GUL TO MAKE HISTORIC VISIT TO ARMENIA
Alalam News Network
Sept 4 2008
Iran
ANKARA, Sept 4–Turkish President Abdullah Gul on Saturday becomes
the first Turkish head of state to visit Armenia, a move which has
drawn large-scale fire in the Muslim nation.
Gul will go to Yerevan to attend a football match between the two
countries in a bid to normalize relations with the historic foe.
The two countries will face off in a qualifying match for the 2010
World Cup finals and Armenia’s President Serge Sarkisian invited Gul
last month to attend.
Ankara and Yerevan have severe diplomatic relations and remain deeply
divided over the World War I massacres of Armenians under the Ottoman
Empire.
The Turkish presidency said in a statement: "A visit around this match
can create a new climate of friendship in the region," and added, "It’s
with this in mind that the president has accepted the invitation."
While some in the Turkish media have hailed the visit as historic
and a potential breakthrough, the trip remains highly controversial.
Amid a wave of opposition criticism, the ruling Justice and Development
Party (AKP) — which Gul belonged to before being elected president
last year — adopted a very cautious tone.
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said in televised remarks: "I
think it is very positive that the president is going. Rejecting the
(Armenian) invitation would have meant sacrificing sports to politics."
Turkey’s main opposition party said Gul’s decision will send the wrong
signal to Armenia over its campaign for the deaths of Armenians in
1915-1917 to be recognized as "genocide".
Armenia says up to 1.5 million people were killed in orchestrated
massacres during World War I as the Ottoman Empire fell apart before
being dismantled in 1920.
Turkey rejects the genocide label and argues that 250,000- 500,000
Armenians and at least as many Turks died in civil strife as Armenians
fought for independence in eastern Anatolia.