Hürriyet, Turkey
June 2 2006

Orhan Pamuk pressed for “political” answers during Moscow press
conference

Turkish author Orhan Pamuk, in Moscow for ceremonies marking the
publishing of his books “Snow” and “Istanbul” in Russian, was pressed
yesterday at a press conference for answers on the Armenian claims of
genocide by Armenian journalists present in the audience.

During a question and answer section of Pamuk’s press conference, an
Armenian reporter asked him “Are you planning on soon visiting
Armenia soon to publicly recognize the Armenian genocide and
apologize to the Armenian people?” In response, Pamuk said “I did not
come to Moscow to engage in politics. Your question is very
political. Not only that, but the subject you are talking about is
one which concerns Turkey and Turkish people. I came to the Russian
capital to help publicize my books.” Following this exchange, the
Russian director in charge of the press conference warned journalists
to keep their questions limited to the topic at hand.

But the politically-charged questions at Pamuk’s press conference did
not end there. Following the Armenian journalist’s question, an Azeri
reporter stood and asked Pamuk “Do you plan on soon writing a book
explaining that the Armenian claims are all lies?” To this, Pamuk
replied “I have been to Azerbayjian. I have spoken there many times
about my books. But I have spoken only about my books, and I have no
intention of telling anyone what my future books are going to be
about.”

Pamuk, who leaves Moscow for further book publicity in Saint
Petersburg, told reports that he was very happy to be taking the
train from the Russian capital to Saint Petersburg, saying “I will
make my journey by night train, like Anna Karenina. I have always
dreamed of doing this. In the end, my dream has come true.”