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TURKISH PRESIDENT REBUKES ARMENIAN REJECTION OF APRIL 24 INVITATION
Hurriyet Daily news, Turkey
Feb 11 2015
BOGOTA
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has called on Armenia to
examine the 1915 events through the lens of "science, not politics,"
criticizing the rejection of Ankara's invitation to representatives
of the country to attend war commemoration ceremonies in Turkey.
"Let's remove the 1915 events from the area of politics and refer to
science and scientists," Erdogan said during a symposium on the topic,
co-organized by Bogota Externado University and Ankara University. He
was attending the event as part of his official visit to Colombia on
Feb. 10.
"What the Armenians did against the Turks and what the Turks did
against the Armenians 100 years ago has not been properly discussed,"
Erdogan said.
"We have made an effort to fix relations with Armenia and open a new
page. Unfortunately, our hand of peace has always been rejected by
the influence of the Armenian diaspora," he added.
In January, the Turkish president sent invitation letters to more
than 100 leaders, including Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan, to
participate in ceremonies on April 24 marking the centenary of the
Battle of Gallipoli in Canakkale. The ceremonies in Canakkale were
rearranged this year to coincide with Armenia's traditional day of
remembrance for the Armenian victims of 1915.
Sargsyan reportedly denounced Erdogan's invitation as a "short-sighted"
attempt to overshadow the 100th anniversary the massacres of Ottoman
Armenians.
"We would like them to come and be in Canakkale on April 24,
to breathe in that atmosphere and try to understand that happened
among our hundreds of thousands of martyrs. But they won't do that,"
Erdogan said.
"They once again blocked peace and dialogue with their statement,
which violated protocols of courtesy," he added, while vowing "not
to give up on our efforts for peace and dialogue."
"We will continue to approach this issue under the light of history and
science, not with propaganda, perception games or ugly international
politics," he stressed.
"This year is the 100th anniversary. We are still reiterating our
sincere call," Erdogan added.
February/11/2015
http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkish-president-rebukes-armenian-rejection-of-april-24-invitation-.aspx?pageID=238&nid=78212&NewsCatID=338
Hurriyet Daily news, Turkey
Feb 11 2015
BOGOTA
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has called on Armenia to
examine the 1915 events through the lens of "science, not politics,"
criticizing the rejection of Ankara's invitation to representatives
of the country to attend war commemoration ceremonies in Turkey.
"Let's remove the 1915 events from the area of politics and refer to
science and scientists," Erdogan said during a symposium on the topic,
co-organized by Bogota Externado University and Ankara University. He
was attending the event as part of his official visit to Colombia on
Feb. 10.
"What the Armenians did against the Turks and what the Turks did
against the Armenians 100 years ago has not been properly discussed,"
Erdogan said.
"We have made an effort to fix relations with Armenia and open a new
page. Unfortunately, our hand of peace has always been rejected by
the influence of the Armenian diaspora," he added.
In January, the Turkish president sent invitation letters to more
than 100 leaders, including Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan, to
participate in ceremonies on April 24 marking the centenary of the
Battle of Gallipoli in Canakkale. The ceremonies in Canakkale were
rearranged this year to coincide with Armenia's traditional day of
remembrance for the Armenian victims of 1915.
Sargsyan reportedly denounced Erdogan's invitation as a "short-sighted"
attempt to overshadow the 100th anniversary the massacres of Ottoman
Armenians.
"We would like them to come and be in Canakkale on April 24,
to breathe in that atmosphere and try to understand that happened
among our hundreds of thousands of martyrs. But they won't do that,"
Erdogan said.
"They once again blocked peace and dialogue with their statement,
which violated protocols of courtesy," he added, while vowing "not
to give up on our efforts for peace and dialogue."
"We will continue to approach this issue under the light of history and
science, not with propaganda, perception games or ugly international
politics," he stressed.
"This year is the 100th anniversary. We are still reiterating our
sincere call," Erdogan added.
February/11/2015
http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkish-president-rebukes-armenian-rejection-of-april-24-invitation-.aspx?pageID=238&nid=78212&NewsCatID=338