WE SHOULD APOLOGIZE TO ARMENIANS - TURKISH EX-DIPLOMAT
http://news.am/eng/news/144806.html
March 18, 2013 | 00:04
Haber7 News Agency of Turkey interviewed Turkish former diplomat
Volkan Vural who, at present, is a permanent member of the Board of
Directors of the Turkish Industrialists' and Businessmen's Association
(TUSÄ°AD). Below is an excerpt from the talk.
During an interview you said relations should be established with
Armenia, that we should apologize from the Armenians, [but] without
accepting the [Armenian] Genocide. Do you still hold the same view?
Yes. Close to a million Armenians lived in these lands. They are
the children of this land. Several incidents occurred [in these
lands]. In my view, this was a deportation and a tragedy. It is
possible to apologize for this guilt. [But] of course, the Armenians
are at fault, too.
The historians are unable to resolve [this matter]. How will
politicians resolve [it]?
In my view, this is a political matter, and the politicians will
resolve [it]. An apology can be made here, and a call can be made to
the grandchildren of those that died and were deported: "These are
your lands, as well. Come [here], there is place for you, too!" [And
Turkish] citizenship can be granted to those who come.
All right, but what will we do if millions come?
Not that much [will come]. Five-hundred thousand can be the maximum
[that would actually come]. Let it be 600,000, with [their] children
and grandchildren.
Will we open the borders [with Armenia] in 2015 [that is, on the
100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide]?
I think we should open [the borders]; this likewise is very important
for the region of Kars [in Turkey]. Due to not conducting direct trade
[between Armenia and Turkey], third countries are making use of this.
http://news.am/eng/news/144806.html
March 18, 2013 | 00:04
Haber7 News Agency of Turkey interviewed Turkish former diplomat
Volkan Vural who, at present, is a permanent member of the Board of
Directors of the Turkish Industrialists' and Businessmen's Association
(TUSÄ°AD). Below is an excerpt from the talk.
During an interview you said relations should be established with
Armenia, that we should apologize from the Armenians, [but] without
accepting the [Armenian] Genocide. Do you still hold the same view?
Yes. Close to a million Armenians lived in these lands. They are
the children of this land. Several incidents occurred [in these
lands]. In my view, this was a deportation and a tragedy. It is
possible to apologize for this guilt. [But] of course, the Armenians
are at fault, too.
The historians are unable to resolve [this matter]. How will
politicians resolve [it]?
In my view, this is a political matter, and the politicians will
resolve [it]. An apology can be made here, and a call can be made to
the grandchildren of those that died and were deported: "These are
your lands, as well. Come [here], there is place for you, too!" [And
Turkish] citizenship can be granted to those who come.
All right, but what will we do if millions come?
Not that much [will come]. Five-hundred thousand can be the maximum
[that would actually come]. Let it be 600,000, with [their] children
and grandchildren.
Will we open the borders [with Armenia] in 2015 [that is, on the
100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide]?
I think we should open [the borders]; this likewise is very important
for the region of Kars [in Turkey]. Due to not conducting direct trade
[between Armenia and Turkey], third countries are making use of this.