New Anatolian, Turkey
April 14 2006
Polish F.M. Meller Proposes Turkish, Armenian & Polish Historian To
Meet
ANKARA – 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.
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 & 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.