INTERNATIONAL TEAM TO DIG UP ALLEGED ARMENIAN MASS GRAVE IN SOUTHEAST TURKEY
Hurriyet website, Istanbul
12 Feb 07
Assertions made in an article in the Turkish magazine "Nokta" last
year that mass Armenian graves could be found in the town of Nusaybin
outside of the city of Mardin were taken up by Swedish professor
David Gaunt, who then brought these assertions to the attention of
the Swedish Parliament.
Gaunt’s accusations have elicited a response from the head of the
Turkish History Foundation (TTK), Professor Yusuf Halacoglu, who has
invited all interested parties to come to Turkey and participate
together in an opening up the gravesite in question. Professor
Halacoglu, who subsequently received an affirmative answer from
Professor Gaunt, said the following regarding the situation:
"Professor Gaunt has said that he would be pleased to cooperate
in the opening up of the gravesite in the Mardin area town of
Nusaybin. However, he has some preconditions: During digging, he
wants complete freedom in the region. In addition, he is requesting
the opportunity to speak with anyone in the area who claims to know
something about these mass graves….We have naturally accepted all
of these demands. In fact, we have said that we are prepared to meet
any needs that his delegation may have while in Turkey. We suggested
that March would be a good time, as the weather would be perfect. Now
we are waitin g for the confirmation that they will in fact come."
Professor Halacoglu noted that if the mass grave in question does
in fact turn out to hold the bodies of Armenians and/or Suryanis,
he will be prepared to apologize in a public press conference, but
if not, he is expecting that Professor Gaunt will apologize.