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Hurriyet Daily News, Turkey
Jan 17 2015
Armenia's Sargsyan rejects invitation to Gallipoli centenary
ANKARA
Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan has rebuffed an invitation by
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoðan to ceremonies marking the
centenary of the Battle of Gallipoli in Çanakkale in late April, which
coincides with the Armenian remembrance day.
With plans to hold massive ceremonies to mark the centenary of the
Battle of Gallipoli on April 23 and 24, Erdoðan had sent out
invitations to the leaders of 102 countries, including Armenian
President Sargsyan and U.S. President Barack Obama.
In a letter addressed to Erdoðan, Sargsyan recalled an invitation
handed to Erdoðan for the events to be held to mark the 100th
anniversary of the 1915 mass killing of Armenians, considered as
"genocide" by Armenia.
"Your Excellency, a few months ago, I invited you to visit Yerevan on
April 24, 2015 to honor memory of the innocent victims of the Armenian
Genocide together," Sargsyan said in the letter. "We have no tradition
of visiting a guest without receiving a response to our own
invitation."
Sargsyan also ciriticized Turkey's "traditional policy of denial,"
while also questioning the timing of the Gallipoli event.
"The 100th anniversary of the Battle of Gallipoli for the first time
this year falls on 24 April, in the case when it started on March 18,
1915 and continued till the end of January 1916," wrote the Armenian
president.
"Meanwhile, the operation of the Allies started on 25 April. What
purpose is pursued, if not to divert world attention from the
activities marking centennial of the Armenian Genocide? Prior to
initiating commemoration events, Turkey had much more important
responsibility towards their people and all mankind - recognition and
condemnation of the Armenian Genocide," he said.
The ANZAC Troops (Australia-New Zealand Army Corps) disembarked onto
the shores of Çanakkkale on April 25, 1915 in a bid to destroy Turkish
artillery units, but were defeated in bloody combat that continued
until December 1915. Ever since, Australians and New Zealanders have
commemorated the Battle of Gallipoli on April 25, on the date of the
first landing, and on Aug 6 to Aug 10, the second landing of the ANZAC
troops.
Marking the 100th anniversary of the battle for Turkey, Australia and
New Zealand, the Turkish government is set to organize ceremonies with
the participation of 8,500 Australians and 2,000 New Zealanders. The
U.K.'s Prince Charles and his two sons, and the prime ministers of
Australia and New Zealand, are expected to take part in
commemorations.
A day before the April 24 ceremonies in Çanakkale, the government is
planning to host a reception and a "Summit of Peace" in Istanbul on
April 23, the day when Turkey marks the 95th anniversary of the
foundation of the Turkish Parliament.
April 24, 1915 is also the date of the Ottoman government's signing
the Deportation Law that led to the deaths of up to a million
Armenians in their long march south from eastern Anatolia. Armenia and
the Armenian diaspora mark the day as the "anniversary of genocide"
committed by the Ottoman Empire, and are planning to hold massive
ceremonies on the centenary of the mass killings of their ancestors.
Sargsyan has invited world leaders to Yerevan on the same day.
http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/armenias-sargsyan-rejects-invitation-to-gallipoli-centenary.aspx?pageID=238&nID=77076&NewsCatID=510
Jan 17 2015
Armenia's Sargsyan rejects invitation to Gallipoli centenary
ANKARA
Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan has rebuffed an invitation by
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoðan to ceremonies marking the
centenary of the Battle of Gallipoli in Çanakkale in late April, which
coincides with the Armenian remembrance day.
With plans to hold massive ceremonies to mark the centenary of the
Battle of Gallipoli on April 23 and 24, Erdoðan had sent out
invitations to the leaders of 102 countries, including Armenian
President Sargsyan and U.S. President Barack Obama.
In a letter addressed to Erdoðan, Sargsyan recalled an invitation
handed to Erdoðan for the events to be held to mark the 100th
anniversary of the 1915 mass killing of Armenians, considered as
"genocide" by Armenia.
"Your Excellency, a few months ago, I invited you to visit Yerevan on
April 24, 2015 to honor memory of the innocent victims of the Armenian
Genocide together," Sargsyan said in the letter. "We have no tradition
of visiting a guest without receiving a response to our own
invitation."
Sargsyan also ciriticized Turkey's "traditional policy of denial,"
while also questioning the timing of the Gallipoli event.
"The 100th anniversary of the Battle of Gallipoli for the first time
this year falls on 24 April, in the case when it started on March 18,
1915 and continued till the end of January 1916," wrote the Armenian
president.
"Meanwhile, the operation of the Allies started on 25 April. What
purpose is pursued, if not to divert world attention from the
activities marking centennial of the Armenian Genocide? Prior to
initiating commemoration events, Turkey had much more important
responsibility towards their people and all mankind - recognition and
condemnation of the Armenian Genocide," he said.
The ANZAC Troops (Australia-New Zealand Army Corps) disembarked onto
the shores of Çanakkkale on April 25, 1915 in a bid to destroy Turkish
artillery units, but were defeated in bloody combat that continued
until December 1915. Ever since, Australians and New Zealanders have
commemorated the Battle of Gallipoli on April 25, on the date of the
first landing, and on Aug 6 to Aug 10, the second landing of the ANZAC
troops.
Marking the 100th anniversary of the battle for Turkey, Australia and
New Zealand, the Turkish government is set to organize ceremonies with
the participation of 8,500 Australians and 2,000 New Zealanders. The
U.K.'s Prince Charles and his two sons, and the prime ministers of
Australia and New Zealand, are expected to take part in
commemorations.
A day before the April 24 ceremonies in Çanakkale, the government is
planning to host a reception and a "Summit of Peace" in Istanbul on
April 23, the day when Turkey marks the 95th anniversary of the
foundation of the Turkish Parliament.
April 24, 1915 is also the date of the Ottoman government's signing
the Deportation Law that led to the deaths of up to a million
Armenians in their long march south from eastern Anatolia. Armenia and
the Armenian diaspora mark the day as the "anniversary of genocide"
committed by the Ottoman Empire, and are planning to hold massive
ceremonies on the centenary of the mass killings of their ancestors.
Sargsyan has invited world leaders to Yerevan on the same day.
http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/armenias-sargsyan-rejects-invitation-to-gallipoli-centenary.aspx?pageID=238&nID=77076&NewsCatID=510