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'Confront genocide'
7DAYS, United Arab Emirates
June 15 2005
Written by 7DAYS | Thursday, 16 June 2005
German lawmakers have prepared a cross-party motion urging Turkey to
re-examine the disputed killing of an estimated one million ethnic
Armenians about a century ago, according to a copy obtained by The
Associated Press last night.
The motion, to be put to a vote in parliament today, demands that the
German government press Turkey to investigate the killing and foster
reconciliation with Armenians, including "forgiveness for historical
guilt." Parliament is "convinced an honest historical review is
needed and represents the most important basis for reconciliation,"
the motion said.
"This is particularly true in the framework of a European culture
of remembrance which includes openly debating the dark side of each
nation's history."
Armenia accuses Turkey of genocide in the killings as part of a 1915-23
campaign to force Armenians out of eastern Anatolia. At that time,
Armenia was part of the Ottoman Empire.
Turkey remains extremely sensitive to the issue. It denies that the
killings were genocide, says the death count is inflated and that
Armenians were killed or displaced along with others as the Ottoman
Empire tried to quell civil unrest.
Officials from the governing Social Democrats and the main conservative
opposition said they expected strong support for the motion - partly
because it makes no mention of Turkey's bid to join the European Union.
Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder has been one of Turkey's strongest
backers in its membership bid, but the opposition - which hopes to
win expected elections later this year - has argued that it should
be offered a lesser "privileged partnership."
A draft debated in the German parliament in February drew criticism
from Ankara's ambassador in Berlin, who said it contained "prejudices,
factual errors ... and one-sided expectations."
The final version said "numerous independent historians describe the
destruction of the Armenians as genocide."
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
7DAYS, United Arab Emirates
June 15 2005
Written by 7DAYS | Thursday, 16 June 2005
German lawmakers have prepared a cross-party motion urging Turkey to
re-examine the disputed killing of an estimated one million ethnic
Armenians about a century ago, according to a copy obtained by The
Associated Press last night.
The motion, to be put to a vote in parliament today, demands that the
German government press Turkey to investigate the killing and foster
reconciliation with Armenians, including "forgiveness for historical
guilt." Parliament is "convinced an honest historical review is
needed and represents the most important basis for reconciliation,"
the motion said.
"This is particularly true in the framework of a European culture
of remembrance which includes openly debating the dark side of each
nation's history."
Armenia accuses Turkey of genocide in the killings as part of a 1915-23
campaign to force Armenians out of eastern Anatolia. At that time,
Armenia was part of the Ottoman Empire.
Turkey remains extremely sensitive to the issue. It denies that the
killings were genocide, says the death count is inflated and that
Armenians were killed or displaced along with others as the Ottoman
Empire tried to quell civil unrest.
Officials from the governing Social Democrats and the main conservative
opposition said they expected strong support for the motion - partly
because it makes no mention of Turkey's bid to join the European Union.
Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder has been one of Turkey's strongest
backers in its membership bid, but the opposition - which hopes to
win expected elections later this year - has argued that it should
be offered a lesser "privileged partnership."
A draft debated in the German parliament in February drew criticism
from Ankara's ambassador in Berlin, who said it contained "prejudices,
factual errors ... and one-sided expectations."
The final version said "numerous independent historians describe the
destruction of the Armenians as genocide."
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress