armradio
09.12.2008 15:05

Armenian intellectuals call on the President of Turkey to recognize
the Armenian Genocide

Nearly 300 Armenian culture and art workers – academicians, doctors,
heads of public and media organizations – addressed an open letter to
the President of Turkey, Abdullah Gul, in which they call on him to
recognize the Armenian Genocide. The letter states, in part:

"Dear Mr. President,
The new situation in the South Caucasus established after the latest
events, Armenian President Serzh sargsyan’s daring step of inviting
you to Armenia and the meeting that took place once again confirm that
the establishment of good-neighborly relations between Armenia and
Turkey requires courageous and realistic solutions. First of all, we
face the long-standing issue of recognition of the Armenian Genocide.

Let’s honestly accept that this problem has been dividing the two
peoples ever since 1915. Mr. President, in this case we deal with a
dreadful crime against humanity. This is not only the demand of the
Armenian people, but also the fair expectation of the international
community.

The current diplomacy of Turkey and the propaganda cannot close the
dark pages of our common history. Your generation should accept the
undeniable truth and recognize the Armenian Genocide. We think this is
first of all necessary to the Turkish people. This way it will get rid
of the burden of history and will stand next to other states
open-faced. Only this way it is possible to close that page and
confidently step into future.

Your visit to Armenia and Turkey’s initiative targeted at establishing
stability in the Caucasus inspire certain hope that a realistic
political flow is gradually shaping in Turkey, but these efforts may
easily fail if the state does undertake decisive steps by ending its
current policy of Armenian Genocide denial," the letter states.

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