Zaman, Turkey
Oct 22 2004

PM: Genocide Allegations to be Resolved by Historians not Parliaments

During a persuasion tour to Europe ahead of the critical December
17th European Union (EU) leaders summit, Turkish Prime Minister Recep
Tayyip Erdogan said that the Armenian genocide allegation is not an
issue to be solved through ideological approaches or at the
parliaments.

In a press conference at the Organization of Economic Cooperation and
Development (OECD) yesterday, a French reporter asked why Erdogan did
not use the term “so-called” when referring to the allegations of
genocide as other Turkish politicians do. Erdogan replied that the
issue is not one that can be solved in parliaments and that it should
be left to historians.

“Those who make the allegations could visit our archives, but they do
not come to check the archives If you don’t do this, you cannot view
the issue objectively.”

The Prime Minister also disclosed that Turkey has opened an air
corridor to Armenia and that Armenians living in Turkey have been
tremendously supportive in Turkey’s EU bid. The issue would not be
turn into a grudge issue, Erdogan added, “We are a country that gives
importance to earning friends. If other countries acted similarly,
then world peace would be won.”

10.22.2004
Foreign News Services
Istanbul