CONFERENCE ON ARMENIAN CAUSE TO OPEN BY TURKISH FOREIGN MINISTER GUL’S
SPEECH

ISTANBUL, AUGUST 25, NOYAN TAPAN. Ayshe Soysal and Tosun Terzioghlu,
Directors of the Bogazichi and Sabanj Univerisities, approved at the
press-conference that the postponed conference concerning the Armenian
Cause will take place at the Bogazichi University, on September
23-25. According to the “Marmara” daily, the two directors mentioned
that the academicians of the Universities again prepared the note of
the conference. They emphasized that such a conference will be greeted
under the principles of the academic ripeness, without forgetting that
it is not for sure that the University shares the opinion expessed by
academicians which, as a result of academic and scientific searches,
must be shared with opinion of other academic circles and the society.
The two directors secured the opinion that still before the
conference, reports of such an academic conference must not become a
target for positive or negative interpretations for political or other
motives as such interpretations do harm the principle of the
scientific and academic freedom. These ideas are not the official
viewpoint of the Universities and may be committed to various
discussions and criticism within the academic circles. “Huriet” stated
that the opening of the conference envisaged at the Bogazichi
University will be held by a speech of Abdullah Gul, the Minister of
Foreing Affairs of Turkey. The newspaper mentioned that Ayshe Soysal,
the Director of the Bogazichi University, asked Gul on the phone to
make the opening speech of this conference. In respond to a question
of media, the Foreing Minister approved the news saying: “The Director
asked me to make a speech. And I answered that I’ll do with pleasure.
We have no reservation or fear on this theme. Why should we hide our
head in the sand? I said the same during the first conference as
well. Its postponing was in vain. Our society can argue on this theme
very calmly.” Some Turkish circles immediatly started reacting upon
holding of this conference in the way they reacted in the past. The
Coucil of the Public Organizations of Turkey, that spoke against the
conference in May, again made a convictng statement on August 23,
emphasizing that they will make attempts to fail the conference this
time as well. “Our four months ago reaction will continue in the same
way. We should do everything in order that the conference does not
take place. Nobody living in this country can betray Turkey,” the
statement reads.