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Daily Sabah, Turkey
April 25 2014
ARMENIANS IN TURKEY PRAISE ERDOÄ?AN'S COURAGE, OTHERS SURPRISED AND CONFUSED
by Yusuf Selman Ä°nanç
Updated : 25.04.2014 10:22:45
Published : 24.04.2014 23:19:44
ANKARA ' Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's statement on the 1915
incidents, delivering his condolences to the victims' families and
stating that he shares the pain, have echoed strongly in the world. In
many non-Turkish media outlets, it was considered surprising to hear
such a statement from Turkey's prime minister. In the statement
released earlier on Wednesday, Erdogan underlined the "shared pain"
endured during World War I and expressed his condolences to the
grandchildren of Armenians who lost their lives "in the context of the
early 20th century."
The website of the German daily Tagesspiegel said it was the first
time that a Turkish leader had delivered such a statement, but
stressed it was not an official apology. It also emphasized that the
prime minister's announcement was released in Armenian and called it
an "extraordinary step." The website of the Süddeutsche Zeitung daily
said the statement was "surprising."
German national broadcaster Deutsche Welle commented that Turkey has
extended its hand to Armenia and named the statement an "unusual
gesture."
Meanwhile, the France 24 channel said such a statement was "very rare
and something that should be underlined."
The Le Monde French daily said it was the first time that Erdogan had
talked explicitly about the 1915 incidents, while the Le Parisien
daily called the step a "political earthquake."
The Washington Post wrote that Erdogan's condolences were
"remarkable," as the events of 1915 have been spoken of very little.
The Wall Street Journal said Erdogan delivered a "conciliatory" and
unprecedented message, as the 100th anniversary of what the newspaper
called the "Armenian Genocide" approaches next year. ''Erdogan
reiterated a long-held Turkish position that the deaths of millions of
people during the violence of the period should be remembered without
discriminating as to religion or ethnicity,"
Reuters reported. The Guardian newspaper said the events of 1915 have
caused an "unpleasant" dispute between Turkey and Armenia.
Turks and Armenians (residing in Turkey) were not surprised with the
statement as they have been observing the improvements in Turkey's
stance on human rights, democracy and its policies, shedding the
previously established highly nationalist approach to the country and
region's history.
A prominent Armenian intellectual residing in Turkey, Markar Esayan,
said: "My family and I have praised the statement. Erdogan's words
made us really happy. It was a historic day for us." Touching on the
differences between the diaspora and Turkish Armenians, Esayan said,
"Armenians living in Turkey are aware of the change and the reforms.
They demand more reform and democracy as the Turks do. They can make a
comparison between Turkey's previous approach to the 1915 incidents
and the changing stance in the Justice and Development Party's (AK
Party) era."
He added, "The diaspora left Turkey 99 years ago. They may not see the
change as clearly as Turkish Armenians.
Yet, Turkey must admit that the diaspora will adapt itself to this
change as time goes by." He also underlined the difference between
officials of the diaspora, including lobbies and foundations, and
ordinary people. "My friends and relatives that I spoke to were so
happy on Wednesday," he added.
The Armenian Archbishop in Turkey, Aram Atesyan, supported Prime
Minister Erdogan's condolences on Thursday, describing the message as
an "exiting" and "historic" move. "The prime minister's speech and
attitude relieved the Armenians' grievances,"
Atesyan said. "This statement is a true response to those who are
against Turkey's peace process," he added in appreciation on behalf of
himself and the Patriarchate. "I'm sure the statement is an important
step to build up new friendship bridges in the future,"
Atesyan stated. The Archbishop said it's the first time a high-ranking
government official made such a statement in Turkey.
Dikran Gülmezgil, head of the Armenian community foundation
Karagözyan, said "Mr. Prime Minister's attitude to Armenian citizens
was quite positive, and his latest statement satisfied us. God bless
the Turkish PM." Gülmezgil added that the statement will positively
affect the 1915 process, and it may moderate the diaspora's negative
stance. The Armenian Patriarchate released a statement yesterday,
expressing its pleasure with the Prime Ministry statement. In the
text, the Prime Ministry statement was described as a significant
milestone for building a bridge between the Turkish and Armenian
nations. It also noted: "Mr. Erdogan's statement has opened a new page
in the two nations' relations.
We as the Armenians, citizens of the Turkish Republic, believe that
the day when Turkish and Armenian people's pain stops is coming."
Orhan Dink, brother of prominent Turkish-Armenian intellectual and
journalist Hrant Dink who was murdered in 2007, told the U.K.-based
newspaper The Guardian: "Today's message of condolence is a very
important step. If democracy is to be built in Turkey, this is one of
the most basic bricks to do so. Both for Armenians in Turkey and for
me, it is important that the prime minister of the Republic of Turkey
made such a statement. Some might say that it came late, but the
important thing is that this first step was made. This step has to
bring both societies toward normalization."
Despite Turkey's efforts and Turkish Armenians' positive response to
the prime minister, the diaspora preferred to repeat previous
allegations. Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) Executive
Director Aram Hamparian said Turkey was highly isolated over its
approach to the 1915 incidents, pointing out, "Ankara is repackaging
its genocide denials. The fact remains that, as this cold-hearted and
cynical ploy so plainly demonstrates, Turkey is, today, escalating its
denial of truth and obstruction of justice for the
Armenian genocide."
April 25 2014
ARMENIANS IN TURKEY PRAISE ERDOÄ?AN'S COURAGE, OTHERS SURPRISED AND CONFUSED
by Yusuf Selman Ä°nanç
Updated : 25.04.2014 10:22:45
Published : 24.04.2014 23:19:44
ANKARA ' Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's statement on the 1915
incidents, delivering his condolences to the victims' families and
stating that he shares the pain, have echoed strongly in the world. In
many non-Turkish media outlets, it was considered surprising to hear
such a statement from Turkey's prime minister. In the statement
released earlier on Wednesday, Erdogan underlined the "shared pain"
endured during World War I and expressed his condolences to the
grandchildren of Armenians who lost their lives "in the context of the
early 20th century."
The website of the German daily Tagesspiegel said it was the first
time that a Turkish leader had delivered such a statement, but
stressed it was not an official apology. It also emphasized that the
prime minister's announcement was released in Armenian and called it
an "extraordinary step." The website of the Süddeutsche Zeitung daily
said the statement was "surprising."
German national broadcaster Deutsche Welle commented that Turkey has
extended its hand to Armenia and named the statement an "unusual
gesture."
Meanwhile, the France 24 channel said such a statement was "very rare
and something that should be underlined."
The Le Monde French daily said it was the first time that Erdogan had
talked explicitly about the 1915 incidents, while the Le Parisien
daily called the step a "political earthquake."
The Washington Post wrote that Erdogan's condolences were
"remarkable," as the events of 1915 have been spoken of very little.
The Wall Street Journal said Erdogan delivered a "conciliatory" and
unprecedented message, as the 100th anniversary of what the newspaper
called the "Armenian Genocide" approaches next year. ''Erdogan
reiterated a long-held Turkish position that the deaths of millions of
people during the violence of the period should be remembered without
discriminating as to religion or ethnicity,"
Reuters reported. The Guardian newspaper said the events of 1915 have
caused an "unpleasant" dispute between Turkey and Armenia.
Turks and Armenians (residing in Turkey) were not surprised with the
statement as they have been observing the improvements in Turkey's
stance on human rights, democracy and its policies, shedding the
previously established highly nationalist approach to the country and
region's history.
A prominent Armenian intellectual residing in Turkey, Markar Esayan,
said: "My family and I have praised the statement. Erdogan's words
made us really happy. It was a historic day for us." Touching on the
differences between the diaspora and Turkish Armenians, Esayan said,
"Armenians living in Turkey are aware of the change and the reforms.
They demand more reform and democracy as the Turks do. They can make a
comparison between Turkey's previous approach to the 1915 incidents
and the changing stance in the Justice and Development Party's (AK
Party) era."
He added, "The diaspora left Turkey 99 years ago. They may not see the
change as clearly as Turkish Armenians.
Yet, Turkey must admit that the diaspora will adapt itself to this
change as time goes by." He also underlined the difference between
officials of the diaspora, including lobbies and foundations, and
ordinary people. "My friends and relatives that I spoke to were so
happy on Wednesday," he added.
The Armenian Archbishop in Turkey, Aram Atesyan, supported Prime
Minister Erdogan's condolences on Thursday, describing the message as
an "exiting" and "historic" move. "The prime minister's speech and
attitude relieved the Armenians' grievances,"
Atesyan said. "This statement is a true response to those who are
against Turkey's peace process," he added in appreciation on behalf of
himself and the Patriarchate. "I'm sure the statement is an important
step to build up new friendship bridges in the future,"
Atesyan stated. The Archbishop said it's the first time a high-ranking
government official made such a statement in Turkey.
Dikran Gülmezgil, head of the Armenian community foundation
Karagözyan, said "Mr. Prime Minister's attitude to Armenian citizens
was quite positive, and his latest statement satisfied us. God bless
the Turkish PM." Gülmezgil added that the statement will positively
affect the 1915 process, and it may moderate the diaspora's negative
stance. The Armenian Patriarchate released a statement yesterday,
expressing its pleasure with the Prime Ministry statement. In the
text, the Prime Ministry statement was described as a significant
milestone for building a bridge between the Turkish and Armenian
nations. It also noted: "Mr. Erdogan's statement has opened a new page
in the two nations' relations.
We as the Armenians, citizens of the Turkish Republic, believe that
the day when Turkish and Armenian people's pain stops is coming."
Orhan Dink, brother of prominent Turkish-Armenian intellectual and
journalist Hrant Dink who was murdered in 2007, told the U.K.-based
newspaper The Guardian: "Today's message of condolence is a very
important step. If democracy is to be built in Turkey, this is one of
the most basic bricks to do so. Both for Armenians in Turkey and for
me, it is important that the prime minister of the Republic of Turkey
made such a statement. Some might say that it came late, but the
important thing is that this first step was made. This step has to
bring both societies toward normalization."
Despite Turkey's efforts and Turkish Armenians' positive response to
the prime minister, the diaspora preferred to repeat previous
allegations. Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) Executive
Director Aram Hamparian said Turkey was highly isolated over its
approach to the 1915 incidents, pointing out, "Ankara is repackaging
its genocide denials. The fact remains that, as this cold-hearted and
cynical ploy so plainly demonstrates, Turkey is, today, escalating its
denial of truth and obstruction of justice for the
Armenian genocide."