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ANKARA: Who Does History Belong To If Not The Historians?

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  • ANKARA: Who Does History Belong To If Not The Historians?

    WHO DOES HISTORY BELONG TO IF NOT THE HISTORIANS?
    By Semih Idiz

    Turkish Press
    May 25 2006

    MILLIYET- I said earlier that the bill to criminalize denial of the
    so-called Armenian genocide would be passed by France's Parliament.

    We can't say that it didn't pass. In other words, we can't say that
    common sense won. Observers believe that the bill will pass if it comes
    to a vote. Now people say the bill will be brought to the agenda by
    the end of this year.

    The French Armenians aren't satisfied with the situation either. They
    would prefer for the bill to be passed in the General Assembly and
    stay in legal procedures even if it's not accepted. Armenian Deputy
    Partick Deveciyan lashed out at French Foreign Minister Philippe
    Douste-Blazy. In his speech in Parliament, Balazy pointed to France's
    important political and economic interests in its relations with Turkey
    and said the bill should be rejected. Deveciyan branded Blazy's request
    "unethical."

    However, the French are concerned about their economy. Smart observers
    know that foreign trade and foreign investment are very important
    in their economy. In other word, they are aware that Blazy's words
    aren't empty. If we come to 'ethical' Deveciyan, in light of the
    French approach to Algeria, he is also aware that the bill isn't at
    all ethical. He's already stated his views on history.

    After being reminded how at least one leading French historian is
    opposed to the bill, he said meaninglessly: 'History isn't the private
    property of historians.'

    Judging from the comments of French Armenians, this problem is
    a political problem rather than a historical one. That's why the
    Armenians are against Turkey' proposal for a commission of historians
    which was also supported by Douste-Blazy. They try to base the problem
    on demagogy. That's why Turkey hast to stick to its proposal.

    But Ankara isn't doing much about this.

    The fact that the Armenians didn't reach their goals this time doesn't
    change the situation much, because there are third parties who want
    to use this issue for their own interests.
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