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TURKISH HISTORY BODY 'PROFILING' SCHOLARS WORKING ON ARMENIAN ISSUE: REPORT
Hurriyet Daily News, Turkey
Dec 13 2013
ANKARA
TTK chief Metin Hulagu denied that the body had been "profiling"
scholars. AA Photo
The Turkish Historical Society (TTK) has been "profiling" scholars
and students working on the Armenian issue, weekly Agos has reported.
According to the report, the TTK demanded the names, contact
information and area of study of PhD and master's degree students
from the Higher Education Board (YOK).
TTK chief Metin Hulagu denied that the body had been "profiling"
scholars, but admitted that they gathered information on academic work.
"This fabricated story is an urban legend. They don't use the real
meaning of 'profiling.' As the TTK we never profile, we are an academic
institution. Profiling is a hot topic these days and somebody wants
us to be a part of it," Hulagu told the Hurriyet Daily News.
"As the TTK, we carry out these works in cooperation with universities
and we release some researchers' books," he said, adding that the
work of his society was to focus on all kinds of subjects, including
the Armenian issue.
However, two academics, who spoke to the Daily News on condition of
anonymity, said they were not surprised that their information had
been sought by official bodies, but added that the TTK's involvement
was surprising.
"As university researchers, we already knew that YOK was doing
profiling about those of us who were doing research on the Armenian
issue, but we are really surprised to hear that TTK was also involved,"
said one Turkish historian.
He added that in recent years many young Turkish historians had been
conducting research on the Armenian issue, but had concerns about
their future career in Turkey because of their chosen research topic.
"The young generation of Turkish historians wants to break the
'Armenian taboo' [in Turkey]," he said, urging Turkey to face "the
reality" and leave behind "100 years of denial politics."
Another historian, a 35-year-old currently completing his doctorate
degree in the Netherlands, said he had moved out of Turkey because
of such concerns.
"I couldn't continue researching in an atmosphere like that," he said.
Vercihan Ziflioglu from the Istanbul office contributed to this report
December/13/2013
Hurriyet Daily News, Turkey
Dec 13 2013
ANKARA
TTK chief Metin Hulagu denied that the body had been "profiling"
scholars. AA Photo
The Turkish Historical Society (TTK) has been "profiling" scholars
and students working on the Armenian issue, weekly Agos has reported.
According to the report, the TTK demanded the names, contact
information and area of study of PhD and master's degree students
from the Higher Education Board (YOK).
TTK chief Metin Hulagu denied that the body had been "profiling"
scholars, but admitted that they gathered information on academic work.
"This fabricated story is an urban legend. They don't use the real
meaning of 'profiling.' As the TTK we never profile, we are an academic
institution. Profiling is a hot topic these days and somebody wants
us to be a part of it," Hulagu told the Hurriyet Daily News.
"As the TTK, we carry out these works in cooperation with universities
and we release some researchers' books," he said, adding that the
work of his society was to focus on all kinds of subjects, including
the Armenian issue.
However, two academics, who spoke to the Daily News on condition of
anonymity, said they were not surprised that their information had
been sought by official bodies, but added that the TTK's involvement
was surprising.
"As university researchers, we already knew that YOK was doing
profiling about those of us who were doing research on the Armenian
issue, but we are really surprised to hear that TTK was also involved,"
said one Turkish historian.
He added that in recent years many young Turkish historians had been
conducting research on the Armenian issue, but had concerns about
their future career in Turkey because of their chosen research topic.
"The young generation of Turkish historians wants to break the
'Armenian taboo' [in Turkey]," he said, urging Turkey to face "the
reality" and leave behind "100 years of denial politics."
Another historian, a 35-year-old currently completing his doctorate
degree in the Netherlands, said he had moved out of Turkey because
of such concerns.
"I couldn't continue researching in an atmosphere like that," he said.
Vercihan Ziflioglu from the Istanbul office contributed to this report
December/13/2013