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ANKARA: PM Erdogan Stresses 'Shared Pain' In Statement On Armenian I

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  • ANKARA: PM Erdogan Stresses 'Shared Pain' In Statement On Armenian I

    PM ERDOŠAN STRESSES 'SHARED PAIN' IN STATEMENT ON ARMENIAN ISSUE

    Hurriyet Daily News, Turkey
    April 23 2014

    ANKARA

    Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdošan has issued a landmark statement on
    the eve of the commemoration of the 99th anniversary of 1915. AA Photo

    Large crowd including activists and intellectuals commemorate 1915
    in Istanbul

    The first call for Turkish-Armenian reconciliation

    US welcomes Turkish PM's 'historic' condolences to Armenians

    Turkey has issued a first-ever statement offering condolences to the
    descendants of slain Ottoman Armenians just a day before of 99th
    anniversary of the mass killings of Armenians at the hands of the
    Ottoman Empire during World War I.

    Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdošan highlighted the "shared pain"
    endured during the 1915 events in a historic statement April 23 on
    the Armenian issue, expressing condolences on behalf of the Turkish
    state to the grandchildren of Armenians who lost their lives "in the
    context of the early 20th century."

    In a first-of-its-kind statement released by the Prime Minister's
    Office, Erdošan said April 24 carries "particular significance for
    our Armenian citizens and for all Armenians around the world."

    Click on the languages to read the complete statement in English,
    French, German, Spanish, Arabic, Russian, Eastern Armenian and
    Western Armenian

    Speaking to reporters April 23, Erdošan said it was always Turkey that
    had taken steps for reconciliation but that it was now the Armenian
    side's turn to take steps toward Turkey.

    Arguing that all ethnicities in the late years of the Ottoman Empire
    experienced a hard time full of pain, Erdošan called for a just, humane
    and conscientious bearing to commemorate all tragedies experienced
    during the era.

    "The incidents of World War I are our shared pain. To evaluate this
    painful period of history through a perspective of just memory is a
    humane and scholarly responsibility," he said.

    Erdošan's statement also stressed the importance of freedom of
    expression and respect for plurality regarding history.

    "In Turkey, expressing different opinions and thoughts freely on the
    events of 1915 is the requirement of a pluralistic perspective, as
    well as of a culture of democracy and modernity," the statement said.

    "Some may perceive this climate of freedom in Turkey as an opportunity
    to express accusatory, offensive and even provocative assertions and
    allegations. Even so, if this will enable us to better understand
    historical issues with their legal aspects and to transform resentment
    to friendship again, it is natural to approach different discourses
    with empathy and tolerance and expect a similar attitude from all
    sides," he said.

    "It is with this understanding that we have opened our archives to
    all researchers. Today, hundreds of thousands of documents in our
    archives are at the service of historians," Erdošan said.

    "Looking to the future with confidence, Turkey has always supported
    scholarly and comprehensive studies for an accurate understanding of
    history. The people of Anatolia, who lived together for centuries
    regardless of their different ethnic and religious origins, have
    established common values in every field from art to diplomacy,
    from state administration to commerce. Today they continue to have
    the same ability to create a new future," he said.

    "It is our hope and belief that the peoples of an ancient and unique
    geography, who share similar customs and manners, will be able to talk
    to each other about the past with maturity and to remember together
    their losses in a decent manner. And it is with this hope and belief
    that we wish that the Armenians who lost their lives in the context
    of the early 20th century rest in peace, and we convey our condolences
    to their grandchildren," he said.

    Armenians will mark the 99th anniversary of the tragedy this year
    on April 24, the date on which the mass deportations of hundreds
    of thousands of Ottoman Armenians started when a telegram by
    Ottoman Interior Minister Talat Paža ordered provincial governors
    and commanders - especially in the eastern regions to which the
    Tsarist Russian army was advancing - to forcibly deport the Armenian
    population.

    Armenians describe the events as "genocide" and demand its recognition
    by Ankara. Turkey claims the killings should be understood in the
    context of World War I.

    A resolution that recognizes the killings of Ottoman Armenians as
    a genocide, which passed at the U.S. Senate's Foreign Relations
    Committee on April 10 by bipartisan vote, failed to reach the floor
    earlier this month.

    "With this understanding, we, as the Turkish Republic, have called for
    the establishment of a joint historical commission in order to study
    the events of 1915 in a scholarly manner," Erdošan's statement said.

    "This call remains valid. Scholarly research to be carried out
    by Turkish, Armenian and international historians would play a
    significant role in shedding light on the events of 1915 and an
    accurate understanding of history."

    Statement a surprise

    The statement was a complete surprise to some Armenian analysts,
    who said Erdošan's statement was like an "olive branch" and an
    "expression of humanity."

    "[The statement] was unexpected because Erdošan was percieved to be
    the main obstacle in the reconciliation process with Armenia. This
    statement is almost like an olive branch," said Richard Giragosian,
    the director of the Yerevan-based think tank Regional Studies, adding
    that it was significant that he talked about "common pain."

    "It was done in a very sophisticated manner since it was also publised
    in both Eastern and Western Armenian," he said, adding that it targeted
    the Armenian diaspora, Yerevan and internal public opinion.

    "I believe Ankara is also trying to reach out to Yerevan since I know
    that the Armenian goverment has told the Turkish government that it
    will delegate the activities for the centenial of 1915 to the Armenian
    diaspora. In other words, it will be the diaspora rather than the
    Armenian government that will take center stage for the activities,"
    Giragosian said.

    Touching on the different public perceptions of Erdošan and President
    Abdullah Gul, he said: "Erdošan has been a polarizing leader; the
    statement almost sounded as if it was President Abdullah Gul speaking.

    This statement gives a softer image of Erdošan and reflects his
    confidence after [the March 30] elections as well as prior to
    presidential elections."

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