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Delhi Pioneer, India
Feb 23 2005
Grave omission
Brandenburg state's premier, Matthias Platzeck is one of the more
popular politicians in Germany.
Recently, he found himself in the midst of a controversy over the
State's decision last year to omit the mention of the killings of
Armenians in a history chapter on genocide. After an Armenian
delegation led by the Armenian Ambassador and leaders from the church
called on him, he has been forced to change his decision.
Beginning next school year, the history lesson for the ninth and 10th
grade will once again include a reference to the killings of
Armenians by Turks.
It will also contain other examples of genocide. Previously, the
killings of Armenians were listed as the only example under the
genocide section.
The issue is an extremely sensitive one between the Armenians and
Turks. The Armenians say almost 2 million people were killed between
1915 and 1923 as part of the Ottoman Empire's campaign to push them
from Turkey.
Turkey disputes the genocide claim and says the deaths were just
casualties of war.
Platzeck had reportedly agreed to the removal on the request of the
Turkish General Counsel Aydin Durusay.
The decision set off a wave of criticism from parties in the state.
Now, a counterprotest from the Armenian side has led to the
re-introduction of the subject. Brandenburg is the first of Germany's
16 States to have a textbook that discusses the subject of genocide
in the 20th century.
Feb 23 2005
Grave omission
Brandenburg state's premier, Matthias Platzeck is one of the more
popular politicians in Germany.
Recently, he found himself in the midst of a controversy over the
State's decision last year to omit the mention of the killings of
Armenians in a history chapter on genocide. After an Armenian
delegation led by the Armenian Ambassador and leaders from the church
called on him, he has been forced to change his decision.
Beginning next school year, the history lesson for the ninth and 10th
grade will once again include a reference to the killings of
Armenians by Turks.
It will also contain other examples of genocide. Previously, the
killings of Armenians were listed as the only example under the
genocide section.
The issue is an extremely sensitive one between the Armenians and
Turks. The Armenians say almost 2 million people were killed between
1915 and 1923 as part of the Ottoman Empire's campaign to push them
from Turkey.
Turkey disputes the genocide claim and says the deaths were just
casualties of war.
Platzeck had reportedly agreed to the removal on the request of the
Turkish General Counsel Aydin Durusay.
The decision set off a wave of criticism from parties in the state.
Now, a counterprotest from the Armenian side has led to the
re-introduction of the subject. Brandenburg is the first of Germany's
16 States to have a textbook that discusses the subject of genocide
in the 20th century.