TURKEY: ARMY REJECTS PUSH FOR ARMENIAN APOLOGY

Adnkronos International Italia
Dec 19 2008
Italy

Istanbul, 19 Dec. (AKI) – The Turkish army on Friday rejected a
recent call by intellectuals and civil rights activists for a public
apology to Armenians for the massacre committed during the Ottoman
Empire in 1915. "We don’t think this is right. It is wrong and will
create harmful consequences," Brigadier General Metin Gurak said in
a report cited by the daily, Hurriyet.

Around 200 Turkish academics, writers and journalists have launched
a website issuing an apology to the Armenians regarding the 1915
incidents and called for supporters to endorse their campaign. The
online apology does not use the word genocide, but recognises that
Armenians suffered a "great catastrophe".

The move has generated fierce debate in Turkey even though the
country has made a proposal to establish an independent commission
to investigate the claims.

On Wednesday, Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Recep Erdogan (Photo)
attacked the online apology for the massacre of Armenians by Ottoman
forces during World War I, warning that it could threaten recent
efforts to restore long-severed ties with Armenia.

"We did not commit a crime, therefore we do not need to apologise,"
he said. "It will not have any benefit other than stirring up trouble,
disturbing our peace and undoing the steps which have been taken."

Turkey’s opposition parties, Republican People’s Party (CHP) and
Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), have also harshly criticised the
campaign.

Campaign organisers have claimed more than 11,100 people have endorsed
the apology, after it was launched online.

Turkish President Abdullah Gul said everyone had the right to their
opinions freely in a democratic society.

"The president’s view is that the fact that the issue is discussed
freely in academic and public circles is proof of the presence of
democratic discussion in Turkey," Thursday’s statement from Gul’s
office said.

The Armenian government estimates up to 1.5 million Armenians died
under the Ottoman empire and the figure is backed by many historians.