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Yerevan Press Club of Armenia presents `MediaDialogue" Web Site as a
Regional Information Hub project.
As a part of the project www.mediadialogue.org web site is maintained,
featuring the most interesting publications from the press of Armenia,
Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey on issues of mutual concern. The latest
updates on the site are weekly delivered to the subscribers.
************************************************** ********************
================================================== =========================
REGION
================================================== =========================
THE ISSUE OF AUTONOMY TO BE RAISED IN JAVAKHETI?
--------------------------------------- -------------------------------------
Source: `Resonanci' newspaper (Georgia) [September 24, 2005]
Author: Manana Mchedlishvili
This afternoon local public and social political organizations are
planning discussion of the law on self-regulation in Akhalkalaki. The
forum organizers are such radical organizations as `Javakhk', `Virk'
and Javakheti Youth Union. According to Georgian Parliament Deputy Van
Bayburt, the forum will also consider the issues of the region's
autonomy. The deputy is confident that the real organizers of the
event are in Moscow.
Van Bayburt emphasized in the conversation with `Resonanci' newspaper
correspondent that representatives of various Russian media contacted
him throughout the day and asked to comment on Akhalkalaki forum.
`Russian journalists telephoned me all day and I did not have a clear
understanding what type of information they want. This huge number of
appeals raised my suspicions as to how should Moscow be informed about
such details from a small region. Why are they so interested in
Javakheti, as if anticipating another hurricane? Maybe Javakheti has
become a center of some global political events? Many Russian
journalists are planning to attend the forum and cover it in their
publications from the venue of the event. I think this interest only
confirms my suspicions that the forum is organized by people in Moscow
whose intentions about Georgia are easy to guess. Our authorities
should not ignore this, since delay may be a fatal mistake'.
`Resonanci' editorial office contacted the head of `Virk'
organization, David Rstakian. He confirmed the information that it is
planned to organize a forum in Akhalkalaki, which will consider the
issues on possible federalization of Georgia.
`I mean the pattern of state and territorial organization of
Georgia. Possibly, there will be people among the forum participants
who will be willing to discuss also the status of Javakhk within
Federal Georgia', Rstakian stated.
It is interesting how the representatives of `Virk' perceive
federalization of Georgia and autonomous status of Javakheti. David
Rstakian draws a parallel between the Western models of autonomy and
the old Soviet one. He himself prefers Swiss and German models of
state and territorial organization.
`Thus based on Soviet ideology, there could even be autonomous regions
in the country. Sometimes self-regulation may signify the same
autonomy or self-regulation in separate issues. The majority of
Georgian population links autonomy with the idea of
separatism. Therefore, this term raises irritation. I think our
meeting in Akhalkalaki will have a scientific character and will raise
the issues of federalization, state models of organization of the
country, so this forum cannot be assessed as anti-constitutional. I
also wish to state that autonomous organization is dominant in most
countries of the world. I mean multinational and multiconfessional
countries. For instance Switzerland has 24 federation members. The
same is true for Germany. In other words, our forum is not devoted to
the issue of the region's secession from Georgia. To be more precise,
we will consider the issues of national-territorial autonomy. If we
ever reach the period of decentralization of power, Javakhe! ti will
have the status of national-territorial autonomy', one of `Virk'
organization leaders, David Rstakian thinks.
WHAT TO EXPECT FROM BAKU MEETING ON CASPIAN?
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Source: "Echo" newspaper (Azerbaijan) [September 22, 2005]
Author: R. Orujev
Nothing new - the expert is confident
Regular 18th session of Special Working Group (SWG) for drafting the
Convention on Legal Status of the Caspian Sea will start October 6 in
Baku, as previously stated to media by special representative of
Azerbaijani President at the negotiations on the legal status of the
sea-lake, AR Deputy Foreign Minister Khalaf Khalafov. The session will
include the delegations of all the five Caspian states.
Meanwhile, serious doubts are raised by the concern that these
negotiations of SWG will lead to a breakthrough in the disputable
issue. To this effect, it is sufficient to remember the results of the
two recent sessions on Caspian in Ashgabad and Tehran, to say nothing
of the useless duration of such meetings up to 10 years.
After the Ashgabad meeting (January 28-29), the sides stated that the
text of the draft of the Convention is accorded by 70% against the
previous `success' by 67%. The next 17th SWG session, held in Tehran
May 16-17, was not very distinctive. It resulted in accordance of the
Convention by 75%. Thus it should be noted that none of the previous
sessions saw the parties change the positions on principle points. In
other words, Iran and Turkmenistan keep insisting on their vision of
sea borders on the Caspian.
`The SWG session in Baku will just be a regular one, `the same'
without new developments', as forecasted by a famous Azerbaijani
expert on maritime law Rustam Mamedov. `May be some not very principle
points will be discussed, and, progress is likely to be achieved on
these issues. However, no progress is expected on key issues. It is my
opinion and I repeatedly stated that solution of any principle issues
on the legal status of the Caspian first demands considering common
security and its guarantees. We need to solve the issues of
delimitation principles, also the problems of our future existence in
one, common Caspian space. What are our steps on common initiative?
Anyway, it is clear today that Caspian states do not intend to
establish common regional organization. The framework convention on
the ecology of the Caspian is adopted by all coast countries, however
on the level of resolutions often of purely declarative nature. All
this points to the fact that no serious radical changes occurred in
the Caspian besides the bilateral agreements on delimitation of the
sea zones between Russia, Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan".
================================================== =========================
NEIGHBOURS
================================================== =========================
MURAD BELGE: `ARMENIAN ISSUE IS ONE OF THE DARKEST PAGES OF OUR HISTORY'
--------------------------------------------------- -------------------------
Source: "Azg" newspaper (Armenia) [September 27, 2005]
Author: Tatul Hakobian
The Council of Europe encourages the organizers of the conference on
Armenian issue for their boldness and determination
With a special statement, CE Secretary General congratulated the
organizers of the conference on the Armenian issue at Istanbul `Bylgy'
University for their courage and determination. Mediamax quotes Terry
Davis noting, `People believing in modern, democratic and tolerant
Turkey no longer fear radical nationalists in Istanbul streets'.
`I again express support for Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan
position, defending freedom of expression in Turkey. I hope this
attitude will prevail also in the issue of shameful court proceedings
against one of the most famous Turkish writers, Orhan Pamuk, accused
of public statements on Armenian issue', Davis stated.
Though Istanbul Administrative Court of 4th Jurisdiction cancelled the
conference on `Ottoman Armenians At Decline of the Empire. Scientific
Responsibility and Issues of Democracy', it was still held at `Bylgy'
University on weekend. The European Commission condemned the court
decision on canceling the conference, assessing it as a fraud. The
Istanbul court did not accept organization of the conference in
`Bosphorus' and `Sabanci' Universities, initiating the conference
together with `Bylgy' University. At the last moment, `Bylgy'
administration had the courage to hold the conference.
`Ottoman Armenians At Decline of the Empire' conference was to be
convened on May 25-27 at `Bosphorus' State University; however, one
day prior to its organization two deputies of opposition and governing
parties accused the organizers of treason. Turkish Minister of Justice
qualified the initiative of the Turkish historians as a stab in
Turkey's back. Recep Tayyip Erdogan condemned the decision of Istanbul
court and expressed his support for the organizers of the conference,
whereas Foreign Minister Abdullah Gull on a visit to New York sent an
address to conference organizers. Gull noted in particular, `We wish
for both our and other archives to be opened, shedding light on the
history of that period... We believe that a thorough study of this
period will reveal more historical facts promoting improvement of the
relations between countries and peoples. Thus, we suggested to the
Armenian government that the two countries form a historical (problem
investigation) commission th! at will study Turkish-Armenian common
history'.
The conference was covered by such leading world media as `Washington
Post', `Independent', `Associated Press', `France Presse' and Turkish
media as well. In his speech at the conference, professor of `Sabanci'
University, Halil Berktay stated that the term `Genocide' should be
placed aside and everyone should try to understand what happened in
1915-1916. `We cannot allow the discussions to be limited by two
contradicting opinions: did Genocide take place or not? We should try
to understand what happened', Berktay stated.
Professor of history department at German `Ruhr' University, Fikret
Adamir noted that in scientific research he uses `Armenian Genocide'
expression. `In 1915-16 the scale of deportation was much higher than
extermination. A whole nation - women, children and elders - were
deported and died on the roads', he stated and insisted that Armenian
massacres may be qualified as Genocide.
Professor of `Bilkent' University, Oktay Belgen noted that after
1893-1923 clashes, the Black Sea region was completely cleansed of
non-Muslim population. Taner Akcam, referred to by `Associated Press'
agency as author of the book `An Act of Shame. Armenian Genocide and
the Issue of Turkish Responsibility', stated in his speech at the
conference that there are too many documents proving extermination of
Armenians.
One of the conference organizers, Murad Belge stated, `I think many
people understand that old stance is not acceptable. I mean the smoke
screen around (Armenian) issue, the policy of rejection'. He noted
that Turkey's EU accession requires democratic processes, however
Turkey, as any other society, has forces hostile to this
democratization, clashing with their interests. `The young generation
of Turkey has no idea about Armenian issue, which is the consequence
of educational system. The Armenian issue is one of the darkest pages
of our history and it is natural that no one is willing to accept it',
Belge stated.
On his behalf, Halil Berktay added, `Reading the Turkish press after
the silly decision of the court, I understood that the conference will
be a success. The old official clichés and the ideology of
rejection are now extinct'.
`A few hundred Turkish nationalists, assembled at `Bylgy' University,
met the conference participants with tomatoes and eggs. The majority
of the participants were Turkish scientists and historians. Turkish
nationalists qualified them as `traitors', menacing that `treason will
not be left unpunished', `this is Turkey, either love this country or
leave!'
ARMENIAN FORUM STIRS UP TURKEY
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Source: "Los Angeles Times" newspaper (USA) [September 25, 2005]
Author: Amberin Zaman
Defying a court ban, panelists discuss the mass killings of the WWI
era. Western observers hail the talks; protesters throw eggs.
ISTANBUL, Turkey - A controversial conference on the mass killings of
ethnic Armenians during the last days of the Ottoman Empire opened
here Saturday amid heavy security in defiance of a court ban.
The forum was hailed by participants and Western observers as a
groundbreaking event where Turkish academics could for the first time
publicly challenge their country's official version of the events
leading to the Armenian genocide. Hundreds of protesters waving
Turkish flags pelted the arriving panelists with eggs and rotten
tomatoes, expressing the fury felt by many Turks over efforts to open
their country's painful past to debate.
"The aim [of the conference] ... is to declare Turkey guilty of
genocide," said Erkan Onsel, local head of the small left-wing
Turkey's Workers Party.
The conference had been canceled twice, most recently on Thursday,
when an Istanbul court ruled in favor of a group of lawyers who
opposed the gathering on procedural grounds.
Turkey's reformist prime minister, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, harshly
condemned the ruling, saying it was timed to undermine the country's
efforts to join the European Union. Turkey is scheduled to open
long-awaited talks with the EU on Oct. 3.
"I want to live in a Turkey where freedoms are enjoyed in their
broadest sense," Erdogan told reporters Saturday.
His words were echoed by Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul, who sent a
letter of support to the conference. He earlier said the cancellation
was a further example of how "Turks are so good at shooting themselves
in the foot."
Emotions ran high among a packed audience of academics, journalists
and diplomats as panelists deconstructed Turkey's official explanation
of how the country's once-thriving Armenian population, estimated at
more than 1 million in the early 20th century, was reduced to its
current level of 80,000.
More than a million Armenians were systematically killed in a genocide
campaign launched in 1915 by forces of the Ottoman Empire, which
became the modern republic of Turkey. The government continues to
dispute the view that a genocide took place. It says several hundred
thousand Armenians died of exposure, disease and attacks from brigands
as they journeyed south to Syria after being deported for
collaborating with invading Russian troops.
Most speakers took a cautious tone, saying the purpose of the
conference was not to deliver a verdict on whether the killings
constituted genocide.
"We cannot allow debate to be trapped between these two conflicting
points of view. We need to try to understand what happened in 1915,"
said Halil Berktay, a prominent Ottoman historian. He noted
nonetheless that Ottoman officials had declared "an open season to
hunt Armenians" at the start of World War I.
One speaker did maintain that the killings could be described as
genocide. "That is my view," said Fikret Adanir, a Turkish historian.
"What about the Muslims who were killed, why won't you mention them?"
participant Mustafa Budak, deputy director of the state-run Ottoman
archive, demanded during a heated question-and-answer session.
Turkey recently opened the archive to the public, but critics say
incriminating documents have been purged. Budak denied that claim in
an interview and said "the conference's credibility would have been
vastly enhanced had other academics" supporting the official line been
invited to speak as well.
A European diplomat observing the panel said its significance went
beyond free debate of the Armenian issue. "It proves that Turkey is
maturing into a Western-style democracy, where all opinions, no matter
how contentious, can be freely expressed."
Hrant Dink, managing editor of the Armenian-language weekly Agos, said
the session would surprise Armenians around the world. "Some will now
find the courage to enter into dialogue with the Turks," he said.
Some participants expressed concern that they might face prosecution
under Turkey's newly revised penal code, which specifically proscribes
description of the killings as genocide.
Internationally acclaimed Turkish novelist Orhan Pamuk was charged
under the law last month with insulting Turkey's dignity. He said in a
Swiss newspaper interview published in February that "1 million
Armenians and 30,000 Kurds were killed in these lands, but no one but
me dares say so." He is scheduled to appear in court Dec. 16 and could
face three years in prison if convicted.
************************************************** *********************
You can subscribe or unsubscribe to this newsletter either at
www.mediadialogue.org or by sending a message to the Editor:
[email protected].
For comments or questions please contact the Editor: [email protected].
Regional Information Hub project.
As a part of the project www.mediadialogue.org web site is maintained,
featuring the most interesting publications from the press of Armenia,
Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey on issues of mutual concern. The latest
updates on the site are weekly delivered to the subscribers.
************************************************** ********************
================================================== =========================
REGION
================================================== =========================
THE ISSUE OF AUTONOMY TO BE RAISED IN JAVAKHETI?
--------------------------------------- -------------------------------------
Source: `Resonanci' newspaper (Georgia) [September 24, 2005]
Author: Manana Mchedlishvili
This afternoon local public and social political organizations are
planning discussion of the law on self-regulation in Akhalkalaki. The
forum organizers are such radical organizations as `Javakhk', `Virk'
and Javakheti Youth Union. According to Georgian Parliament Deputy Van
Bayburt, the forum will also consider the issues of the region's
autonomy. The deputy is confident that the real organizers of the
event are in Moscow.
Van Bayburt emphasized in the conversation with `Resonanci' newspaper
correspondent that representatives of various Russian media contacted
him throughout the day and asked to comment on Akhalkalaki forum.
`Russian journalists telephoned me all day and I did not have a clear
understanding what type of information they want. This huge number of
appeals raised my suspicions as to how should Moscow be informed about
such details from a small region. Why are they so interested in
Javakheti, as if anticipating another hurricane? Maybe Javakheti has
become a center of some global political events? Many Russian
journalists are planning to attend the forum and cover it in their
publications from the venue of the event. I think this interest only
confirms my suspicions that the forum is organized by people in Moscow
whose intentions about Georgia are easy to guess. Our authorities
should not ignore this, since delay may be a fatal mistake'.
`Resonanci' editorial office contacted the head of `Virk'
organization, David Rstakian. He confirmed the information that it is
planned to organize a forum in Akhalkalaki, which will consider the
issues on possible federalization of Georgia.
`I mean the pattern of state and territorial organization of
Georgia. Possibly, there will be people among the forum participants
who will be willing to discuss also the status of Javakhk within
Federal Georgia', Rstakian stated.
It is interesting how the representatives of `Virk' perceive
federalization of Georgia and autonomous status of Javakheti. David
Rstakian draws a parallel between the Western models of autonomy and
the old Soviet one. He himself prefers Swiss and German models of
state and territorial organization.
`Thus based on Soviet ideology, there could even be autonomous regions
in the country. Sometimes self-regulation may signify the same
autonomy or self-regulation in separate issues. The majority of
Georgian population links autonomy with the idea of
separatism. Therefore, this term raises irritation. I think our
meeting in Akhalkalaki will have a scientific character and will raise
the issues of federalization, state models of organization of the
country, so this forum cannot be assessed as anti-constitutional. I
also wish to state that autonomous organization is dominant in most
countries of the world. I mean multinational and multiconfessional
countries. For instance Switzerland has 24 federation members. The
same is true for Germany. In other words, our forum is not devoted to
the issue of the region's secession from Georgia. To be more precise,
we will consider the issues of national-territorial autonomy. If we
ever reach the period of decentralization of power, Javakhe! ti will
have the status of national-territorial autonomy', one of `Virk'
organization leaders, David Rstakian thinks.
WHAT TO EXPECT FROM BAKU MEETING ON CASPIAN?
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Source: "Echo" newspaper (Azerbaijan) [September 22, 2005]
Author: R. Orujev
Nothing new - the expert is confident
Regular 18th session of Special Working Group (SWG) for drafting the
Convention on Legal Status of the Caspian Sea will start October 6 in
Baku, as previously stated to media by special representative of
Azerbaijani President at the negotiations on the legal status of the
sea-lake, AR Deputy Foreign Minister Khalaf Khalafov. The session will
include the delegations of all the five Caspian states.
Meanwhile, serious doubts are raised by the concern that these
negotiations of SWG will lead to a breakthrough in the disputable
issue. To this effect, it is sufficient to remember the results of the
two recent sessions on Caspian in Ashgabad and Tehran, to say nothing
of the useless duration of such meetings up to 10 years.
After the Ashgabad meeting (January 28-29), the sides stated that the
text of the draft of the Convention is accorded by 70% against the
previous `success' by 67%. The next 17th SWG session, held in Tehran
May 16-17, was not very distinctive. It resulted in accordance of the
Convention by 75%. Thus it should be noted that none of the previous
sessions saw the parties change the positions on principle points. In
other words, Iran and Turkmenistan keep insisting on their vision of
sea borders on the Caspian.
`The SWG session in Baku will just be a regular one, `the same'
without new developments', as forecasted by a famous Azerbaijani
expert on maritime law Rustam Mamedov. `May be some not very principle
points will be discussed, and, progress is likely to be achieved on
these issues. However, no progress is expected on key issues. It is my
opinion and I repeatedly stated that solution of any principle issues
on the legal status of the Caspian first demands considering common
security and its guarantees. We need to solve the issues of
delimitation principles, also the problems of our future existence in
one, common Caspian space. What are our steps on common initiative?
Anyway, it is clear today that Caspian states do not intend to
establish common regional organization. The framework convention on
the ecology of the Caspian is adopted by all coast countries, however
on the level of resolutions often of purely declarative nature. All
this points to the fact that no serious radical changes occurred in
the Caspian besides the bilateral agreements on delimitation of the
sea zones between Russia, Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan".
================================================== =========================
NEIGHBOURS
================================================== =========================
MURAD BELGE: `ARMENIAN ISSUE IS ONE OF THE DARKEST PAGES OF OUR HISTORY'
--------------------------------------------------- -------------------------
Source: "Azg" newspaper (Armenia) [September 27, 2005]
Author: Tatul Hakobian
The Council of Europe encourages the organizers of the conference on
Armenian issue for their boldness and determination
With a special statement, CE Secretary General congratulated the
organizers of the conference on the Armenian issue at Istanbul `Bylgy'
University for their courage and determination. Mediamax quotes Terry
Davis noting, `People believing in modern, democratic and tolerant
Turkey no longer fear radical nationalists in Istanbul streets'.
`I again express support for Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan
position, defending freedom of expression in Turkey. I hope this
attitude will prevail also in the issue of shameful court proceedings
against one of the most famous Turkish writers, Orhan Pamuk, accused
of public statements on Armenian issue', Davis stated.
Though Istanbul Administrative Court of 4th Jurisdiction cancelled the
conference on `Ottoman Armenians At Decline of the Empire. Scientific
Responsibility and Issues of Democracy', it was still held at `Bylgy'
University on weekend. The European Commission condemned the court
decision on canceling the conference, assessing it as a fraud. The
Istanbul court did not accept organization of the conference in
`Bosphorus' and `Sabanci' Universities, initiating the conference
together with `Bylgy' University. At the last moment, `Bylgy'
administration had the courage to hold the conference.
`Ottoman Armenians At Decline of the Empire' conference was to be
convened on May 25-27 at `Bosphorus' State University; however, one
day prior to its organization two deputies of opposition and governing
parties accused the organizers of treason. Turkish Minister of Justice
qualified the initiative of the Turkish historians as a stab in
Turkey's back. Recep Tayyip Erdogan condemned the decision of Istanbul
court and expressed his support for the organizers of the conference,
whereas Foreign Minister Abdullah Gull on a visit to New York sent an
address to conference organizers. Gull noted in particular, `We wish
for both our and other archives to be opened, shedding light on the
history of that period... We believe that a thorough study of this
period will reveal more historical facts promoting improvement of the
relations between countries and peoples. Thus, we suggested to the
Armenian government that the two countries form a historical (problem
investigation) commission th! at will study Turkish-Armenian common
history'.
The conference was covered by such leading world media as `Washington
Post', `Independent', `Associated Press', `France Presse' and Turkish
media as well. In his speech at the conference, professor of `Sabanci'
University, Halil Berktay stated that the term `Genocide' should be
placed aside and everyone should try to understand what happened in
1915-1916. `We cannot allow the discussions to be limited by two
contradicting opinions: did Genocide take place or not? We should try
to understand what happened', Berktay stated.
Professor of history department at German `Ruhr' University, Fikret
Adamir noted that in scientific research he uses `Armenian Genocide'
expression. `In 1915-16 the scale of deportation was much higher than
extermination. A whole nation - women, children and elders - were
deported and died on the roads', he stated and insisted that Armenian
massacres may be qualified as Genocide.
Professor of `Bilkent' University, Oktay Belgen noted that after
1893-1923 clashes, the Black Sea region was completely cleansed of
non-Muslim population. Taner Akcam, referred to by `Associated Press'
agency as author of the book `An Act of Shame. Armenian Genocide and
the Issue of Turkish Responsibility', stated in his speech at the
conference that there are too many documents proving extermination of
Armenians.
One of the conference organizers, Murad Belge stated, `I think many
people understand that old stance is not acceptable. I mean the smoke
screen around (Armenian) issue, the policy of rejection'. He noted
that Turkey's EU accession requires democratic processes, however
Turkey, as any other society, has forces hostile to this
democratization, clashing with their interests. `The young generation
of Turkey has no idea about Armenian issue, which is the consequence
of educational system. The Armenian issue is one of the darkest pages
of our history and it is natural that no one is willing to accept it',
Belge stated.
On his behalf, Halil Berktay added, `Reading the Turkish press after
the silly decision of the court, I understood that the conference will
be a success. The old official clichés and the ideology of
rejection are now extinct'.
`A few hundred Turkish nationalists, assembled at `Bylgy' University,
met the conference participants with tomatoes and eggs. The majority
of the participants were Turkish scientists and historians. Turkish
nationalists qualified them as `traitors', menacing that `treason will
not be left unpunished', `this is Turkey, either love this country or
leave!'
ARMENIAN FORUM STIRS UP TURKEY
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Source: "Los Angeles Times" newspaper (USA) [September 25, 2005]
Author: Amberin Zaman
Defying a court ban, panelists discuss the mass killings of the WWI
era. Western observers hail the talks; protesters throw eggs.
ISTANBUL, Turkey - A controversial conference on the mass killings of
ethnic Armenians during the last days of the Ottoman Empire opened
here Saturday amid heavy security in defiance of a court ban.
The forum was hailed by participants and Western observers as a
groundbreaking event where Turkish academics could for the first time
publicly challenge their country's official version of the events
leading to the Armenian genocide. Hundreds of protesters waving
Turkish flags pelted the arriving panelists with eggs and rotten
tomatoes, expressing the fury felt by many Turks over efforts to open
their country's painful past to debate.
"The aim [of the conference] ... is to declare Turkey guilty of
genocide," said Erkan Onsel, local head of the small left-wing
Turkey's Workers Party.
The conference had been canceled twice, most recently on Thursday,
when an Istanbul court ruled in favor of a group of lawyers who
opposed the gathering on procedural grounds.
Turkey's reformist prime minister, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, harshly
condemned the ruling, saying it was timed to undermine the country's
efforts to join the European Union. Turkey is scheduled to open
long-awaited talks with the EU on Oct. 3.
"I want to live in a Turkey where freedoms are enjoyed in their
broadest sense," Erdogan told reporters Saturday.
His words were echoed by Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul, who sent a
letter of support to the conference. He earlier said the cancellation
was a further example of how "Turks are so good at shooting themselves
in the foot."
Emotions ran high among a packed audience of academics, journalists
and diplomats as panelists deconstructed Turkey's official explanation
of how the country's once-thriving Armenian population, estimated at
more than 1 million in the early 20th century, was reduced to its
current level of 80,000.
More than a million Armenians were systematically killed in a genocide
campaign launched in 1915 by forces of the Ottoman Empire, which
became the modern republic of Turkey. The government continues to
dispute the view that a genocide took place. It says several hundred
thousand Armenians died of exposure, disease and attacks from brigands
as they journeyed south to Syria after being deported for
collaborating with invading Russian troops.
Most speakers took a cautious tone, saying the purpose of the
conference was not to deliver a verdict on whether the killings
constituted genocide.
"We cannot allow debate to be trapped between these two conflicting
points of view. We need to try to understand what happened in 1915,"
said Halil Berktay, a prominent Ottoman historian. He noted
nonetheless that Ottoman officials had declared "an open season to
hunt Armenians" at the start of World War I.
One speaker did maintain that the killings could be described as
genocide. "That is my view," said Fikret Adanir, a Turkish historian.
"What about the Muslims who were killed, why won't you mention them?"
participant Mustafa Budak, deputy director of the state-run Ottoman
archive, demanded during a heated question-and-answer session.
Turkey recently opened the archive to the public, but critics say
incriminating documents have been purged. Budak denied that claim in
an interview and said "the conference's credibility would have been
vastly enhanced had other academics" supporting the official line been
invited to speak as well.
A European diplomat observing the panel said its significance went
beyond free debate of the Armenian issue. "It proves that Turkey is
maturing into a Western-style democracy, where all opinions, no matter
how contentious, can be freely expressed."
Hrant Dink, managing editor of the Armenian-language weekly Agos, said
the session would surprise Armenians around the world. "Some will now
find the courage to enter into dialogue with the Turks," he said.
Some participants expressed concern that they might face prosecution
under Turkey's newly revised penal code, which specifically proscribes
description of the killings as genocide.
Internationally acclaimed Turkish novelist Orhan Pamuk was charged
under the law last month with insulting Turkey's dignity. He said in a
Swiss newspaper interview published in February that "1 million
Armenians and 30,000 Kurds were killed in these lands, but no one but
me dares say so." He is scheduled to appear in court Dec. 16 and could
face three years in prison if convicted.
************************************************** *********************
You can subscribe or unsubscribe to this newsletter either at
www.mediadialogue.org or by sending a message to the Editor:
[email protected].
For comments or questions please contact the Editor: [email protected].