TURKEY: POLISH MINISTER PROPOSES HISTORIANS TO DISCUSS ARMENIAN GENOCIDE CLAIM

Anatolia news agency
13 Apr 06

Ankara, 13 April: Polish Foreign Minister Stefan Meller suggested
Turkish, Armenian and Polish historians to meet to discuss so-called
Armenian genocide allegations.

Turkish deputy Parliament Speaker Sadik Yakut received Meller in
Ankara on Thursday [13 April].

Yakut said: “Turkey expects support from Poland during EU membership
process.” He also said: “We felt very sorry over Polish parliament’s
decision (in April 2005) about so-called Armenian genocide. This
distressing development against Turkish nation emerged after Armenia’s
unilateral propaganda which deteriorates the realities. I believe
Poland will not allow the initiatives of marginal Armenian groups
against the relations of the two countries. I believe such groups
will not be supported by Polish parliament.”

Regarding cartoon crisis, Yakut said: “The cartoon crisis in
Denmark brought clash of civilizations onto agenda again. Those
who used freedom of expression irresponsibly depressed billions
of Muslims deeply. We believe that Poland’s exerting efforts to
end anti-Islamic winds by using its influence within EU will have
important consequences.”

Meller said that both the prime minister of Poland and himself
released the necessary statements to apologize from the Muslim
world for the cartoon crises. Referring to a decision approved by
the Polish parliament last year to recognize the events in 1915 as
genocide, Meller said that Armenian people had been living in Poland
for centuries.

Recalling that a number of Polish citizens of Armenian origin have
carried out significant duties, Meller said that they considered that
decision of the Polish parliament as a compensation for suffering
and pain stemming from 1915 events.

Noting that the decision did not have any binding impact on Poland’s
foreign policy, and it did not reflect the view of their government,
Meller said that the decision was not against Turkey.

Meller said that he proposed Turkish Foreign Minister and Deputy
Prime Minister Abdullah Gul to undertake a good-will mission and
bring together Turkish, Armenian and Polish historians.

Stressing that they did not aim to give lessons to the others, Meller
said that Poland had earlier succeeded in resolving the problems with
Germany and Ukraine through dialogue.