FAIR SETTLEMENT NOT TO BRING DECEASED BACK - RAKEL DINK
tert.am
25.04.12
Tert.am interviewed Rakel Dink, widow of Hrant Dink, editor of the
Agos newspaper murdered in Turkey on January 19, 2007.
A descendant of the Varto clan, one of the largest clans in
south-eastern Anatolia, Rakel Dink (nee Yagbasan) is now its only
representative in Turkey. She is also a resident of Switzerland. She
was the first woman to oppose the Varto clan's traditionally practiced
endogamy by marrying Hrant Dink.
- Do you think the manifestations of solidarity in Turkey, when
people gather and cry out 'We are all Dinks, we are all Armenians',
are sincere?
- I can say that 90 of the 100 people you see are sincere. They
are people desirous of reforms in Turkey, and they are all exerting
efforts for the Armenian Cause issue to be settled. They are against
Turkey's official position on the Armenian Genocide. They want to tell
people the truth of the past for the young generation to realize it
and prevent the same in the future.
- Do you think the Armenian Cause issue can be fairly settled, which
was actually Hrant Dink's goal?
- A fair settlement... you cannot bring the deceased back by means
of a fair settlement. A fair settlement is the present generation
realizing the actuality even if they do not fully accept it. This is
the entire humanity's task, not only that of Armenians.
- What is Armenian citizens' help for you? How can they help you?
- I am sure they are and will go on supporting us. What can they
do? I have seen an announcement on your website. We are trying to
inform of the events, without hurting anyone's feelings. Love must
be the language of our articles.
- Hrant Dink's tomb has turned into a place of pilgrimage. Armenians
come here to pay respects and Turkish producers, inspired by Dink's
deeds, are making films.
- Hrant Dink's activities influenced them greatly - their body and
soul. They are sparing no efforts to push Hrant's cause forward. Each
of them considers Hrant a hero, because they are aware he consciously
sacrificed his life for his cause and for justice. Each person that
has the same cause honors Hrant.
- What are your impressions of your visit to Armenia, Armenian
Remembrance Day?
- My first visit to Armenia on April 24 was in 1999. I was greatly
impressed by the silent respect. So I demanded the same during my
husband's funeral...
From: Baghdasarian
tert.am
25.04.12
Tert.am interviewed Rakel Dink, widow of Hrant Dink, editor of the
Agos newspaper murdered in Turkey on January 19, 2007.
A descendant of the Varto clan, one of the largest clans in
south-eastern Anatolia, Rakel Dink (nee Yagbasan) is now its only
representative in Turkey. She is also a resident of Switzerland. She
was the first woman to oppose the Varto clan's traditionally practiced
endogamy by marrying Hrant Dink.
- Do you think the manifestations of solidarity in Turkey, when
people gather and cry out 'We are all Dinks, we are all Armenians',
are sincere?
- I can say that 90 of the 100 people you see are sincere. They
are people desirous of reforms in Turkey, and they are all exerting
efforts for the Armenian Cause issue to be settled. They are against
Turkey's official position on the Armenian Genocide. They want to tell
people the truth of the past for the young generation to realize it
and prevent the same in the future.
- Do you think the Armenian Cause issue can be fairly settled, which
was actually Hrant Dink's goal?
- A fair settlement... you cannot bring the deceased back by means
of a fair settlement. A fair settlement is the present generation
realizing the actuality even if they do not fully accept it. This is
the entire humanity's task, not only that of Armenians.
- What is Armenian citizens' help for you? How can they help you?
- I am sure they are and will go on supporting us. What can they
do? I have seen an announcement on your website. We are trying to
inform of the events, without hurting anyone's feelings. Love must
be the language of our articles.
- Hrant Dink's tomb has turned into a place of pilgrimage. Armenians
come here to pay respects and Turkish producers, inspired by Dink's
deeds, are making films.
- Hrant Dink's activities influenced them greatly - their body and
soul. They are sparing no efforts to push Hrant's cause forward. Each
of them considers Hrant a hero, because they are aware he consciously
sacrificed his life for his cause and for justice. Each person that
has the same cause honors Hrant.
- What are your impressions of your visit to Armenia, Armenian
Remembrance Day?
- My first visit to Armenia on April 24 was in 1999. I was greatly
impressed by the silent respect. So I demanded the same during my
husband's funeral...
From: Baghdasarian