rumors that they ruined it and now are reconstructing improperly",
Erdogan said.
At the end, expressing hope that the Armenian side will give an adequate
sign, Erdogan reminded that Armenians do not accomplish UN Security
Council's resolution and European Council's decision and added, "We warn
them saying: 'You do not end your occupations'. But there is less resistance
in the issue of Kars Treaty. Their position shifted to positive. That's why
I wrote the letter. We can establish political relations and simultaneously
continue the works".
It's not excluded that Erdogan points to his offer to study the Armenian
Genocide by saying works. That is unacceptable. But it must be accepted that
Erdogan does not anymore put forward preconditions while speaking of
establishing political relations with Armenia, nor does he link these
relations with the will of 3d counties. That's is perhaps unprecedented for
the Turkish PM.
By Hakob Chakrian
Armenia-Turkey
'WE MAY PERHAPS ESTABLISH POLITICAL RELATION WITH ARMENIA'
PM Erdogan stated informing that he had ordered to reconstruct Surp Khach
church of Akhtamar
On April 28, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan met with Miliet
newspaper's staff to give clarification for his statements about President
Kocharian's reply letter. It was published in April 29 issue article of
Miliet entitled "We May Perhaps Establish Political Relation With Armenia".
Miliet writes that Turkish PM gave green light to thorough political changes
and spoke of creating a resolution to lay foundation of a U-turn in the two
countries relations. Miliet conditions these shift in Erdogan's position by
Armenian President's reply to his letter where the latter indicated, "We
need first diplomatic relations established and then form a commission".
During his meeting with Miliet staff, PM Erdogan noted, "I do not say that
only historians should take up the Armenian issue. Let the political
scientists join them and the politicians draw their final conclusions. We
are ready to put up with our past. But are they? We cannot accept those who
confuse deportation with genocide. Kocharian tried to remind us in his
letter that that is an issue for politicians. We know that very well. But
politicians usually have a team. The team comprised of historians, political
scientists, archive workers does the work and presents us, and we take
decisions based on their studies. Without having done this, they demand
opening the borders. Very well, why do you keep on pushing the international
recognition of the genocide while you demand to open the border?"
Afterwards, Miliet indicates at another sign of Erdogan's goodwill: his
order to the Culture and Tourism Ministries to reconstruct Surp Khach church
of Akhtamar Island. "We have done assignments. Most likely the work is in
process. I demanded Mr. Atilla (tourism minister) to get in touch with
Armenian Patriarch and demand an architect for reconstruction. This is done
to avoid rumors that they ruined it and now are reconstructing improperly",
Erdogan said.
At the end, expressing hope that the Armenian side will give an adequate
sign, Erdogan reminded that Armenians do not accomplish UN Security
Council's resolution and European Council's decision and added, "We warn
them saying: 'You do not end your occupations'. But there is less resistance
in the issue of Kars Treaty. Their position shifted to positive. That's why
I wrote the letter. We can establish political relations and simultaneously
continue the works".
It's not excluded that Erdogan points to his offer to study the Armenian
Genocide by saying works. That is unacceptable. But it must be accepted that
Erdogan does not anymore put forward preconditions while speaking of
establishing political relations with Armenia, nor does he link these
relations with the will of 3d counties. That's is perhaps unprecedented for
the Turkish PM.
By Hakob Chakrian