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Daily Sabah, Turkey
April 24 2014
ERDOÄ?AN BECOMES FIRST PM TO SHARE IN ARMENIANS' PAIN
PM ErdoÄ?an extends his condolences to the grandchildren of Armenians
who were victims in 1915 together with other Ottoman citizens in an
unprecedented statement released on the Prime Ministry website in nine
languages
by Daily Sabah
ISTANBUL ' On the eve of the 99th anniversary of the Armenian
incidents in 1915, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip ErdoÄ?an on
Wednesday released a historic message related to the incidents in nine
languages, including Turkish, Armenian, English and French. It is the
first time in the Republic of Turkey's history that the Prime Ministry
has delivered such a message.
"It is a duty of humanity to acknowledge that Armenians remember the
suffering experienced in that period, just like every other citizen of
the Ottoman Empire," ErdoÄ?an said in his significant comments.
The prime minister called for responsibility, saying, "The incidents
of the First World War are our shared pain. To evaluate this painful
period of history through a perspective of just memory is a humane and
scholarly responsibility. 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."
FULL STATEMENT
"The 24th of April carries a particular significance for our Armenian
citizens and for all Armenians around the world, and provides a
valuable opportunity to share opinions freely on a historical matter.
It is indisputable that the last years of the Ottoman Empire were a
difficult period, full of suffering for Turkish, Kurdish, Arab,
Armenian and millions of other Ottoman citizens, regardless of their
religion or ethnic origin. Any conscientious, fair and humanistic
approach to these issues requires an understanding of all the
sufferings endured in this period, without discriminating as to
religion or ethnicity.
Certainly, neither constructing hierarchies of pain nor comparing and
contrasting suffering carries any meaning for those who experienced
this pain themselves. As a Turkish proverb goes, "fire burns the place
where it falls."
It is a duty of humanity to acknowledge that Armenians remember the
suffering experienced in that period, just like every other citizen of
the Ottoman Empire. 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.
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.
The Republic of Turkey will continue to approach every idea with
dignity in line with the universal values of law. Nevertheless, using
the events of 1915 as an excuse for hostility against Turkey and
turning this issue into a matter of political conflict is
inadmissible. The incidents of the First World War are our shared
pain. To evaluate this painful period of history through a perspective
of just memory is a humane and scholarly responsibility.
Millions of people of all religions and ethnicities lost their lives
in the First World War. Having experienced events which had inhumane
consequences - such as relocation - during the First World War, should
not prevent Turks and Armenians from establishing compassion and
mutually humane attitudes among towards one another. In today's world,
deriving enmity from history and creating new antagonisms are neither
acceptable nor useful for building a common future. The spirit of the
age necessitates dialogue despite differences, understanding by
heeding others, evaluating means for compromise, denouncing hatred,
and praising respect and tolerance. 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. 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. 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. 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.
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 twentieth century rest in peace, and we convey our
condolences to their grandchildren.
Regardless of their ethnic or religious origins, we pay tribute, with
compassion and respect, to all Ottoman citizens who lost their lives
in the same period and under similar conditions."
Inside comments
Speaking to a TV program that aired on TV station aHaber,
Turkish-Armenian journalist Etyen Mahçupyan said the government moved
away from the diplomatic state discourse and got closer to the public
memory. He said Prime Minister Recep Tayyip ErdoÄ?an's message is not
only a soft message pointing to remembering shared pains, but also a
message that carries on the state policy.
Describing the message as a symbol of further positive steps,
Mahçupyan said, "This condolence is a turning point, and positive
steps should be taken in this regard. There is enough societal support
for further steps. That's why it is not possible to prevent them."
When asked what kind of effect this message will have in the Armenian
diaspora and Armenia, Mahçupyan said most in the diaspora can find the
message positive and hundreds of Armenians can respond positively to
the message.
On the Armenian Republic's possible response to the message, Mahçupyan
said, "Armenia is more prone to use this message in a positive way
[than the Armenian diaspora] since Armenia wants to come out of its
shell and to connect with the world through Turkey." He noted
nationalists in both countries could not prevent the improvement of
ties between Armenia and Turkey.
The head of the Surp Giragos Church Foundation, Vartkes Ergün Ayık,
praised ErdoÄ?an's historic message on the events of 1915. Ayık said
the Armenian diaspora assumed Turkey stands in the same position as
when they left the country, but when they arrived in Turkey, their
opinion changed. "Armenians made significant contributions to these
lands, but they to leave this region. Relieving their pains should be
the duty of everyone living in these lands," said Ayık.
When asked to comment on Turkey's attempts to open the Ottoman archive
to clarify the 1915 incidents, Ayık said everything that is needed
should be done to relieve the Armenians' pain. He further said
Armenians are optimistic and waiting for positive steps to be taken in
the future.
Turkey's Armenian village's headman Berç Kartum thanked the prime
minister for his message. He said, "I hope both sides take concrete
steps to relieve the pain after this message, and as Turkish
Armenians, we will be pleased with those steps." Kartum said the
incidents are the issue between Turkey and Armenia and that he is
against the Armenian diaspora's involvement in the issue between these
two countries.
http://www.dailysabah.com/politics/2014/04/24/erdogan-becomes-first-pm-to-share-in-armenians-pain
April 24 2014
ERDOÄ?AN BECOMES FIRST PM TO SHARE IN ARMENIANS' PAIN
PM ErdoÄ?an extends his condolences to the grandchildren of Armenians
who were victims in 1915 together with other Ottoman citizens in an
unprecedented statement released on the Prime Ministry website in nine
languages
by Daily Sabah
ISTANBUL ' On the eve of the 99th anniversary of the Armenian
incidents in 1915, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip ErdoÄ?an on
Wednesday released a historic message related to the incidents in nine
languages, including Turkish, Armenian, English and French. It is the
first time in the Republic of Turkey's history that the Prime Ministry
has delivered such a message.
"It is a duty of humanity to acknowledge that Armenians remember the
suffering experienced in that period, just like every other citizen of
the Ottoman Empire," ErdoÄ?an said in his significant comments.
The prime minister called for responsibility, saying, "The incidents
of the First World War are our shared pain. To evaluate this painful
period of history through a perspective of just memory is a humane and
scholarly responsibility. 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."
FULL STATEMENT
"The 24th of April carries a particular significance for our Armenian
citizens and for all Armenians around the world, and provides a
valuable opportunity to share opinions freely on a historical matter.
It is indisputable that the last years of the Ottoman Empire were a
difficult period, full of suffering for Turkish, Kurdish, Arab,
Armenian and millions of other Ottoman citizens, regardless of their
religion or ethnic origin. Any conscientious, fair and humanistic
approach to these issues requires an understanding of all the
sufferings endured in this period, without discriminating as to
religion or ethnicity.
Certainly, neither constructing hierarchies of pain nor comparing and
contrasting suffering carries any meaning for those who experienced
this pain themselves. As a Turkish proverb goes, "fire burns the place
where it falls."
It is a duty of humanity to acknowledge that Armenians remember the
suffering experienced in that period, just like every other citizen of
the Ottoman Empire. 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.
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.
The Republic of Turkey will continue to approach every idea with
dignity in line with the universal values of law. Nevertheless, using
the events of 1915 as an excuse for hostility against Turkey and
turning this issue into a matter of political conflict is
inadmissible. The incidents of the First World War are our shared
pain. To evaluate this painful period of history through a perspective
of just memory is a humane and scholarly responsibility.
Millions of people of all religions and ethnicities lost their lives
in the First World War. Having experienced events which had inhumane
consequences - such as relocation - during the First World War, should
not prevent Turks and Armenians from establishing compassion and
mutually humane attitudes among towards one another. In today's world,
deriving enmity from history and creating new antagonisms are neither
acceptable nor useful for building a common future. The spirit of the
age necessitates dialogue despite differences, understanding by
heeding others, evaluating means for compromise, denouncing hatred,
and praising respect and tolerance. 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. 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. 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. 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.
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 twentieth century rest in peace, and we convey our
condolences to their grandchildren.
Regardless of their ethnic or religious origins, we pay tribute, with
compassion and respect, to all Ottoman citizens who lost their lives
in the same period and under similar conditions."
Inside comments
Speaking to a TV program that aired on TV station aHaber,
Turkish-Armenian journalist Etyen Mahçupyan said the government moved
away from the diplomatic state discourse and got closer to the public
memory. He said Prime Minister Recep Tayyip ErdoÄ?an's message is not
only a soft message pointing to remembering shared pains, but also a
message that carries on the state policy.
Describing the message as a symbol of further positive steps,
Mahçupyan said, "This condolence is a turning point, and positive
steps should be taken in this regard. There is enough societal support
for further steps. That's why it is not possible to prevent them."
When asked what kind of effect this message will have in the Armenian
diaspora and Armenia, Mahçupyan said most in the diaspora can find the
message positive and hundreds of Armenians can respond positively to
the message.
On the Armenian Republic's possible response to the message, Mahçupyan
said, "Armenia is more prone to use this message in a positive way
[than the Armenian diaspora] since Armenia wants to come out of its
shell and to connect with the world through Turkey." He noted
nationalists in both countries could not prevent the improvement of
ties between Armenia and Turkey.
The head of the Surp Giragos Church Foundation, Vartkes Ergün Ayık,
praised ErdoÄ?an's historic message on the events of 1915. Ayık said
the Armenian diaspora assumed Turkey stands in the same position as
when they left the country, but when they arrived in Turkey, their
opinion changed. "Armenians made significant contributions to these
lands, but they to leave this region. Relieving their pains should be
the duty of everyone living in these lands," said Ayık.
When asked to comment on Turkey's attempts to open the Ottoman archive
to clarify the 1915 incidents, Ayık said everything that is needed
should be done to relieve the Armenians' pain. He further said
Armenians are optimistic and waiting for positive steps to be taken in
the future.
Turkey's Armenian village's headman Berç Kartum thanked the prime
minister for his message. He said, "I hope both sides take concrete
steps to relieve the pain after this message, and as Turkish
Armenians, we will be pleased with those steps." Kartum said the
incidents are the issue between Turkey and Armenia and that he is
against the Armenian diaspora's involvement in the issue between these
two countries.
http://www.dailysabah.com/politics/2014/04/24/erdogan-becomes-first-pm-to-share-in-armenians-pain