Turkish Online Apology to Armenians
Introduction
Organizers of the Turkish initiative, posted on the Internet
(www.ozurdiliyoruz.com) along with a non-binding petition to gather
signatures, was meant to allow Turks to offer a personal apology and to
end an official silence.
(www.ozurdiliyoruz.com) along with a non-binding petition to gather
signatures, was meant to allow Turks to offer a personal apology and to
end an official silence.
Stopping short of using the word "genocide", the petition, entitled
'I apologise', reads:
"My conscience does not accept the insensitivity showed to and the
denial of the Great Catastrophe that the Ottoman Armenians were
subjected to in 1915. I reject this injustice and for my share,
I empathise with the feelings and pain of my Armenian brothers. I
apologise to them."
'I apologise', reads:
"My conscience does not accept the insensitivity showed to and the
denial of the Great Catastrophe that the Ottoman Armenians were
subjected to in 1915. I reject this injustice and for my share,
I empathise with the feelings and pain of my Armenian brothers. I
apologise to them."
There is a counter-petition on www.ozurdi liyorum.com" with the
following sentence: "there was no genocide ... was to defend the nation,
... we will no excuses."
following sentence: "there was no genocide ... was to defend the nation,
... we will no excuses."
Turkey's President Defends Armenia Apology Campaign
Reuters
Turkish President Abdullah Gul distanced himself on Thursday from
criticism by Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan over an apology by 200
Turkish intellectuals for the alleged genocide of ethnic Armenians in
World War One.
The Internet campaign, which has drawn the ire of nationalists who
regard it as an act of national betrayal, coincides with a diplomatic
rapprochement between Turkey and Armenia led by Gul himself to end
almost 100 years of hostility.
"The president's view is that the fact that the issue is discussed
freely in academic and public circles is proof of the presence of
democratic discussion in Turkey," a statement from Gul's office said.
On Wednesday, Erdogan said the campaign had no other benefit than
"stirring up trouble, disturbing our peace and undoing the steps which
have been taken".
Gul, a moderate former member of the ruling AK Party, was foreign
minister under Erdogan until he was elected to the largely ceremonial
post of president in July 2007. Media reports have speculated the two
men have grown apart.
Turks, including Nobel-winning author Orhan Pamuk, have been prosecuted
in the European Union candidate country for affirming that the mass
killings of Armenians in 1915 amount to genocide. Turkey accepts that
many Armenians were killed during the waning years of the Ottoman
Empire, but strongly denies Armenian claims it was genocide, saying that
Muslim Turks also died in inter-ethnic conflicts. Western historians
have backed Armenian claims that the killings amounted to genocide.
The apology, which avoids the word genocide and uses instead the term
great catastrophe, threatens to reignite a controversy that challenges
one of the ideological foundations of modern Turkey. It comes at a time
of heightened nationalism in Turkey.
The staunchly nationalist opposition MHP party condemned the campaign,
saying Turkey had "no crime to apologize about". "Nobody has the right
to demand apology by distorting history and smearing our ancestors by
portraying them as criminals," the party said in statement.
Organizers said the initiative, posted on the Internet
(www.ozurdiliyoruz.com) along with a non-binding petition to gather
signatures, was meant to allow Turks to offer a personal apology and to
end an official silence.
Gul became the first Turkish leader to visit Armenia in September.
Several meetings between Turkish and Armenian officials have followed
and the two countries have expressed hopes of restoring full diplomatic
relations soon.
TURKISH PRESIDENT'S OFFICE SAYS ARMENIAN APOLOGY
Reuters
Turkish President Abdullah Gul distanced himself on Thursday from
criticism by Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan over an apology by 200
Turkish intellectuals for the alleged genocide of ethnic Armenians in
World War One.
The Internet campaign, which has drawn the ire of nationalists who
regard it as an act of national betrayal, coincides with a diplomatic
rapprochement between Turkey and Armenia led by Gul himself to end
almost 100 years of hostility.
"The president's view is that the fact that the issue is discussed
freely in academic and public circles is proof of the presence of
democratic discussion in Turkey," a statement from Gul's office said.
On Wednesday, Erdogan said the campaign had no other benefit than
"stirring up trouble, disturbing our peace and undoing the steps which
have been taken".
Gul, a moderate former member of the ruling AK Party, was foreign
minister under Erdogan until he was elected to the largely ceremonial
post of president in July 2007. Media reports have speculated the two
men have grown apart.
Turks, including Nobel-winning author Orhan Pamuk, have been prosecuted
in the European Union candidate country for affirming that the mass
killings of Armenians in 1915 amount to genocide. Turkey accepts that
many Armenians were killed during the waning years of the Ottoman
Empire, but strongly denies Armenian claims it was genocide, saying that
Muslim Turks also died in inter-ethnic conflicts. Western historians
have backed Armenian claims that the killings amounted to genocide.
The apology, which avoids the word genocide and uses instead the term
great catastrophe, threatens to reignite a controversy that challenges
one of the ideological foundations of modern Turkey. It comes at a time
of heightened nationalism in Turkey.
The staunchly nationalist opposition MHP party condemned the campaign,
saying Turkey had "no crime to apologize about". "Nobody has the right
to demand apology by distorting history and smearing our ancestors by
portraying them as criminals," the party said in statement.
Organizers said the initiative, posted on the Internet
(www.ozurdiliyoruz.com) along with a non-binding petition to gather
signatures, was meant to allow Turks to offer a personal apology and to
end an official silence.
Gul became the first Turkish leader to visit Armenia in September.
Several meetings between Turkish and Armenian officials have followed
and the two countries have expressed hopes of restoring full diplomatic
relations soon.
TURKISH PRESIDENT'S OFFICE SAYS ARMENIAN APOLOGY
CAMPAIGN SIGN OF DEMOCRACY
Anadolu Agency
Dec 18 2008
Turkey
ANKARA (A.A) -The Presidential Press Centre has said that President
Abdullah Gul considered recent discussions in the Turkish public
opinion and academic circles over the events in 1915 a sign of
existence of a democratic discussion atmosphere in Turkey which was
more civilized and freer than many other countries and of Turkish
people's reconciliation with their history and their self-confidence.
The Presidential Press Centre said in a statement on Thursday that
Gul had always clearly expressed Turkey's ideas and proposals about
the events and Turkish-Armenian relations on numerous occasions and
in many international platforms.
"During Gul's term in office as the foreign minister and deputy
prime minister, Turkey proposed Armenia to establish a committee of
historians to examine Turkish and Armenian archives. Gul advocated
the proposal on the international level," it said.
The centre also expressed President Gul's profound regret that the
issue was distorted for some political purposes although his views
were well-known. Gul was criticized by the opposition parties.
A group of people issued an apology on the internet for the events
of 1915 boosting a nationwide discussion.
Turkish Premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Wednesday that he did not
accept or support the campaign recently launched by a group of Turkish
intellectuals and academicians aiming to apologize to Armenians for
the incidents of 1915.
"They might have committed such a crime themselves, as they
are apologizing now. Republic of Turkey does not have such a
concern. One can apologize if there is a crime necessitating such
an apology. Neither my country, nor my nation has such concerns,"
Erdogan said, replying to questions following his meeting with
Bulgarian President Georgi Parvanov in Istanbul.
Erdogan said that it was unacceptable to support such a campaign just
because it was launched by intellectuals.
Armenia and Turkey do not have diplomatic relations and their shared
border has been closed since 1993 when Turkey protested Armenia's
occupation of the Upper Karabakh.
In September, President Gul visited Armenia in to watch a World Cup
qualifying match as a goodwill gesture.
Anadolu Agency
Dec 18 2008
Turkey
ANKARA (A.A) -The Presidential Press Centre has said that President
Abdullah Gul considered recent discussions in the Turkish public
opinion and academic circles over the events in 1915 a sign of
existence of a democratic discussion atmosphere in Turkey which was
more civilized and freer than many other countries and of Turkish
people's reconciliation with their history and their self-confidence.
The Presidential Press Centre said in a statement on Thursday that
Gul had always clearly expressed Turkey's ideas and proposals about
the events and Turkish-Armenian relations on numerous occasions and
in many international platforms.
"During Gul's term in office as the foreign minister and deputy
prime minister, Turkey proposed Armenia to establish a committee of
historians to examine Turkish and Armenian archives. Gul advocated
the proposal on the international level," it said.
The centre also expressed President Gul's profound regret that the
issue was distorted for some political purposes although his views
were well-known. Gul was criticized by the opposition parties.
A group of people issued an apology on the internet for the events
of 1915 boosting a nationwide discussion.
Turkish Premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Wednesday that he did not
accept or support the campaign recently launched by a group of Turkish
intellectuals and academicians aiming to apologize to Armenians for
the incidents of 1915.
"They might have committed such a crime themselves, as they
are apologizing now. Republic of Turkey does not have such a
concern. One can apologize if there is a crime necessitating such
an apology. Neither my country, nor my nation has such concerns,"
Erdogan said, replying to questions following his meeting with
Bulgarian President Georgi Parvanov in Istanbul.
Erdogan said that it was unacceptable to support such a campaign just
because it was launched by intellectuals.
Armenia and Turkey do not have diplomatic relations and their shared
border has been closed since 1993 when Turkey protested Armenia's
occupation of the Upper Karabakh.
In September, President Gul visited Armenia in to watch a World Cup
qualifying match as a goodwill gesture.
TURKISH PM SAYS APOLOGY CAMPAIGN TO ARMENIANS UNACCEPTABLE
Hurriyet
Dec 17 2008
Turkey
It is unacceptable to affirm support to the recent internet campaign
launched to issue a public apology to Armenians, Turkish Prime Minister
Tayyip Erdogan told reporters on Wednesday. The Foreign Ministry said
the issue is highly sensitive for them.
Around 200 Turkish academics, writers and journalists launched
a website issuing an apology to the Armenians regarding the 1915
incidents and calling for people to sign on in support.
The efforts of the intellectuals drew fierce reaction in Turkey.
"I neither accept nor support this campaign. We did not commit a
crime, therefore we do not need to apologize," Erdogan said, adding
the issue is still being discussed by historians.
He said such initiatives only reverse the positive steps taken
by Turkey.
Armenia, with the backing of the diaspora, claims up to 1.5 million
of their kin were slaughtered in orchestrated killings in 1915.Turkey
rejects the claims saying that 300,000 Armenians, along with at least
as many Turks, died in civil strife that emerged when Armenians took
up arms, backed by Russia, for independence in eastern Anatolia.
Turkey has opened an air corridor to the land-locked country and
renovated a historic Armenian church, while opening its archives to
researchers to study incidents.
The issue remains unsolved as Armenia drags its feet on accepting
Turkey's proposal to form an independent commission to investigate
the claims.
A spokesman from the Turkish Foreign Ministry said the issue is
highly sensitive for the ministry, reminding that many bureaucrats
were victimized by Armenian terror organizations in the past.
Burak Ozugergin said the ministry does not support reacting to this
move and that it did not urge the retired diplomats and ambassadors,
who said Monday the campaign is "unfair, wrong and unfavorable for
the national interests", to respond.
Ozugergin said Turkey's stance on the 1915 incidents was well known
by everybody, adding people should be able to comfortably discuss
all issues in Turkey.
"However our foreign policy is not so flimsy as to shift as a result
of daily debates. We will continue to act on principles," he said.
Hurriyet
Dec 17 2008
Turkey
It is unacceptable to affirm support to the recent internet campaign
launched to issue a public apology to Armenians, Turkish Prime Minister
Tayyip Erdogan told reporters on Wednesday. The Foreign Ministry said
the issue is highly sensitive for them.
Around 200 Turkish academics, writers and journalists launched
a website issuing an apology to the Armenians regarding the 1915
incidents and calling for people to sign on in support.
The efforts of the intellectuals drew fierce reaction in Turkey.
"I neither accept nor support this campaign. We did not commit a
crime, therefore we do not need to apologize," Erdogan said, adding
the issue is still being discussed by historians.
He said such initiatives only reverse the positive steps taken
by Turkey.
Armenia, with the backing of the diaspora, claims up to 1.5 million
of their kin were slaughtered in orchestrated killings in 1915.Turkey
rejects the claims saying that 300,000 Armenians, along with at least
as many Turks, died in civil strife that emerged when Armenians took
up arms, backed by Russia, for independence in eastern Anatolia.
Turkey has opened an air corridor to the land-locked country and
renovated a historic Armenian church, while opening its archives to
researchers to study incidents.
The issue remains unsolved as Armenia drags its feet on accepting
Turkey's proposal to form an independent commission to investigate
the claims.
A spokesman from the Turkish Foreign Ministry said the issue is
highly sensitive for the ministry, reminding that many bureaucrats
were victimized by Armenian terror organizations in the past.
Burak Ozugergin said the ministry does not support reacting to this
move and that it did not urge the retired diplomats and ambassadors,
who said Monday the campaign is "unfair, wrong and unfavorable for
the national interests", to respond.
Ozugergin said Turkey's stance on the 1915 incidents was well known
by everybody, adding people should be able to comfortably discuss
all issues in Turkey.
"However our foreign policy is not so flimsy as to shift as a result
of daily debates. We will continue to act on principles," he said.
GENERAL STAFF DISAPPROVES "APOLOGY CAMPAIGN"
Today's Zaman
Dec 19 2008
Turkey
Turkey's powerful generals on Friday stepped into a deepening
controversy over an apology by Turkish intellectuals for the mass
killings of Armenians in World War One, saying the campaign had
"harmful consequences".
The General Staff has said that it disapproved the online apology
campaign for the events of 1915.
Gen. Metin Gurak, chairman of the General Staff Communication
Department, said at a press briefing in Ankara on Friday, "we
definitely do not consider the campaign right. This apology is wrongful
and it may lead to harmful consequences."
A group of Turkish intellectuals and academicians issued an apology to
Armenians on the internet earlier in the week for the events of 1915,
boosting a nationwide discussion.
Turkish Premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Wednesday that he did
not accept or support the campaign. "They might have committed such a
crime themselves as they are apologizing now. The Republic of Turkey
does not have such a concern. One can apologize if there is a crime
necessitating such an apology. Neither my country, nor my nation has
such concerns," Erdogan said.
Yesterday, the Presidential Press Center said in a statement that
President Abdullah Gul considered recent discussions in the Turkish
public opinion and academic circles over the events in 1915 a sign
of existence of a democratic discussion atmosphere in Turkey which
was more civilized and freer than many other countries and a sign
of Turkish people's reconciliation with their history and their
self-confidence.
Armenia and Turkey do not have diplomatic relations and their shared
border has been closed since 1993 when Turkey protested Armenia's
occupation of the Upper Karabakh.
In September, President Gul visited Armenia to watch a World Cup
qualifying match as a goodwill gesture.
Today's Zaman
Dec 19 2008
Turkey
Turkey's powerful generals on Friday stepped into a deepening
controversy over an apology by Turkish intellectuals for the mass
killings of Armenians in World War One, saying the campaign had
"harmful consequences".
The General Staff has said that it disapproved the online apology
campaign for the events of 1915.
Gen. Metin Gurak, chairman of the General Staff Communication
Department, said at a press briefing in Ankara on Friday, "we
definitely do not consider the campaign right. This apology is wrongful
and it may lead to harmful consequences."
A group of Turkish intellectuals and academicians issued an apology to
Armenians on the internet earlier in the week for the events of 1915,
boosting a nationwide discussion.
Turkish Premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Wednesday that he did
not accept or support the campaign. "They might have committed such a
crime themselves as they are apologizing now. The Republic of Turkey
does not have such a concern. One can apologize if there is a crime
necessitating such an apology. Neither my country, nor my nation has
such concerns," Erdogan said.
Yesterday, the Presidential Press Center said in a statement that
President Abdullah Gul considered recent discussions in the Turkish
public opinion and academic circles over the events in 1915 a sign
of existence of a democratic discussion atmosphere in Turkey which
was more civilized and freer than many other countries and a sign
of Turkish people's reconciliation with their history and their
self-confidence.
Armenia and Turkey do not have diplomatic relations and their shared
border has been closed since 1993 when Turkey protested Armenia's
occupation of the Upper Karabakh.
In September, President Gul visited Armenia to watch a World Cup
qualifying match as a goodwill gesture.
RETIRED DIPLOMATS AGAINST INTELLECTUALS' APOLOGY
Today's Zaman
Dec 17 2008
Turkey
Deniz BölukbaÅ~_ı claims that in Turkey there is an Armenian lobby
and a campaign of apology forms a part of their objectives.
A group of retired Turkish ambassadors signed a declaration on Monday
urging intellectuals Baskın Oran, Ahmet İnsel and Ali Bayramoglu,
who had recently launched a campaign to apologize for the Ottoman
killings of Armenians in 1915, "not to be a part of an insidious plan
against Turkish national interests."
Recently, some Turkish intellectuals began to collect signatures for
a statement that contained a personal apology for the events of 1915,
which the Armenian claims of genocide are based on.
"My conscience does not accept the insensitivity showed to and the
denial of the Great Catastrophe that Ottoman Armenians were subjected
to in 1915. I reject this injustice and for my part, I empathize with
the feelings and pain of my Armenian brothers. I apologize to them,"
the intellectuals' statement said.
But the group of retired diplomats, which includes former Foreign
Ministry undersecretaries Korkmaz Haktanır, Å~^ukru Elekdag and
Onur Oymen, in a counter-declaration stressed that the move was a
"disrespectful act toward Turkish history and its martyrs."
"Such a wrong and unilateral initiative is disrespectful to our
history and also to our people who lost their lives in violent
terrorist attacks during the history of the republic and during the
last years of the Ottoman Empire," the declaration stated.
The diplomats' declaration made a point of mentioning the Armenian
Secret Army for the Liberation of Armenia (ASALA) in which 70 people,
including five ambassadors, four consul generals and 34 public workers,
lost their lives and 574 people were wounded.
It further claimed that "concessions such as unilateral apologies"
do not serve the aim of improving relations between Armenia and Turkey.
"If the aim is to improve relations between Turkey and Armenia and
come closer, the proper way to do this is not to make concessions
such as unilateral apologies, but to mutually recognize borders and
territorial integrity and it will be inevitable that we will share the
pain that both sides suffered during history," the declaration claimed,
and added, "Otherwise unilateral acts like apologizing will be wrong,
against the facts of history and will have grave consequences."
The diplomats underlined that the forced immigration of Armenians in
1915 had "bitter results" under war conditions, "but the pain of the
Turks were no less than that of the Armenians due to the Armenian
insurgency and terrorism," the diplomats claimed.
"First of all, Armenians who have killed innocent Turkish diplomats,
public servants and their families in the recent past should apologize
to the Turkish nation. These killers are still alive and unpunished
as they have been protected by Armenia and some other countries,"
the declaration noted.
The diplomats also claimed that the apology was the second phase of
a plan, the first phase of which was to influence world opinion with
terrorist attacks. They claimed that they are aware of the third phase
of plan, which is to demand compensation and make territorial claims.
The other diplomats who signed the declaration include former Foreign
Ministry spokesmen Necati Utkan and Omer Akbel. It was also signed
by former Ambassadors Akın Alp Tuna, Ertugrul Cıragan, Onur Oymen,
Candan Azer and Gun Gur, together with some others.
The retired Ambassadors are supported by Oktay Vural, the deputy
chairman of the parliamentary group of the Nationalist Movement Party
(MHP), who said the retired ambassadors had done the right thing but
interestingly the Foreign Ministry had kept quiet.
Former ambassador and now-MHP deputy Deniz BölukbaÅ~_ı claimed that
in Turkey there is an Armenian lobby and a campaign of apology forms
a part of their objectives.
"Who is apologizing for who? If there is anyone who should apologize,
it should be the intellectuals and Armenians. They should apologize
to the thousands of Anatolian people who suffered the Armenian
atrocities. Are these intellectuals apologizing to the Armenian
terrorists who killed Turkish diplomats and are still living in
Armenia?" BölukbaÅ~_ı asked.
Today's Zaman
Dec 17 2008
Turkey
Deniz BölukbaÅ~_ı claims that in Turkey there is an Armenian lobby
and a campaign of apology forms a part of their objectives.
A group of retired Turkish ambassadors signed a declaration on Monday
urging intellectuals Baskın Oran, Ahmet İnsel and Ali Bayramoglu,
who had recently launched a campaign to apologize for the Ottoman
killings of Armenians in 1915, "not to be a part of an insidious plan
against Turkish national interests."
Recently, some Turkish intellectuals began to collect signatures for
a statement that contained a personal apology for the events of 1915,
which the Armenian claims of genocide are based on.
"My conscience does not accept the insensitivity showed to and the
denial of the Great Catastrophe that Ottoman Armenians were subjected
to in 1915. I reject this injustice and for my part, I empathize with
the feelings and pain of my Armenian brothers. I apologize to them,"
the intellectuals' statement said.
But the group of retired diplomats, which includes former Foreign
Ministry undersecretaries Korkmaz Haktanır, Å~^ukru Elekdag and
Onur Oymen, in a counter-declaration stressed that the move was a
"disrespectful act toward Turkish history and its martyrs."
"Such a wrong and unilateral initiative is disrespectful to our
history and also to our people who lost their lives in violent
terrorist attacks during the history of the republic and during the
last years of the Ottoman Empire," the declaration stated.
The diplomats' declaration made a point of mentioning the Armenian
Secret Army for the Liberation of Armenia (ASALA) in which 70 people,
including five ambassadors, four consul generals and 34 public workers,
lost their lives and 574 people were wounded.
It further claimed that "concessions such as unilateral apologies"
do not serve the aim of improving relations between Armenia and Turkey.
"If the aim is to improve relations between Turkey and Armenia and
come closer, the proper way to do this is not to make concessions
such as unilateral apologies, but to mutually recognize borders and
territorial integrity and it will be inevitable that we will share the
pain that both sides suffered during history," the declaration claimed,
and added, "Otherwise unilateral acts like apologizing will be wrong,
against the facts of history and will have grave consequences."
The diplomats underlined that the forced immigration of Armenians in
1915 had "bitter results" under war conditions, "but the pain of the
Turks were no less than that of the Armenians due to the Armenian
insurgency and terrorism," the diplomats claimed.
"First of all, Armenians who have killed innocent Turkish diplomats,
public servants and their families in the recent past should apologize
to the Turkish nation. These killers are still alive and unpunished
as they have been protected by Armenia and some other countries,"
the declaration noted.
The diplomats also claimed that the apology was the second phase of
a plan, the first phase of which was to influence world opinion with
terrorist attacks. They claimed that they are aware of the third phase
of plan, which is to demand compensation and make territorial claims.
The other diplomats who signed the declaration include former Foreign
Ministry spokesmen Necati Utkan and Omer Akbel. It was also signed
by former Ambassadors Akın Alp Tuna, Ertugrul Cıragan, Onur Oymen,
Candan Azer and Gun Gur, together with some others.
The retired Ambassadors are supported by Oktay Vural, the deputy
chairman of the parliamentary group of the Nationalist Movement Party
(MHP), who said the retired ambassadors had done the right thing but
interestingly the Foreign Ministry had kept quiet.
Former ambassador and now-MHP deputy Deniz BölukbaÅ~_ı claimed that
in Turkey there is an Armenian lobby and a campaign of apology forms
a part of their objectives.
"Who is apologizing for who? If there is anyone who should apologize,
it should be the intellectuals and Armenians. They should apologize
to the thousands of Anatolian people who suffered the Armenian
atrocities. Are these intellectuals apologizing to the Armenian
terrorists who killed Turkish diplomats and are still living in
Armenia?" BölukbaÅ~_ı asked.
TURKEY'S DIASPORA IN EUROPE DESCRIBES APOLOGY CAMPAIGN
AS GAME OF ARMENIAN DIASPORA
Trend News Agency
Dec 18 2008
Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan, Baku, Dec. 18/ Trend News, B. Hasanov/ Union of Turkish
Democrats in Europe, uniting all Turkish diasporas in Europe, located
in Koln city of Germany, strongly denounced apology the campaign
launched by a group of intellectuals in Turkey.
"The campaign launched by a group of "intellectuals" in Turkey does
not reflect position of Turkish people and we consider it a game of
Armenian diaspora," Salih Altinishik, secretary general of Union of
Turkish Democrats in Europe, said to Trend News by telephone from Koln.
Around 200 Turkish academics, writers and journalists launched
a website issuing an apology to the Armenians regarding the 1915
incidents and calling for people to sign on in support. Over 5,000
people have registered on the website, Turkush media reported.
Armenia and Armenian lobby worldwide state that in 1915 the Ottoman
Empire, Turkey's predecessor, committed genocide against Armenians
living in Anatolia. Armenians striving to make their statements
recognized worldwide have strengthened their propaganda of the
so-called genocide in several countries and have achieved recognition
of the "Armenian genocide" at several Parliaments.
Altinishik said relevant measures are needed to be taken against
this campaign. He described it as a part of a scenario carried out
stage-by-stage.
"There is no any crime and criminal to apologize for," he added. He
said this campaign will not have any impact on so-called "genocide"
claims in Europe.
"We will successfully continue our diaspora efforts for the favor of
our nation," Altinishik said.
Trend News Agency
Dec 18 2008
Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan, Baku, Dec. 18/ Trend News, B. Hasanov/ Union of Turkish
Democrats in Europe, uniting all Turkish diasporas in Europe, located
in Koln city of Germany, strongly denounced apology the campaign
launched by a group of intellectuals in Turkey.
"The campaign launched by a group of "intellectuals" in Turkey does
not reflect position of Turkish people and we consider it a game of
Armenian diaspora," Salih Altinishik, secretary general of Union of
Turkish Democrats in Europe, said to Trend News by telephone from Koln.
Around 200 Turkish academics, writers and journalists launched
a website issuing an apology to the Armenians regarding the 1915
incidents and calling for people to sign on in support. Over 5,000
people have registered on the website, Turkush media reported.
Armenia and Armenian lobby worldwide state that in 1915 the Ottoman
Empire, Turkey's predecessor, committed genocide against Armenians
living in Anatolia. Armenians striving to make their statements
recognized worldwide have strengthened their propaganda of the
so-called genocide in several countries and have achieved recognition
of the "Armenian genocide" at several Parliaments.
Altinishik said relevant measures are needed to be taken against
this campaign. He described it as a part of a scenario carried out
stage-by-stage.
"There is no any crime and criminal to apologize for," he added. He
said this campaign will not have any impact on so-called "genocide"
claims in Europe.
"We will successfully continue our diaspora efforts for the favor of
our nation," Altinishik said.
TURKISH PARLIAMENTARIAN HINTS AT ARMENIA ROOTS OF
ABDULLAH GUL
ArmInfo
2008-12-18 19:29:00
Armenian apology campaign launched by a group of scientists,
writers, artists, journalists and representatives of nongovernmental
organizations was discussed at the meeting of Foreign Relations
Commission of Turkish parliament on December 17.
APA reports quoting Turkish media that parliamentarians from opposition
parties Republican People's Party (CHP) and National Movement Party
(MHP) offered to make a statement condemning the persons supporting
the campaign.
Pro-Kurdish Democratic Society Party (DTP) objected to it. Following
the discussions, decision was made on the parliamentarians' condemning
the apology campaign by collecting signatures individually. Member
of MHP, parliamentarian Janan Aritman called the organizers of the
campaign betrayers.
"The false scientists signing it should apology to Turkey," he said.
Aritman also criticized President Abdullah Gul's attitude towards
the campaign. Saying that Abdullah Gul was encouraged by his visit
to Armenia, Aritman dropped a hint that the president's mother was
Armenian. "We see that the president supports this campaign. Abdullah
Gul should be the president of the whole Turkish nation, not of his
ethnic origin. Investigate the ethnic origin of the president's mother,
and you will see," he said. Some claim in Turkey that Abdullah Gul's
mother was born to an Armenian-origin family from Kayseri and father
was an Arab moved to Kayseri.
ArmInfo
2008-12-18 19:29:00
Armenian apology campaign launched by a group of scientists,
writers, artists, journalists and representatives of nongovernmental
organizations was discussed at the meeting of Foreign Relations
Commission of Turkish parliament on December 17.
APA reports quoting Turkish media that parliamentarians from opposition
parties Republican People's Party (CHP) and National Movement Party
(MHP) offered to make a statement condemning the persons supporting
the campaign.
Pro-Kurdish Democratic Society Party (DTP) objected to it. Following
the discussions, decision was made on the parliamentarians' condemning
the apology campaign by collecting signatures individually. Member
of MHP, parliamentarian Janan Aritman called the organizers of the
campaign betrayers.
"The false scientists signing it should apology to Turkey," he said.
Aritman also criticized President Abdullah Gul's attitude towards
the campaign. Saying that Abdullah Gul was encouraged by his visit
to Armenia, Aritman dropped a hint that the president's mother was
Armenian. "We see that the president supports this campaign. Abdullah
Gul should be the president of the whole Turkish nation, not of his
ethnic origin. Investigate the ethnic origin of the president's mother,
and you will see," he said. Some claim in Turkey that Abdullah Gul's
mother was born to an Armenian-origin family from Kayseri and father
was an Arab moved to Kayseri.
COLUMNISTS JOIN ARMENIAN APOLOGY DEBATE
Turkish Daily News
December 18, 2008 Thursday
The debate over the campaign launched by a range of professionals and
intellectuals to apologize for the Ottoman killings of Armenians has
spread to the columns of the country's dailies. Meanwhile, a counter
online signature campaign has emerged, by a group calling themselves
"The Real Turkish Intellectuals."
Turkish columnists widely criticized the apology campaign. Erdal
Safak from daily Sabah argued the campaign would do more harm than
good because it "would be evaluated as a confession of genocide,"
and "would harm the proposal to establish a history commission to
investigate the 1915 events."
Ertugrul Ozkok from daily Hurriyet said he considered the campaign a
joke, asking who would apologize for the Turkish diplomats murdered
by the ASALA terror organization, or the Turks and Kurds who were
slaughtered by Armenian gangs in 1915.
Nuray Mert from daily Radikal argued the campaign aimed at "scraping
the Turkish intellectuals from their historical shame and to make
them feel good and civilized." She also questioned the apology part of
the statement asking, "On whose behalf and to whom should I apologize?"
"I am really disturbed by the act of apologizing to a nation in the
name of national or ethical belonging. This is no different than
bragging about ones nationality. Therefore, I would like to sign the
text without the apology part," she wrote.
The new Web site "ozurdilemiyoruz.com" (we do not apologize) opened by
a group calling themselves "The Real Turkish Intellectuals," posted
a statement saying "we do not have any apology for anybody. We only
have a call to account from those who murdered our ancestors and
brothers." More than 2,000 people have signed the statement so far.
Turkish Daily News
December 18, 2008 Thursday
The debate over the campaign launched by a range of professionals and
intellectuals to apologize for the Ottoman killings of Armenians has
spread to the columns of the country's dailies. Meanwhile, a counter
online signature campaign has emerged, by a group calling themselves
"The Real Turkish Intellectuals."
Turkish columnists widely criticized the apology campaign. Erdal
Safak from daily Sabah argued the campaign would do more harm than
good because it "would be evaluated as a confession of genocide,"
and "would harm the proposal to establish a history commission to
investigate the 1915 events."
Ertugrul Ozkok from daily Hurriyet said he considered the campaign a
joke, asking who would apologize for the Turkish diplomats murdered
by the ASALA terror organization, or the Turks and Kurds who were
slaughtered by Armenian gangs in 1915.
Nuray Mert from daily Radikal argued the campaign aimed at "scraping
the Turkish intellectuals from their historical shame and to make
them feel good and civilized." She also questioned the apology part of
the statement asking, "On whose behalf and to whom should I apologize?"
"I am really disturbed by the act of apologizing to a nation in the
name of national or ethical belonging. This is no different than
bragging about ones nationality. Therefore, I would like to sign the
text without the apology part," she wrote.
The new Web site "ozurdilemiyoruz.com" (we do not apologize) opened by
a group calling themselves "The Real Turkish Intellectuals," posted
a statement saying "we do not have any apology for anybody. We only
have a call to account from those who murdered our ancestors and
brothers." More than 2,000 people have signed the statement so far.
TURKISH WEBSITE OZUR DILIYORUZ REMOVES THE 13.315 NAMES
SIGNATORIES OF THE PETITION APOLOGIZING TO ARMENIANS
De Facto
Dec 19, 2008
YEREVAN, 19.12.08. DE FACTO. Yesterday, on December 18, after a 3 hours
interruption, between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., website özur diliyoruz,
which diffuses the petition of the intellectuals Turks be sorry " to
the Armenians for the Great Catastrophe of 1915", erased the 73 pages,
on which were registered 13 315 signatories names brought together
in 3 days, an independent French journalist Jean Eckian told DE FACTO.
According to Eckian, one cannot prevent oneself from thinking that
the initiative is to be brought closer to the declaration of Turkish
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who declared yesterday "I do
not accept nor supports this campaign. We did not commit a crime;
therefore we do not need to present excuses". It thus seems, for this
hour, that the censure fell once more on the freedom expression in
Turkey, unless the authors of the petition considered it necessary to
protect the identity from the thousands of people come to give their
support for the declaration. Probable or not, the Turkish authorities
already had to raise them. Always it is that it is not possible any
more maintaining to join the 250 original signatories. The petition
is blocked on number 13.315.
For answer to the petition of the intellectuals, Turkish nationalists
also launched a similar website "www.ozurdi liyorum.com" with the
following sentence: "there was no genocide was to defend the nation,
we will no excuses." And in Germany, Union of European Turkish
Democrats denounced the "campaign initiated by a group of so-called
intellectuals".
In addition, Azeri Press Agency, reports that, according to Turkish
information, "Member of MHP, parliamentarian, Janan Aritman, dropped
has hint that the president's mother was Armenian. "We see that the
president supports this campaign. Abdullah Gul should be the president
of the whole Turkish nation, not off his ethnic origin. Investigate
the ethnic origin off the president's mother, and you will see,"
he said, adding "the organizers of this petition are traitors".
In Eckian's words, summon claim in Turkey that Abdullah Gul's mother
was born to year Armenian-origin family from Kayseri and father was
year Arab moved to Kayseri.
To note, that the petition of Turkish intelligentsia aroused a great
interest in the international press.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
De Facto
Dec 19, 2008
YEREVAN, 19.12.08. DE FACTO. Yesterday, on December 18, after a 3 hours
interruption, between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., website özur diliyoruz,
which diffuses the petition of the intellectuals Turks be sorry " to
the Armenians for the Great Catastrophe of 1915", erased the 73 pages,
on which were registered 13 315 signatories names brought together
in 3 days, an independent French journalist Jean Eckian told DE FACTO.
According to Eckian, one cannot prevent oneself from thinking that
the initiative is to be brought closer to the declaration of Turkish
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who declared yesterday "I do
not accept nor supports this campaign. We did not commit a crime;
therefore we do not need to present excuses". It thus seems, for this
hour, that the censure fell once more on the freedom expression in
Turkey, unless the authors of the petition considered it necessary to
protect the identity from the thousands of people come to give their
support for the declaration. Probable or not, the Turkish authorities
already had to raise them. Always it is that it is not possible any
more maintaining to join the 250 original signatories. The petition
is blocked on number 13.315.
For answer to the petition of the intellectuals, Turkish nationalists
also launched a similar website "www.ozurdi liyorum.com" with the
following sentence: "there was no genocide was to defend the nation,
we will no excuses." And in Germany, Union of European Turkish
Democrats denounced the "campaign initiated by a group of so-called
intellectuals".
In addition, Azeri Press Agency, reports that, according to Turkish
information, "Member of MHP, parliamentarian, Janan Aritman, dropped
has hint that the president's mother was Armenian. "We see that the
president supports this campaign. Abdullah Gul should be the president
of the whole Turkish nation, not off his ethnic origin. Investigate
the ethnic origin off the president's mother, and you will see,"
he said, adding "the organizers of this petition are traitors".
In Eckian's words, summon claim in Turkey that Abdullah Gul's mother
was born to year Armenian-origin family from Kayseri and father was
year Arab moved to Kayseri.
To note, that the petition of Turkish intelligentsia aroused a great
interest in the international press.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
No comments:
Post a Comment