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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."
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."