PRESS
Ottawa Unveils a Monument to a Turkish Diplomat Shot, while Armenians
remember the Genocide
Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs Ahmet Davutoglu (left to right)
Ayla Alikat, widow of Colonel Attila Altikat; diplomat shot and
Minister of Foreign Affairs John Baird, standing before a monument in
Ottawa, Thursday, Sept. 20 2012, after the ceremony.
The Canadian Press
Posted Thursday, September 20, 2012 8:43
OTTAWA - The Harper government announced Thursday a controversial
monument dedicated to fallen diplomats, where a Turkish diplomat was
shot in Ottawa thirty years ago, an attack attributed to Armenian
terrorists.
The monument of wood and metal and cone is dedicated to Colonel Atilla
Altikat, military attache killed the Turkish Embassy, ??and is also
designed to commemorate all the diplomats shot.
Minister of Foreign Affairs John Baird referred to the recent
assassination of the U.S. ambassador to Libya, and three members of
the embassy, ??while unveiling the monument with his Turkish
counterpart Ahmet Davutoglu, who visited Ottawa for the occasion.
The monument symbolizes the same time an olive branch that Canada
tends to Turkey in a blur compensation born in 2006, when the
government decided to recognize the killings of Armenians by Ottoman
Turks during the First World War World were constitutive of genocide.
This gesture had angered Turkey, a NATO ally, and had caused the
temporary withdrawal of its ambassador in Ottawa.
"" The monument today demonstrates the positive feelings the Canadian
government to respect our losses. But obviously, the criminals who
killed the terrorists who killed our colonel here have not been
arrested or found. The investigation is ongoing, "Davutoglu said
Thursday.
Davutoglu has developed the position of his government consisting of
the creation of a commission of historians to discuss with Armenian
historical events that occurred on this subject. He said it was
"unacceptable" that a nation is accused of genocide.
"If Canada wants to contribute to reconciliation between Turks and
Armenians, the best way is to contribute to the creation of these
joint committees, speaking to both parties for a fair and just memory
and working together," said Davutoglu .
Baird has not turned his back to the previous position of his
government, but was in favor of dialogue on this topic.
Baird said appreciate the various sensitivities are also at stake.
Baird said the internal assessment of the foreign policy conduct last
year had identified Turkey as a major player in the world, and as a
country that Canada should be observed closely.
"Turkey is playing a more effective role in diplomacy, said Baird. "Ls
are good partners for Canada. '
The monument was designed and built in Turkey and sent to Canada under
close escort.
"Sadly, Turkey and Canada have lost all talented and distinguished
diplomats in these senseless acts of violence directed against our
country," said Baird.
"Recent events prove tragically. The dangers faced by diplomats and
public servants positions abroad are still an unfortunate reality. '
Canadian Armenians were pleased with the recognition of the Genocide
in 2006 by the government.
Thursday's visit Davutoglu created a stir in the Armenian National
Committee of Canada, asking Baird to call Turkey to change its policy
on human rights, in particular the constant denial of the Armenian
Genocide Turkey.
The organization noted the report of Amnesty International in 2012,
which mentions a lack of constitutional reforms and flaws in the
anti-terrorism laws.
"Canada should not overlook the contempt shown by several centuries
Turkey against human rights," said GIRAIR Basmadjian, the committee
chairman in a statement.
"Canada must condemn attempts by Turkey to deny the historical truth
of Genocide. '
Gilbert translation Béguian
Friday, September 28, 2012,
Stéphane © armenews.com
Ottawa Unveils a Monument to a Turkish Diplomat Shot, while Armenians
remember the Genocide
Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs Ahmet Davutoglu (left to right)
Ayla Alikat, widow of Colonel Attila Altikat; diplomat shot and
Minister of Foreign Affairs John Baird, standing before a monument in
Ottawa, Thursday, Sept. 20 2012, after the ceremony.
The Canadian Press
Posted Thursday, September 20, 2012 8:43
OTTAWA - The Harper government announced Thursday a controversial
monument dedicated to fallen diplomats, where a Turkish diplomat was
shot in Ottawa thirty years ago, an attack attributed to Armenian
terrorists.
The monument of wood and metal and cone is dedicated to Colonel Atilla
Altikat, military attache killed the Turkish Embassy, ??and is also
designed to commemorate all the diplomats shot.
Minister of Foreign Affairs John Baird referred to the recent
assassination of the U.S. ambassador to Libya, and three members of
the embassy, ??while unveiling the monument with his Turkish
counterpart Ahmet Davutoglu, who visited Ottawa for the occasion.
The monument symbolizes the same time an olive branch that Canada
tends to Turkey in a blur compensation born in 2006, when the
government decided to recognize the killings of Armenians by Ottoman
Turks during the First World War World were constitutive of genocide.
This gesture had angered Turkey, a NATO ally, and had caused the
temporary withdrawal of its ambassador in Ottawa.
"" The monument today demonstrates the positive feelings the Canadian
government to respect our losses. But obviously, the criminals who
killed the terrorists who killed our colonel here have not been
arrested or found. The investigation is ongoing, "Davutoglu said
Thursday.
Davutoglu has developed the position of his government consisting of
the creation of a commission of historians to discuss with Armenian
historical events that occurred on this subject. He said it was
"unacceptable" that a nation is accused of genocide.
"If Canada wants to contribute to reconciliation between Turks and
Armenians, the best way is to contribute to the creation of these
joint committees, speaking to both parties for a fair and just memory
and working together," said Davutoglu .
Baird has not turned his back to the previous position of his
government, but was in favor of dialogue on this topic.
Baird said appreciate the various sensitivities are also at stake.
Baird said the internal assessment of the foreign policy conduct last
year had identified Turkey as a major player in the world, and as a
country that Canada should be observed closely.
"Turkey is playing a more effective role in diplomacy, said Baird. "Ls
are good partners for Canada. '
The monument was designed and built in Turkey and sent to Canada under
close escort.
"Sadly, Turkey and Canada have lost all talented and distinguished
diplomats in these senseless acts of violence directed against our
country," said Baird.
"Recent events prove tragically. The dangers faced by diplomats and
public servants positions abroad are still an unfortunate reality. '
Canadian Armenians were pleased with the recognition of the Genocide
in 2006 by the government.
Thursday's visit Davutoglu created a stir in the Armenian National
Committee of Canada, asking Baird to call Turkey to change its policy
on human rights, in particular the constant denial of the Armenian
Genocide Turkey.
The organization noted the report of Amnesty International in 2012,
which mentions a lack of constitutional reforms and flaws in the
anti-terrorism laws.
"Canada should not overlook the contempt shown by several centuries
Turkey against human rights," said GIRAIR Basmadjian, the committee
chairman in a statement.
"Canada must condemn attempts by Turkey to deny the historical truth
of Genocide. '
Gilbert translation Béguian
Friday, September 28, 2012,
Stéphane © armenews.com