Turkish education council critical of conference on Armenia

Anatolia news agency
25 May 05

ANKARA

In reference to the postponed conference “Ottoman Armenians During the
Empire’s Fall: Scientific Responsibility and Democracy Problems,” the
Turkish Higher Education Council (YOK) indicated today (Wednesday) [25
May] that “such an activity in a Turkish university is an unfortunate
one”.

In a written statement issued, YOK remarked that one of the goals of
an university is to publicize information found upon in-depth
research. According to YOK statement, publicity involves all
scientific publications, conferences and meetings, underlining that
all kinds of views and thoughts are expected to take place in this
process.

“But, the conference’s preparation committee made it public on 17 May
that the conference to take place at Bogazici University from May 25th
until 27th will include statements that are different compared to
official Turkish stance on the matter… and that it is high-time for
some Turkish circles to raise their voices which are quiet different
than the official point of view. Such comments by the preparation
committee and other statements by the committee members clearly show
that no other views or thoughts related to the topic are given place
at the conference,” said YOK’s statement.

“We have reached a conclusion that the postponed conference can not be
a scientific meeting whose peculiarities are stated above. Such
efforts in a Turkish university is unfortunate for the Turkish Higher
Education,” remarked YOK’s declaration.