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ARMENIAN PRESIDENT SAYS ERDOGAN SABOTAGING 'GENOCIDE' ANNIVERSARY WITH WWI EVENTS
Today's Zaman, Turkey
March 23 2015
March 22, 2015, Sunday/ 18:45:42/ TODAY'S ZAMAN / ISTANBUL
Armenian President Serzh Sarksyan has harshly criticized events set
to be held on April 24 commemorating the centenary of the Canakkale
Campaign of World War I, saying President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is
aiming to sabotage the 100th anniversary of what Armenia claims was a
genocide against their people at the hands of the late Ottoman Empire.
In his remarks to the France 24 news portal, Sarksyan said Armenia
would like to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the "genocide"
with the Turkish people, and that the basis of peace protocols signed
in 2009 to normalize ties between Turkey and Armenia was also formed
with this goal.
"My aim in inviting President Erdogan [to the anniversary of the
events of 1915] was Turkey's representation during the commemoration
events in Armenia. However, we have been met with an act of denial,"
Sarksyan was quoted as saying by the Cihan news agency.
Turkey announced it will host international events to commemorate
the centennial of the Gallipoli Campaign on April 24, a date that
coincides with the annual commemoration of what Armenians claim was
an act of genocide on Armenians in the Ottoman Empire during the
years of World War I.
More than 100 countries, including Armenia, were invited to the
events in Canakkale, but Sarksyan swiftly dismissed the invitation,
saying in an open letter addressed to Erdogan that it is an attempt
to distract the world's attention from the 100th anniversary of the
alleged genocide.
"The Gallipoli Campaign of World War I neither started on April 24 nor
ended on April 24. This is a step that has hurt the Armenian nation,"
Sarksyan said. He also argued that Turkey is trying to create obstacles
for the 100th anniversary of the "Armenian genocide" by holding the
events commemorating the 100th anniversary of World War I on the
same day.
The Armenian president stressed that the number of countries that
recognize the events of 1915 as genocide is increasing day by day. He
said Erdogan is aware of this fact and has attempted to hinder the
100th anniversary of the "genocide."
Sarksyan said the commemoration events are not anti-Turkish,
underlining that Armenia's aim is to call on the international
community to stand against genocide.
Sarksyan also voiced concerns about developments in the
Nagorno-Karabakh region, adding that Armenia is ready for combat
if necessary.
The conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh erupted in 1991 with the dissolution
of the Soviet Union. Some 30,000 people died in the war before a
cease-fire was called in 1994. Attempts at securing lasting peace have
failed, despite mediation led by France, Russia and the United States.
Nagorno-Karabakh has run its own affairs with heavy military and
financial backing from Armenia since 1994. Armenian-backed forces
also hold seven Azeri districts surrounding the region.
http://www.todayszaman.com/diplomacy_armenian-president-says-erdogan-sabotaging-genocide-anniversary-with-wwi-events_376000.html
From: Baghdasarian
Today's Zaman, Turkey
March 23 2015
March 22, 2015, Sunday/ 18:45:42/ TODAY'S ZAMAN / ISTANBUL
Armenian President Serzh Sarksyan has harshly criticized events set
to be held on April 24 commemorating the centenary of the Canakkale
Campaign of World War I, saying President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is
aiming to sabotage the 100th anniversary of what Armenia claims was a
genocide against their people at the hands of the late Ottoman Empire.
In his remarks to the France 24 news portal, Sarksyan said Armenia
would like to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the "genocide"
with the Turkish people, and that the basis of peace protocols signed
in 2009 to normalize ties between Turkey and Armenia was also formed
with this goal.
"My aim in inviting President Erdogan [to the anniversary of the
events of 1915] was Turkey's representation during the commemoration
events in Armenia. However, we have been met with an act of denial,"
Sarksyan was quoted as saying by the Cihan news agency.
Turkey announced it will host international events to commemorate
the centennial of the Gallipoli Campaign on April 24, a date that
coincides with the annual commemoration of what Armenians claim was
an act of genocide on Armenians in the Ottoman Empire during the
years of World War I.
More than 100 countries, including Armenia, were invited to the
events in Canakkale, but Sarksyan swiftly dismissed the invitation,
saying in an open letter addressed to Erdogan that it is an attempt
to distract the world's attention from the 100th anniversary of the
alleged genocide.
"The Gallipoli Campaign of World War I neither started on April 24 nor
ended on April 24. This is a step that has hurt the Armenian nation,"
Sarksyan said. He also argued that Turkey is trying to create obstacles
for the 100th anniversary of the "Armenian genocide" by holding the
events commemorating the 100th anniversary of World War I on the
same day.
The Armenian president stressed that the number of countries that
recognize the events of 1915 as genocide is increasing day by day. He
said Erdogan is aware of this fact and has attempted to hinder the
100th anniversary of the "genocide."
Sarksyan said the commemoration events are not anti-Turkish,
underlining that Armenia's aim is to call on the international
community to stand against genocide.
Sarksyan also voiced concerns about developments in the
Nagorno-Karabakh region, adding that Armenia is ready for combat
if necessary.
The conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh erupted in 1991 with the dissolution
of the Soviet Union. Some 30,000 people died in the war before a
cease-fire was called in 1994. Attempts at securing lasting peace have
failed, despite mediation led by France, Russia and the United States.
Nagorno-Karabakh has run its own affairs with heavy military and
financial backing from Armenia since 1994. Armenian-backed forces
also hold seven Azeri districts surrounding the region.
http://www.todayszaman.com/diplomacy_armenian-president-says-erdogan-sabotaging-genocide-anniversary-with-wwi-events_376000.html
From: Baghdasarian