STEP TOWARD CLOSURE?
By Yonet Tezel
Charge d’affaires, Turkish Embassy
Globe and Mail, Canada
May 17 2006
Ottawa — It might surprise many Canadians to know that, for centuries,
the Turkish-Armenian relationship was predominantly about friendship,
tolerance and peaceful co-existence. It is unfortunate that, all too
often, only the incriminating version of the tragic events of 1915
are taken to represent this relationship.
It should not be inconceivable for both nations to come to terms with
what happened during the First World War and renew their friendship.
That is why Turkey has made a serious effort to engage the Armenian
side in a dialogue about that tragic phase and has proposed
establishing a group of Turkish, Armenian and other historians and
experts to study the events, not only in the archives of Turkey and
Armenia, but in all relevant archives. Their findings would then be
presented to the international community.
Despite Turkey’s offer, however, some accuse the Turks of being
“denialists” and try to discredit any non-Turkish scholars, should
they dare question the validity of Armenian claims.
It is disappointing that Patricia Marchak (The Bonds of History —
letter, May 12), in stating that she has already done research on
this subject for a book she wrote, brushes aside this honest effort
to get to the bottom of the claims of genocide by conducting a joint
study of the primary sources.
Genocide is a very serious accusation. The language of knowledge,
not conviction, should prevail. It could be the first step toward
real closure for both peoples.
tory/LAC.20060517.LETTERS17-11/TPStory/Comment
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
