Tweet
EUROPEAN LAWMAKERS CALL FOR BALANCED RESOLUTION AHEAD OF 'GENOCIDE' VOTE
Today's Zaman, Turkey
April 15 2015
Members of the European Parliament take part in a voting session in
Strasbourg. (Photo: Reuters)
April 15, 2015, Wednesday/ 09:38:04/ TODAYSZAMAN.COM / ISTANBUL
Lawmakers from the Friends of Turkey group have called on the European
Parliament (EP) to adopt a "balanced resolution," as the MEPs brace
to vote on a resolution to commemorate the centennial of the so-called
Armenian genocide.
The group's co-chairs, Artis Pabriks and Ä°smail Ertug, said
in a statement on Tuesday that MEPs should adopt a language of
reconciliation and focus their efforts on issues that would create
bridges between the two societies by encouraging freedom of speech,
rule of law and free discussion.
The co-chairs acknowledged in the statement that the massacres,
deportations and other atrocities committed against Armenians are
"incontestably a terrible human tragedy that must not be forgotten."
They continued by saying however, that the impact of external pressure
for the recognition of an Armenian genocide in Turkey has not helped
so far to bring about reconciliation between Turks and Armenians. "On
the contrary," according to the Friends of Turkey group, external
interventions have fueled reactionary nationalism and hindered dialogue
between Turks and Armenians.
On Sunday, Pope Francis described the mass killings of Armenians under
Ottoman rule at the end of World War I as "the first genocide of the
20th century" during a mass, prompting a furious reaction from Ankara.
Turkey summoned the Vatican's ambassador to the Turkish Foreign
Ministry to scold him for the remarks and recalled its own ambassador
from the Vatican for "consultation" -- a euphemism for a diplomatic
protest.
Turkey accepts that many Armenians died during the World War I years
but says the death toll offered by the Armenians, up to 1.5 million
people, is inflated, and denies that the deaths resulted from an act
of genocide. Ankara says Turks were also killed when Armenians took
up arms in pursuit of an independent state in collaboration with the
Russian forces that were invading eastern Anatolia at the time.
Armenia, on the other hand, accuses the Ottoman authorities at the
time of systematically massacring large numbers of Armenians, then
deporting many more, including women, children and the elderly and
infirm in terrible conditions on so-called death marches.
The Friends of Turkey group said Turkey has started a more open
and free debate on the Armenian issue in recent years and that
the European lawmakers should encourage the Turkish government to
continue its process of reconciliation, allowing for a frank and
open discussion of past events. They noted that the European Union
accession negotiations have undoubtedly contributed to more honest
and open discussions of historical events in Turkey.
"In this regard, the accession process remains the most effective tool
in influencing Turkey's democratization course," the statement said.
http://www.todayszaman.com/diplomacy_european-lawmakers-call-for-balanced-resolution-ahead-of-genocide-vote_378021.html
Today's Zaman, Turkey
April 15 2015
Members of the European Parliament take part in a voting session in
Strasbourg. (Photo: Reuters)
April 15, 2015, Wednesday/ 09:38:04/ TODAYSZAMAN.COM / ISTANBUL
Lawmakers from the Friends of Turkey group have called on the European
Parliament (EP) to adopt a "balanced resolution," as the MEPs brace
to vote on a resolution to commemorate the centennial of the so-called
Armenian genocide.
The group's co-chairs, Artis Pabriks and Ä°smail Ertug, said
in a statement on Tuesday that MEPs should adopt a language of
reconciliation and focus their efforts on issues that would create
bridges between the two societies by encouraging freedom of speech,
rule of law and free discussion.
The co-chairs acknowledged in the statement that the massacres,
deportations and other atrocities committed against Armenians are
"incontestably a terrible human tragedy that must not be forgotten."
They continued by saying however, that the impact of external pressure
for the recognition of an Armenian genocide in Turkey has not helped
so far to bring about reconciliation between Turks and Armenians. "On
the contrary," according to the Friends of Turkey group, external
interventions have fueled reactionary nationalism and hindered dialogue
between Turks and Armenians.
On Sunday, Pope Francis described the mass killings of Armenians under
Ottoman rule at the end of World War I as "the first genocide of the
20th century" during a mass, prompting a furious reaction from Ankara.
Turkey summoned the Vatican's ambassador to the Turkish Foreign
Ministry to scold him for the remarks and recalled its own ambassador
from the Vatican for "consultation" -- a euphemism for a diplomatic
protest.
Turkey accepts that many Armenians died during the World War I years
but says the death toll offered by the Armenians, up to 1.5 million
people, is inflated, and denies that the deaths resulted from an act
of genocide. Ankara says Turks were also killed when Armenians took
up arms in pursuit of an independent state in collaboration with the
Russian forces that were invading eastern Anatolia at the time.
Armenia, on the other hand, accuses the Ottoman authorities at the
time of systematically massacring large numbers of Armenians, then
deporting many more, including women, children and the elderly and
infirm in terrible conditions on so-called death marches.
The Friends of Turkey group said Turkey has started a more open
and free debate on the Armenian issue in recent years and that
the European lawmakers should encourage the Turkish government to
continue its process of reconciliation, allowing for a frank and
open discussion of past events. They noted that the European Union
accession negotiations have undoubtedly contributed to more honest
and open discussions of historical events in Turkey.
"In this regard, the accession process remains the most effective tool
in influencing Turkey's democratization course," the statement said.
http://www.todayszaman.com/diplomacy_european-lawmakers-call-for-balanced-resolution-ahead-of-genocide-vote_378021.html