PM Erdogan To Sue States Recognizing Armenian Genocide

[Tongue]

PM Erdogan To Sue States Recognizing Armenian Genocide

First response of Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan to Armenian President Robert Kocharian's speech during the Council of Europe summit in Warsaw came on May 16 "unscheduled" press conference and the second one on May 17. Upon his return from Warsaw, PM Erdogan gave his third response on May 18, this time at the sitting of Justice and Prosperity Party.

In all of 3 retorts Erdogan repeats himself resisting Kocharian's speech and meanwhile threatening to sue the 15 states whose parliaments have taken decision of recognizing the Armenian Genocide. Being asked by his party members why he didn't immediately come back at the Armenian President, Erdogan said, "I was absent from the hall because of a bilateral meeting".

Meanwhile, Turkish Prime Minister indirectly confirmed that the rumors about Armenia's readiness to withdraw from "7 regions of Nagorno Karabakh" are false. "The borders are closed. Azerbaijan has problems with Armenia. There are seven [occupied] territories. It's uncertain which one of the 7 regions they are going to leave", he said.

Turkish Yeni Safaq newspaper informs in May 19 issue about the threats Erdogan made to European states. According to the paper, Erdogan said, "There are hitherto 15 parliaments that have taken decisions [on recognition]. We will put those countries on the scale. There are countries among them that have perpetuated genocides. We will counter those states with facts but not basing on lobbyists' activities and undercover talks and we will take appropriate decisions in our parliament. Why? Because Turkey has never been misled into committing a genocide. There is no way for it to be accepted. There may possible be death cases during the deportation. That's true. But why were they deported? Documents give clear answer: because a group of Armenians provoked by others revolted against the Ottomans who were waging war at 3 fronts".

Turkish foreign minister Abdullah Gul confirms the fact of Erdogan's threats. As Milliyet informs in May 19 issue, Gul was asked during a program on Turkish private TV whether they are going to file a lawsuit against the states that recognized the Genocide. Gul Answered, "Yes, we will take that step against those countries. We are working in that direction. They should give an answer why they cast slurs upon us and whether they have grounds for that".

Being asked whether there is such a court to apply, Gul said, "We have means for that. I don't want to go into details but scrupulous work is in progress".

It's hard to say what the expectations of Turkish Prime Minister from accusing the Genocide recognizing states of having carried out genocides, moreover, from filing a lawsuit against them are. But it's clear that RA President Robert Kocharian left no chance for Erdogan to remove the issue of Armenian Genocide from Turkey's agenda by correspondence and by readiness for a meeting.


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[Gavur]

Armenian Lawsuit In The U.S.

Published: 12/8/2005
Latest wire from AFP





BY SEMIH IDIZ
MILLIYET- A recent report by Yasemin Congar in Milliyet about a lawsuit filed over the so-called Armenian genocide shows a possible way to end our headaches. Obviously, the policy of categorically denying the Armenian claims has brought no benefit to Ankara. Parliament’s initiative to refute the ‘Blue Book’ is the latest example of this. As for the lawsuit, one student and two history teachers in Massachusetts are arguing that excluding from history textbooks the Turkish view against the so-called Armenian genocide claims is a violation of academic freedom. Probably the court will agree. Interestingly, the people who filed the suit have no relation to Turkey. In sum, they argue the following: ‘Whether a genocide was committed or not is a separate issue. However, the right of Turks and such scholars as Bernard Lewis and Justin McCarthy to express their views about the issue can’t be taken from them.’ Meanwhile, giving equal time to Turkey’s thesis in history classes is a nightmare for the Armenians as well, because they want everybody to consider the issue from their point of view. Up to now Turkey’s ‘categorical denial’ policy aroused a backlash in the West and helped the Armenians. However, if the suit in Massachusetts is successful, it would set an important precedent.

Actually, there are interesting developments related to the issue in Europe as well. For example, British historian David Irving, a Holocaust denier, has been in prison in Austria since Nov. 11, a situation presenting a sharp dilemma for European academics. Even those who despise Irving for calling the Holocaust a ‘huge lie’ say that what’s being done to him violates academic freedom. The future of the campaign on the issue and what sort of example it will set in Europe is uncertain now. Meanwhile, ‘categorical denial’ advocates won’t like it if the lawsuit in Massachusetts is won. If it’s successful, we could sum up its message as follows: ‘The Armenian claims should be given equal time in Turkish textbooks alongside the Turkish view, just like in US text books.’ Actually this is in line with Turkey’s approach that the issue should be left to historians. However, it’s questionable if Turkey is mature enough to adopt such an approach at this stage.