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Today;s Zaman, Turkey
April 25 2014
Turkey's 1915 statement wins praise from West but Armenia unimpressed
Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan (L) and Turkish Prime Minister Recep
Tayyip ErdoÄ?an meet for a bilateral meeting during nuclear security
summit in Washington April 12, 2010. (Photo: Reuters)
April 24, 2014, Thursday/ 21:13:43/ TODAY'S ZAMAN
While the West and Armenians in Turkey have welcomed a statement from
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip ErdoÄ?an regarding the events of 1915 on
the eve of their 99th anniversary, in which he extended condolences
from Turkey to Armenians for the first time in the history of the
Turkish Republic, Armenia does not seem satisfied.
Armenian President Serzh Sarksyan made a statement on Wednesday
regarding the 1915 events, but he did not mention ErdoÄ?an's statement
made earlier the same day. Sarksyan said Turkey is in `utter denial'
of what Armenia sees as genocide under Ottoman rule 99 years ago.
In a historic first for the Turkish Republic, ErdoÄ?an extended
condolences to the grandchildren of Armenians who lost their lives in
1915. His surprising statement came just one day before April 24, when
Armenians commemorate the events they describe as genocide under
Ottoman rule. The statement was issued by the Prime Ministry on
Wednesday in nine languages -- Turkish, German, French, English,
Spanish, Russian, Arabic, Western Armenian and Eastern Armenian -- in
a move to make a sure the statement is heard and understood by a wide
audience.
`It is our hope and belief that the peoples of an ancient and unique
land, who share similar customs and manners, will be able to maturely
talk to each other about the past and to remember their shared 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,' said the statement.
`Regardless of 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,' ErdoÄ?an added.
Sarksyan underlined: "[1.5 million] Armenians fell prey to a crime
that did not have a name at that time. Nor had any human language
coined such an expression or a term yet. They were killed simply
because they were Armenians. The crime, designed minutely and in
advance, pursued a clear goal to take possession of the home country,
the property and the 100-year-old heritage by exterminating the native
people living there. This way, they committed a monstrous crime,
seeking to once and forever annihilate Armenians as a political
factor.'
Sarksyan said the `Armenian genocide' was not initiated nor put an end
to on one specific day, adding: `Moreover, it is [still] alive so long
as the successors of Ottoman Turkey continue their policy of utter
denial. We are convinced that the denial of a crime constitutes the
direct continuation of that very crime. Only recognition and
condemnation can prevent the repetition of such crimes in the future.'
With only a year remaining before the 100th anniversary of the
`Armenian genocide,' Sarksyan said Turkey can repent and to set aside
the historical stigma if they try to set their state's future free
from this heavy burden. `At the same time, I publicly reaffirm that we
do not consider Turkish society to be an enemy. Bowing to the memory
of the innocent victims, we remember all those Turks and Turkish
families who lent a helping hand to their Armenian neighbors and
friends, [to protect them from] being annihilated by the barbarians,
and [those who] helped numerous Armenian children escape from the
clutches of mobs,' he said.
Sarksyan also mentioned the Armenians living in the town of Kessab in
Syria. `Today, the Armenians of Syria are in trouble. This is an open
wound and the issue is of primary concern for us. We are doing our
best to re-establish peace for Syrian people and our compatriots in
Syria,' he added.
Stressing that centennial of the events should have symbolic
importance for Turkey, Sarksyan said, `The attitude [of Turkey] toward
Armenia can no longer be measured by words, because it requires clear
steps: the opening of closed borders and the establishment of normal
relations.'
A group of Armenians burned Turkish flags in protest of the 1915
killings of Armenians in Yerevan on Thursday. Russian press outlets
reported that a group of protesters chanted slogans calling on Turkey
to recognize the `Armenian genocide.' Then the protesters burned a
Turkish flag with torches.
French President François Hollande attended an "Armenian Genocide"
commemoration ceremony on Thursday in Paris, near a monument to
Soghomon Soghomonian, commonly known as Komitas, who was an Armenian
priest, composer, choir leader, singer, music ethnologist, music
pedagogue and musicologist. Hollande attended the commemoration
ceremony for the first time since his election to the presidential
post in 2012.
`Cold hearted and cynical'
`Increasingly isolated internationally, Ankara is repacking its
genocide denials,' executive director of the US-based Armenian
National Committee of America (ANCA) Aram Hamparian said in a
statement on Wednesday.
"Prime Minister ErdoÄ?an, in his statement today, attempts, in vain, to
escape responsibility for the Armenian Genocide, by somehow
downgrading this still unpunished international crime to the level of
a simple, unresolved bilateral conflict. Neither the facts nor any of
the world's commonly accepted codes of law or morality support this
twisted view,' Hamparian said, adding, "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."
The US Department of State has welcomed ErdoÄ?an's statement on the
events of 1915. `We welcome Prime Minister ErdoÄ?an's historic public
acknowledgement of the suffering that Armenians experienced in 1915',
said US Department of State Spokesperson Jen Psaki on Wednesday. `We
believe this is a positive indication that there can be a full, frank
and just acknowledgement of the facts, which we hope will advance the
cause of reconciliation between Turks and Armenians,' Psaki added. She
further stated, `We think it was a positive step.'
European Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighborhood Policy
Stefan Füle also welcomed ErdoÄ?an's statement with a message on his
personal Twitter account on Wednesday, saying "reconciliation is key
EU value" and that he hopes "steps in this spirit will follow."
Archbishop Aram AteÅ?yan, deputy patriarch of the Armenian
Patriarchate, based in Ä°stanbul, said ErdoÄ?an's statement was
`exciting and historic.' According to Turkish press reports on
Thursday, AteÅ?yan said the prime minister's statement helped to ease
the pain of Armenians. He welcomed the statement and thanked ErdoÄ?an
for it, adding that this statement will be the foundation for a
friendship between Turks and Armenians. `For the first time, we are
hearing such a statement from a top Turkish official. This statement
will make Turkish Armenians and Armenians around the world happy. This
is a start of beautiful days and the start of a friendship bridge,'
AteÅ?yan said.
Dikran Gülmezgil, the president of Karagözyan, one of the foundations
of the Armenian community in Turkey, also welcomed the statement and
pointed out that ErdoÄ?an has been very warm towards the Armenian
community for a long time. `Personally, I am very happy,' said
Gülmezgil, noting that the statement may soften the attitude of
members of the Armenian diaspora towards Turkey.
Following his statement on the 1915 events, ErdoÄ?an attended a
reception fort he National Sovereignty and Children's Day celebrations
at Parliament.
Stressing there is a need for normalization in the Middle East,
ErdoÄ?an said he hopes there will be steps taken to stabilize
Turkish-Israeli relations in 2014-2015 and added that the Foreign
Ministry is working hard for that. When asked if Turkey would open its
border with Armenia in order to establish diplomatic relations,
ErdoÄ?an stressed that without a solution on some issues, such as that
surrounding Nagorno-Karabakh, Turkey can't approve of opening the
border.
Nagorno-Karabakh is a disputed enclave between Azerbaijan and Armenia.
Armenia occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijani territory in the early
1990s, including Nagorno-Karabakh, which is primarily populated by
Armenians, and seven adjacent provinces. Diplomatic efforts to find an
enduring solution to the conflict have failed for the past 20 years,
but Azerbaijan vows to get its territories back by force, if
necessary.
Turkey closed its borders with Armenia in 1993 in solidarity with
Azerbaijan. The issue of Armenia's withdrawal from the area
surrounding Nagorno-Karabakh is of importance to Ankara, which has
frequently signaled that this step would ease the way for the
reopening of the border with Armenia.
Speaking to journalists at the same reception, Foreign Minister Ahmet
DavutoÄ?lu said the prime minister's statement was not issued under
pressure by anyone and that it should be seen as a `call' to
Armenians. Stressing that Turkey is attempting to share the pain of
Armenians, DavutoÄ?lu expressed his hope hat Armenians would positively
respond to the prime minister's call so that Turks and Armenians can
build a future and make history together.
From: A. Papazian
April 25 2014
Turkey's 1915 statement wins praise from West but Armenia unimpressed
Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan (L) and Turkish Prime Minister Recep
Tayyip ErdoÄ?an meet for a bilateral meeting during nuclear security
summit in Washington April 12, 2010. (Photo: Reuters)
April 24, 2014, Thursday/ 21:13:43/ TODAY'S ZAMAN
While the West and Armenians in Turkey have welcomed a statement from
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip ErdoÄ?an regarding the events of 1915 on
the eve of their 99th anniversary, in which he extended condolences
from Turkey to Armenians for the first time in the history of the
Turkish Republic, Armenia does not seem satisfied.
Armenian President Serzh Sarksyan made a statement on Wednesday
regarding the 1915 events, but he did not mention ErdoÄ?an's statement
made earlier the same day. Sarksyan said Turkey is in `utter denial'
of what Armenia sees as genocide under Ottoman rule 99 years ago.
In a historic first for the Turkish Republic, ErdoÄ?an extended
condolences to the grandchildren of Armenians who lost their lives in
1915. His surprising statement came just one day before April 24, when
Armenians commemorate the events they describe as genocide under
Ottoman rule. The statement was issued by the Prime Ministry on
Wednesday in nine languages -- Turkish, German, French, English,
Spanish, Russian, Arabic, Western Armenian and Eastern Armenian -- in
a move to make a sure the statement is heard and understood by a wide
audience.
`It is our hope and belief that the peoples of an ancient and unique
land, who share similar customs and manners, will be able to maturely
talk to each other about the past and to remember their shared 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,' said the statement.
`Regardless of 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,' ErdoÄ?an added.
Sarksyan underlined: "[1.5 million] Armenians fell prey to a crime
that did not have a name at that time. Nor had any human language
coined such an expression or a term yet. They were killed simply
because they were Armenians. The crime, designed minutely and in
advance, pursued a clear goal to take possession of the home country,
the property and the 100-year-old heritage by exterminating the native
people living there. This way, they committed a monstrous crime,
seeking to once and forever annihilate Armenians as a political
factor.'
Sarksyan said the `Armenian genocide' was not initiated nor put an end
to on one specific day, adding: `Moreover, it is [still] alive so long
as the successors of Ottoman Turkey continue their policy of utter
denial. We are convinced that the denial of a crime constitutes the
direct continuation of that very crime. Only recognition and
condemnation can prevent the repetition of such crimes in the future.'
With only a year remaining before the 100th anniversary of the
`Armenian genocide,' Sarksyan said Turkey can repent and to set aside
the historical stigma if they try to set their state's future free
from this heavy burden. `At the same time, I publicly reaffirm that we
do not consider Turkish society to be an enemy. Bowing to the memory
of the innocent victims, we remember all those Turks and Turkish
families who lent a helping hand to their Armenian neighbors and
friends, [to protect them from] being annihilated by the barbarians,
and [those who] helped numerous Armenian children escape from the
clutches of mobs,' he said.
Sarksyan also mentioned the Armenians living in the town of Kessab in
Syria. `Today, the Armenians of Syria are in trouble. This is an open
wound and the issue is of primary concern for us. We are doing our
best to re-establish peace for Syrian people and our compatriots in
Syria,' he added.
Stressing that centennial of the events should have symbolic
importance for Turkey, Sarksyan said, `The attitude [of Turkey] toward
Armenia can no longer be measured by words, because it requires clear
steps: the opening of closed borders and the establishment of normal
relations.'
A group of Armenians burned Turkish flags in protest of the 1915
killings of Armenians in Yerevan on Thursday. Russian press outlets
reported that a group of protesters chanted slogans calling on Turkey
to recognize the `Armenian genocide.' Then the protesters burned a
Turkish flag with torches.
French President François Hollande attended an "Armenian Genocide"
commemoration ceremony on Thursday in Paris, near a monument to
Soghomon Soghomonian, commonly known as Komitas, who was an Armenian
priest, composer, choir leader, singer, music ethnologist, music
pedagogue and musicologist. Hollande attended the commemoration
ceremony for the first time since his election to the presidential
post in 2012.
`Cold hearted and cynical'
`Increasingly isolated internationally, Ankara is repacking its
genocide denials,' executive director of the US-based Armenian
National Committee of America (ANCA) Aram Hamparian said in a
statement on Wednesday.
"Prime Minister ErdoÄ?an, in his statement today, attempts, in vain, to
escape responsibility for the Armenian Genocide, by somehow
downgrading this still unpunished international crime to the level of
a simple, unresolved bilateral conflict. Neither the facts nor any of
the world's commonly accepted codes of law or morality support this
twisted view,' Hamparian said, adding, "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."
The US Department of State has welcomed ErdoÄ?an's statement on the
events of 1915. `We welcome Prime Minister ErdoÄ?an's historic public
acknowledgement of the suffering that Armenians experienced in 1915',
said US Department of State Spokesperson Jen Psaki on Wednesday. `We
believe this is a positive indication that there can be a full, frank
and just acknowledgement of the facts, which we hope will advance the
cause of reconciliation between Turks and Armenians,' Psaki added. She
further stated, `We think it was a positive step.'
European Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighborhood Policy
Stefan Füle also welcomed ErdoÄ?an's statement with a message on his
personal Twitter account on Wednesday, saying "reconciliation is key
EU value" and that he hopes "steps in this spirit will follow."
Archbishop Aram AteÅ?yan, deputy patriarch of the Armenian
Patriarchate, based in Ä°stanbul, said ErdoÄ?an's statement was
`exciting and historic.' According to Turkish press reports on
Thursday, AteÅ?yan said the prime minister's statement helped to ease
the pain of Armenians. He welcomed the statement and thanked ErdoÄ?an
for it, adding that this statement will be the foundation for a
friendship between Turks and Armenians. `For the first time, we are
hearing such a statement from a top Turkish official. This statement
will make Turkish Armenians and Armenians around the world happy. This
is a start of beautiful days and the start of a friendship bridge,'
AteÅ?yan said.
Dikran Gülmezgil, the president of Karagözyan, one of the foundations
of the Armenian community in Turkey, also welcomed the statement and
pointed out that ErdoÄ?an has been very warm towards the Armenian
community for a long time. `Personally, I am very happy,' said
Gülmezgil, noting that the statement may soften the attitude of
members of the Armenian diaspora towards Turkey.
Following his statement on the 1915 events, ErdoÄ?an attended a
reception fort he National Sovereignty and Children's Day celebrations
at Parliament.
Stressing there is a need for normalization in the Middle East,
ErdoÄ?an said he hopes there will be steps taken to stabilize
Turkish-Israeli relations in 2014-2015 and added that the Foreign
Ministry is working hard for that. When asked if Turkey would open its
border with Armenia in order to establish diplomatic relations,
ErdoÄ?an stressed that without a solution on some issues, such as that
surrounding Nagorno-Karabakh, Turkey can't approve of opening the
border.
Nagorno-Karabakh is a disputed enclave between Azerbaijan and Armenia.
Armenia occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijani territory in the early
1990s, including Nagorno-Karabakh, which is primarily populated by
Armenians, and seven adjacent provinces. Diplomatic efforts to find an
enduring solution to the conflict have failed for the past 20 years,
but Azerbaijan vows to get its territories back by force, if
necessary.
Turkey closed its borders with Armenia in 1993 in solidarity with
Azerbaijan. The issue of Armenia's withdrawal from the area
surrounding Nagorno-Karabakh is of importance to Ankara, which has
frequently signaled that this step would ease the way for the
reopening of the border with Armenia.
Speaking to journalists at the same reception, Foreign Minister Ahmet
DavutoÄ?lu said the prime minister's statement was not issued under
pressure by anyone and that it should be seen as a `call' to
Armenians. Stressing that Turkey is attempting to share the pain of
Armenians, DavutoÄ?lu expressed his hope hat Armenians would positively
respond to the prime minister's call so that Turks and Armenians can
build a future and make history together.
From: A. Papazian