NTV MSNBC
Turkish PM meets representatives of US Jewish community
The delegates also asked Erdogan to discuss regional issues.
Güncelleme: 11:44 TSÝ 27 Eylül 2007 Perþembe
NEW YORK – Turkey’s Prime Minister has used a meeting with
representatives of the US Jewish community to reject allegations the
Ottoman Empire committed an act of genocide against its Armenian
citizens in 1915. Haberin devamý
Meeting with representatives of groups including the Conference of
Presidents, the Appeal of Conscience, the Foundation, the
Anti-Defamation League, the American Jewish Congress, and Bnai Brith
International in New York late Wednesday Prime Minister Recep Tayyip
Erdogan described the genocide claims as baseless. The allegations
were not supported by any scientific or historical grounding.
"The Prime Minister also recalled Turkey’s call to Armenia to
establish a joint commission to study historical facts, and stated
that Turkey expected the Jewish community to confirm its support
against the baseless allegations," a statement issued after the
meeting said.
Following the meeting, Abraham Foxman, the National Director of the
Anti-Defamation League (ADL), said that at times there could be
disagreement between friends, referring to the League’s had accepted
the events of 1915 as being tantamount to genocide. However, Foxman
said that the issue should not be the subject of a resolution of the
US Congress.
"We believe that a matter between Turkey and Armenia related to
history should be tackled between the two parties, not in the US
Congress or the parliament of any other country," he said. "This is
not a political matter and those in the Congress are not historians."
"I believe that we should focus on the future, not the past. If the
Jewish community, the United States and the Congress are willing to
assist they should bring together Turkey and Armenia for the
grandchildren of the two parties."
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