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DAVUTOGLU COMMEMORATES DINK, CALLS FOR NEW PAGE IN TIES WITH ARMENIANS
Cihan News Agency (CNA), Turkey
January 20, 2015 Tuesday
Ä°STANBUL (CÄ°HAN)- Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu has commemorated
slain Armenian-Turkish journalist Hrant Dink and called on those who
believe in Turkish-Armenian friendship to contribute to a new start
under the guidance of Dink's efforts.
In a statement released on Tuesday to commemorate Dink a day after the
eighth anniversary of his assassination, Davutoglu said the journalist
was an important Anatolian intellectual who sought ways and methods
to build a common future between the Turkish and Armenian people.
Dink was shot dead outside of his newspaper's office in Å~^iÅ~_li on
Jan. 19, 2007.
Davutoglu stated that Turkey also wants to open doors in people's
minds and hearts in light of Dink's efforts to surpass deep-rooted
pains and to remember historical togetherness. He called on everyone,
particularly those who believe in a "Turkish-Armenian friendship,"
to make a contribution to a "new start."
He mentioned that Turkey had previously stated that relocation
policies, including the events of 1915, took place under the harsh
conditions of World War I, and added that Turkey shares the pain of the
Armenians and is making a patient and pertinacious effort to rebuild
sympathy between the two societies. He said that President Recep Tayyip
Erdogan's statement last year -- back when he was prime minister --
extending Turkey's condolences to the grandchildren of Armenians who
lost their lives in 1915 showed that Turkey has a positive attitude
toward bettering ties.
"The way to leave behind the trauma that froze time in 1915 starts with
breaking taboos. Turkey, for its part, has surpassed this point and has
left behind stereotypical expressions and generalizations inherited
from the past," Davutoglu stated, stressing that it is possible for
old friends to understand each other and look to a common future.
In his statement, he recalled that the Turkish and Armenian people
share a common geography and history. He said these nations can only
speak amongst each other and seek for solutions together. "It is a
must for us to develop mutual trust and cooperation, re-learn each
other in light of our 800-year-long common history and engagement in
human affairs. We hereby invite our Armenian friends to visit Turkey
more and lift reciprocal prejudices," he said.
"Our desires to share pain, heal wounds and re-establish friendships
are sincere. Our prospect is friendship and peace," Davutoglu said.
Last week, reports emerged that Erdogan had invited his Armenian
counterpart to the 100th anniversary celebration of the World War I
Canakkale (Dardanelles) Campaign to commemorate Armenian and Turkish
soldiers who fought and died together in the same ranks during the war.
However, Armenian President Serzh Sarksyan said that before organizing
such a commemorative event, Turkey has a much more pressing obligation
toward the whole of humanity to recognize and condemn the Armenian
"genocide" in response to Erdogan's invitation.
Turkey categorically denies the claims of Armenian genocide, saying
there were deaths on both sides when Armenians revolted against the
Ottoman Empire during the years of World War I to create their own
state in collaboration with the Russian forces then invading eastern
Anatolia.
Cihan News Agency (CNA), Turkey
January 20, 2015 Tuesday
Ä°STANBUL (CÄ°HAN)- Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu has commemorated
slain Armenian-Turkish journalist Hrant Dink and called on those who
believe in Turkish-Armenian friendship to contribute to a new start
under the guidance of Dink's efforts.
In a statement released on Tuesday to commemorate Dink a day after the
eighth anniversary of his assassination, Davutoglu said the journalist
was an important Anatolian intellectual who sought ways and methods
to build a common future between the Turkish and Armenian people.
Dink was shot dead outside of his newspaper's office in Å~^iÅ~_li on
Jan. 19, 2007.
Davutoglu stated that Turkey also wants to open doors in people's
minds and hearts in light of Dink's efforts to surpass deep-rooted
pains and to remember historical togetherness. He called on everyone,
particularly those who believe in a "Turkish-Armenian friendship,"
to make a contribution to a "new start."
He mentioned that Turkey had previously stated that relocation
policies, including the events of 1915, took place under the harsh
conditions of World War I, and added that Turkey shares the pain of the
Armenians and is making a patient and pertinacious effort to rebuild
sympathy between the two societies. He said that President Recep Tayyip
Erdogan's statement last year -- back when he was prime minister --
extending Turkey's condolences to the grandchildren of Armenians who
lost their lives in 1915 showed that Turkey has a positive attitude
toward bettering ties.
"The way to leave behind the trauma that froze time in 1915 starts with
breaking taboos. Turkey, for its part, has surpassed this point and has
left behind stereotypical expressions and generalizations inherited
from the past," Davutoglu stated, stressing that it is possible for
old friends to understand each other and look to a common future.
In his statement, he recalled that the Turkish and Armenian people
share a common geography and history. He said these nations can only
speak amongst each other and seek for solutions together. "It is a
must for us to develop mutual trust and cooperation, re-learn each
other in light of our 800-year-long common history and engagement in
human affairs. We hereby invite our Armenian friends to visit Turkey
more and lift reciprocal prejudices," he said.
"Our desires to share pain, heal wounds and re-establish friendships
are sincere. Our prospect is friendship and peace," Davutoglu said.
Last week, reports emerged that Erdogan had invited his Armenian
counterpart to the 100th anniversary celebration of the World War I
Canakkale (Dardanelles) Campaign to commemorate Armenian and Turkish
soldiers who fought and died together in the same ranks during the war.
However, Armenian President Serzh Sarksyan said that before organizing
such a commemorative event, Turkey has a much more pressing obligation
toward the whole of humanity to recognize and condemn the Armenian
"genocide" in response to Erdogan's invitation.
Turkey categorically denies the claims of Armenian genocide, saying
there were deaths on both sides when Armenians revolted against the
Ottoman Empire during the years of World War I to create their own
state in collaboration with the Russian forces then invading eastern
Anatolia.