“WE ARE READY TO RENDER AN ACCOUNT OF HISTORY IF NEEDED”, ERDOGAN STATED AFTER MEETING WITH BAYKAL

Azg/arm
10 March 05

On March 4 Azg informed about the initiative of Deniz Baykal, leader
of the Democratic-Republican Party, to meet Recep Tayyp Erdogan,
Turkish Prime Minister, with the suggestion “to Work in Conference to
Repulse the Statements on the Armenian Genocide.” On March 8, Baykal
met with Erdogan. The meeting lasted an hour and a half. Onur Oymen,
deputy chairman of the Democratic-Republican Party, and Shuqryu
Eleqdeg, parliamentarian, were also present at the meeting. Erdogan
received them in the presence of Abdullah Gul, Turkish foreign
minister, and Jemil Ciceq, Turkish justice minister.

The meeting was highlighted by the main information program of the
Turkish TV, as well as, by Reuters and the leading newspapers of
Turkey.

Baykal represented the draft “On the struggle against the statements
on the Armenian genocide,” as well as two letters addressed to the
House of Lords and the House of Commons of the Great Britain. Erdogan
assured that they will in conference elaborate the draft. The content
of the draft is unknown. By the end of the meeting Erdogan and Baykal
made statements for the press.

Erdogan stated the fact of putting forward such issues in front of
Turkey for being accepted to the EU. He conditioned this with the
“The Blue Book” written in England 85 years ago. He expressed
suspicion about the truthfulness of this book. In particular, he
added, “Such groundless propaganda will yield no results. We call for
the authors of the statements (on genocide), informing them that we
have opened our state archives, if they are sincere in their
statements, let them open their own archives. The committees
consisting of historians and scholars should work here. If after all
this it will be necessary to take steps, Turkey will take them. If
needed, we are ready to render a political account to the history. We
donâ~@~Yt want to poison the future generations with hatred and
revenge.”

Baykal stated that the propaganda directed to the recognition of the
Armenian Genocide will simultaneously follow the development of the
relations between Turkey and EU. Conditioning this by lobbying
activities, Baykal pointed out “the political” character of the
propaganda. He also called on the Armenians to open their archives
and said, “Everybody should be ready to face the truth.” “Genocide is
a serious accusation. It should be proved by historical facts. While
they only accuse in the propaganda against Turkey, without even
trying to reveal the main peculiarities of the genocide. We achieved
full agreement to tell the world the truth from the Turkish National
Assembly,” he added.

By Hakob Chakrian

–Boundary_(ID_hftzr/kP3wUtwGmPhvM4Pw)–