Journal of Turkish Weekly
April 27 2005
Turkish PM Erdogan: We will account for our history
source: Hurriyet
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, participating in the
“Turkish Government” round table part of the the Economist Conference
sponsored by the The Economist Group, called on the countries who
have recognized the so-called Armenian genocide to consider their
positions.
Said Erdogan: “I am saying clearly: we have opened all of our
government archives. Let the Armenians open theirs too. And if
there’s any other country which would like to, let them open their
archives too.”
Said Erdogan further, “If we have to account for our history here, we
will do so. But let the things which should be accounted for
accounted for. No one has the right to hold our past under suspicion.
We cannot say ‘yes’ to this.”
Let there be no ill will
Erdogan had harsh words for the now 15 countries which have
recognized the Armenian genocide. “We don’t appreciate the steps
which have been taken on this subject. Unfortunately, the decisions
made by these parliaments are provoking hatred and ill will in the
world. The future of the world cannot be built on a foundation of
hatred and ill will. There are now 15 national parliaments which have
taken a decision on the Armenian genocide. We will tell them each
individually our feelings on this matter.”
Plans for centennial in the works
Yesterday, Turkish PM Erdogan met at Istanbul’s Ciragan Hotel with
Australian President John Howard. Reportedly, the theme of their
meetings was joint Turkish-Australian recognition of the centennial
of the War at Gallipoli, coming up in 2015.