Council in row over debate on disputed First World War combat
By EDWARD BLACK

The Scotsman – United Kingdom
May 17, 2005

ONE of the most controversial chapters of First World War history
has landed Edinburgh City Council at the centre of a diplomatic storm.

The Turkish Ambassador in London has written to every councillor in
the Scottish capital objecting to a planned debate on disputed events
that took place between the Turks and Armenians in 1915. Akin Alptuna
has requested that Edinburgh City Council withdraws the use of the word
“genocide” to describe the deportation of Armenians.

Turkish historians have claimed Armenian troops switched sides and
began fighting for the Russians, leaving them no option but to deport
Armenian soldiers. But Armenians have long claimed that what took
place was in fact “genocide” killing one million people and campaign
to have this fact recognised – 90 years on.

On Friday the City Chambers will host a symposium organised by the
Scottish Committee for the Recognition of the Armenian Genocide
attended by Donald Anderson, leader of Edinburgh City Council.

But the Turkish ambassador has objected to the use of the word
“genocide” in the title of the debate and has written to councillors
putting his country’s view of the events.

Writing to Edinburgh councillors, Mr Alptuna, who is currently
travelling in the US, says:

“The eastern part of Anatolia was under Russian occupation when those
tragic events took place between the Turks and the Armenians in 1915.
While the Ottoman Turks were fighting for their lives against
the ruthless Russian invaders, the Armenian gangs at that part of
Anatolia joined the ranks of the Russian troops. In other words,
they backstabbed tens of thousands of innocent Turks.”

Mr Anderson said:

“The Armenian community in Edinburgh, and worldwide, are seeking
recognition for genocide and wish to raise awareness of the need for
increasing openness and historical understanding of the scale and
nature of these events. This seminar will contribute to this debate.”

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress