ARMENIANS REJECT TO PARTICIPATE IN INTERNATIONAL ARMENIAN CONFERENCE IN ISTANBUL

Journal of Turkish Weekly, Turkey
March 15 2006

ISTANBUL – Despite of the invitation to the international
conference on Armenians and Armenian allegations regarding the
Ottoman past which will be conducted in Istanbul on the initiative of
scientists-historians of Turkey, the Armenian historians have refused
participation in the action.

Turkish and international media found the Armenian rejection not
constructive. Turkish prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan had invited the
Armenian President to Turkey twice earlier and the Armenian President
Kocharian had strongly rejected the Turkish invitation.

According to director of Institute of History of the Academy of Science
of Armenia Ashot Melkonian, any scientific discussions with Turkish
scientists would be disrespect for the decision of some European
countries, which have recognized “the Armenian genocide claims”. He
has regarded carrying out of the said action as one more off-putting
step undertaken by Ankara for admission to the European Union.

Knowing that scientists of majority of the European states will
take part in work of conference and America, the Armenians assert,
that from these countries the scientists of Latvia, Poland, Slovakia
have no link to the mentioned question, saying they have small number
Diaspora in the these states.

The Armenian scientists also have declared, that work of the
Armenian-Turkish Committee worked in 2001-2003 on reconciliation also
has not brought any results and that the said structure contradicts
interests of the Armenians.

More than 520.000 Turkish people were massacred by the Armenian
separatists during the First World War.