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Turkish envoy dismisses German resolution on Armenian massacre issue
Anatolia news agency, Ankara
27 Feb 05
Berlin, 27 February: Turkish Ambassador to Germany Mehmet Ali
Irtemcelik said on Saturday [26 February]: "Only historians have the
right to make decisions about historical events."
Irtemcelik released a statement about a draft resolution which will be
submitted to the German federal parliament in April by CDU/CSU group
under the title "Commemoration of Armenians on the 90th anniversary
of their relocation and massacre on 24 April 1915 - Germany should
contribute to provide peace between Turks and Armenians".
In his statement, Irtemcelik said: "Only historians have the right
to make decisions about historical events. The draft includes many
prejudices, mistakes and unilateral expectations about Turkey-Armenia
relations."
"Armenians resorted to organized terrorism not only in eastern
Anatolia during World War I, but also in many places in the world
from Los Angeles to Vienna, from Beirut to Paris in the near future
to reach their political targets. Armenia did not recognize Turkey's
territorial integrity and the existing borders with Turkey. Also,
despite all warnings of the international community, Armenia has
still been occupying territories of Azerbaijan. Under the light of
all these, we find it strange that German political parties have
undertaken spokesmanship of fanatic Armenian nationalism. We think
that CDU/CSU did not u nderstand the importance and sensitivity of
the issue," he said.
"No one can reach anywhere by defaming Turkish people and their
history. No one has the right to hamper our integration process,
and our historic and friendly relations with Germany. Before putting
forward such baseless allegations, everyone should study the history
carefully. Besides many Armenians, countless innocent Muslim people
died in those years. If they aim to assist Turkey and Armenia to
improve their relations, they should realize that such issues are
extremely serious and cannot be used as a tool for domestic policies
of the third countries. Instead of preparing such drafts, I invite
them to persuade Armenian President Robert Kocharyan and the Armenian
government to give up their policy preventing formation of a peaceful
atmosphere in southern Caucasus," he added.
Anatolia news agency, Ankara
27 Feb 05
Berlin, 27 February: Turkish Ambassador to Germany Mehmet Ali
Irtemcelik said on Saturday [26 February]: "Only historians have the
right to make decisions about historical events."
Irtemcelik released a statement about a draft resolution which will be
submitted to the German federal parliament in April by CDU/CSU group
under the title "Commemoration of Armenians on the 90th anniversary
of their relocation and massacre on 24 April 1915 - Germany should
contribute to provide peace between Turks and Armenians".
In his statement, Irtemcelik said: "Only historians have the right
to make decisions about historical events. The draft includes many
prejudices, mistakes and unilateral expectations about Turkey-Armenia
relations."
"Armenians resorted to organized terrorism not only in eastern
Anatolia during World War I, but also in many places in the world
from Los Angeles to Vienna, from Beirut to Paris in the near future
to reach their political targets. Armenia did not recognize Turkey's
territorial integrity and the existing borders with Turkey. Also,
despite all warnings of the international community, Armenia has
still been occupying territories of Azerbaijan. Under the light of
all these, we find it strange that German political parties have
undertaken spokesmanship of fanatic Armenian nationalism. We think
that CDU/CSU did not u nderstand the importance and sensitivity of
the issue," he said.
"No one can reach anywhere by defaming Turkish people and their
history. No one has the right to hamper our integration process,
and our historic and friendly relations with Germany. Before putting
forward such baseless allegations, everyone should study the history
carefully. Besides many Armenians, countless innocent Muslim people
died in those years. If they aim to assist Turkey and Armenia to
improve their relations, they should realize that such issues are
extremely serious and cannot be used as a tool for domestic policies
of the third countries. Instead of preparing such drafts, I invite
them to persuade Armenian President Robert Kocharyan and the Armenian
government to give up their policy preventing formation of a peaceful
atmosphere in southern Caucasus," he added.