Hürriyet
Friday, February 16, 2007
Mass grave outside of Mardin to be opened by international delegation
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 waiting 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.