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TURKISH AMBASSADOR: POPE'S DESCRIPTION OF 1915 EVENTS 'BIG SURPRISE'
Anadolu Agency, Turkey
April 13 2015
13 April 2015 22:28 (Last updated 13 April 2015 22:30)
It is a big surprise because, when the Pope visited Turkey in November
2014, his remarks were quite different
PARIS
The description given by Pope Francis for the events of 1915, which he
termed as "genocide," came as a big surprise to Turkish authorities,
Turkey's Ambassador in ParisHakki Akil said Monday.
"It is a big surprise because, when the Pope visited Turkey in November
2014, his remarks were quite different," the ambassador said.
"Moreover, the Vatican's ambassador in Ankara had ensured that the
Pope would not use the word 'genocide' and that he would deliver a
humanitarian message to help improve Turkish-Armenian relations."
Akil was speaking at a gathering organized by the Diplomatic
Correspondents Association in Paris.
"It is the job of the international court to decide whether the
incidents were 'genocide' or not," he said, adding that Turkey shares
the pain of the Armenians.
Pope Francis had said on Sunday that "the first genocide of the 20th
century" struck the Armenians.
His statement led Turkey to recall its ambassador to the Vatican and
also to summon the Vatican's envoy in Ankara.
Turkish PM Ahmet Davutoglu said on Sunday that the Pope's statement
was "unfortunate," "incorrect" and "inconsistent."
Davutoglu added that the remarks were not just about reading history
incorrectly, but also "lent credence to the growing racism in Europe."
On Monday, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu also criticized
the Pope's remarks and said they contradict historical and legal facts.
http://www.aa.com.tr/en/turkey/493173--turkish-ambassador-popes-description-of-1915-events-big-surprise
From: Baghdasarian
Anadolu Agency, Turkey
April 13 2015
13 April 2015 22:28 (Last updated 13 April 2015 22:30)
It is a big surprise because, when the Pope visited Turkey in November
2014, his remarks were quite different
PARIS
The description given by Pope Francis for the events of 1915, which he
termed as "genocide," came as a big surprise to Turkish authorities,
Turkey's Ambassador in ParisHakki Akil said Monday.
"It is a big surprise because, when the Pope visited Turkey in November
2014, his remarks were quite different," the ambassador said.
"Moreover, the Vatican's ambassador in Ankara had ensured that the
Pope would not use the word 'genocide' and that he would deliver a
humanitarian message to help improve Turkish-Armenian relations."
Akil was speaking at a gathering organized by the Diplomatic
Correspondents Association in Paris.
"It is the job of the international court to decide whether the
incidents were 'genocide' or not," he said, adding that Turkey shares
the pain of the Armenians.
Pope Francis had said on Sunday that "the first genocide of the 20th
century" struck the Armenians.
His statement led Turkey to recall its ambassador to the Vatican and
also to summon the Vatican's envoy in Ankara.
Turkish PM Ahmet Davutoglu said on Sunday that the Pope's statement
was "unfortunate," "incorrect" and "inconsistent."
Davutoglu added that the remarks were not just about reading history
incorrectly, but also "lent credence to the growing racism in Europe."
On Monday, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu also criticized
the Pope's remarks and said they contradict historical and legal facts.
http://www.aa.com.tr/en/turkey/493173--turkish-ambassador-popes-description-of-1915-events-big-surprise
From: Baghdasarian