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City leader sparks row by backing claim of genocide

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  • City leader sparks row by backing claim of genocide

    City leader sparks row by backing claim of genocide
    By GARETH ROSE

    The Scotsman
    16 Aug 05

    COUNCIL leader Donald Anderson has become embroiled in an international
    row over whether the deaths of 1.5 million Armenians during the First
    World War was genocide.

    Armenia has called for an international investigation into whether the
    massacre was ordered by the Ottoman Empire which ruled Turkey in 1915.

    Turkey has always insisted the people died during civil unrest while
    its authorities attempted to deport them.

    Councillor Anderson first became involved in the issue when the
    Capital hosted a Holocaust Memorial Day in 2003.

    But now, the city leader plans to go one step further and put forward
    a motion to the council in October recognising that "it was indeed
    genocide".

    The proposed motion has been welcomed by Armenians in the Capital.

    But the move has raised the ire of the Turkish community in Edinburgh
    and Councillor Anderson has also received complaints from the Turkish
    ambassador, who has pointed to the fact that history accepts many
    Turkish people died at Armenian hands.

    In a letter to the ambassador, Cllr Anderson said: "Having researched
    this issue, I am in no doubt that the Armenian community suffered a
    genocide at the hands of the Ottoman regime.

    "There are substantial eyewitness accounts that are well documented
    and there is, I believe, wide support for the view that the historical
    evidence is robust and compelling for genocide.

    "You mention in your letter that atrocities were carried out against
    Turks by the Armenian side and undoubtedly this is true. There were
    atrocities on all sides of what was an extremely bitter period
    of ethnic conflict. However, this was not genocide and was not
    state-sponsored."

    He added: "As council leader I have to advise you that I am convinced
    of the need to support recognition for what I believe was genocide.

    "I would encourage you as ambassador for a great and dynamic country
    to reconsider your position."

    The council leader was asked earlier by the Armenian community if the
    city would host a commemoration service to mark the 90th anniversary
    of the deaths, which was held on April 24.

    Armenian Dr Hagop Bessos, 55, of Marchmont Road, Edinburgh, today
    said Edinburgh's recognition that genocide took place would be a
    "significant" step.

    Dr Bessos, who is chairman of the Scottish branch of UK organisation
    the Campaign for Recognition of Armenian Genocide said: "It would be
    very important for Edinburgh City Council to recognise what happened
    was genocide."

    Dr Bessos, whose parents survived the massacre, added: "Many countries
    across the world already have done. The UK and the US are the principal
    ones which have not."

    A total of 15 nations, including Switzerland, Russia and Argentina,
    classify the killings as genocide. France, which has a large
    Armenian population, passed a law officially recognising the events
    as genocide in 2001, cooling relations with Turkey and scuppering a
    major arms deal.

    The disagreement is also seen as the biggest stumbling block facing
    Turkey as it attempts to join the European Union.

    But far from backing down, Turkey has remained defiant.

    Murat Toruntay, chairman of the Turkish Association, said: "There
    are two sides to the story and I am pleased Cllr Anderson is prepared
    to listen to both. I was in Turkey recently and it was being talked
    about. The government does not accept that it was genocide."
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