Turkish historian says Western imperialism behind Armenian problem

Anatolia News Agency, Turkey
April 27 2007

Trabzon, 27 April: "Aspirations to found a greater Israel and the
terrorist organization PKK [Kurdistan Workers’ Party] lie beneath
the Armenian problem," Turkish History Society (TTK) chairman, Prof
Dr Yusuf Halacoglu, told at a panel discussion on the Armenian issue
in the Black-Sea city of Trabzon.

Halacoglu stated that the Armenian problem emerged in late 15th century
and the "Western imperialism played on the Armenians to conquer the
Ottoman territories".

"During the 20th century struggle, they used Armenians just as they
did for Bulgarians and Greeks before," Halacoglu said.

Halacoglu also rejected allegations that 1.5 million Armenians were
killed at the hands of Ottomans.

"If these people were killed, then where were they buried," he asked.

"There need to be at least 5,000 mass graves, which do not exist."