Feds downplay rift with Turkey
Published Wednesday April 22nd, 2009
Stephen Thorne, THE CANADIAN PRESS

OTTAWA – The federal government says Turkey’s decision to recall its
ambassador does not represent a diplomatic breakdown between the
countries.

Turkey pulled Ambassador Rafet Akgunay from Ottawa after it learned
that a cabinet minister attended an event this week commemorating the
genocide of Armenians by Turks during the First World War.

But a spokeswoman for Foreign Affairs Minister Lawrence Cannon
insisted Canada’s position on the issue is "not an indictment of
modern Turkey." "Turkey is a democracy, we have good relations with
Turkey – they are allies," said Catherine Loubier. "We welcome the
reconciliation efforts between Turkey and Armenia."

Akgunay was called home for "thorough evaluations and consultations,"
Turkish foreign ministry spokesman Burak Ozugergin said in Ankara.
However, another Turkish official, speaking on condition of anonymity,
said the ambassador was being withdrawn temporarily to protest the
Canadian government’s presence at the event on Parliament Hill.

Aris Babikian, executive director of the Armenian National Committee
of Canada, said Immigration Minister Jason Kenney and Liberal Leader
Michael Ignatieff attended the group’s event Tuesday.

The ceremony marked the fifth anniversary of Canada’s recognition of
the genocide.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper did not attend, but he sent a letter of
support saying Canada hopes "tolerance and openness … will guide
Armenia and Turkey in developing their relations."

"We remember the terrible loss of life during the demise of the
Ottoman Empire in 1915, and in particular the horrific suffering
endured by the Armenian people," Harper wrote in an annual message
officials said was virtually unchanged from his original comment in
2006.

Ignatieff said the memory of the "Great Calamity" is "a reminder of
the destructive power of animosity between nations."

"The memory of the victims of genocide must never be an incitement to
hatred," he added.

"On this day, we commemorate that condemnation of the Armenian
genocide of 1915 as a crime against humanity. In our own time, we
commit ourselves to the intolerance of hatred and the defence of our
shared humanity." Babikian contends the recall is not so much aimed
at Canada as it is at the United States, where legislators have
introduced a resolution recognizing the genocide.

U.S. President Barack Obama was expected to make a statement this week
marking the event’s 94th anniversary.

"I think the Turkish government is sending a message to Obama through
Canada that ‘if you recognize it, look what we will do,"’ Babikian
said.

"This whole stunt, this blackmail by the Turkish government, has a
much wider target than Canada itself."

More than 70 parliamentarians from all parties have confirmed their
attendance at a similar Armenian National Committee event on
Parliament Hill next Tuesday, Babikian added.

The group’s president, Jirair Basmadjian called the Turkish
government’s behaviour "an insult to Canada and to Canadians."

It’s the second time Turkey has recalled its ambassador to Canada over
the genocide dispute.

In 2006, Turkey criticized Harper and briefly withdrew its ambassador
over remarks the prime minister made in support of recognizing the
mass killings as genocide. It also withdrew from a military exercise
in Canada in protest.

Historians estimate that up to 1.5 million Armenians were killed by
Ottoman Turks – an event widely viewed by scholars as the first
genocide of the 20th century.

Turkey denies the deaths constituted genocide and contends the toll
has been inflated and the casualties were victims of civil war and
unrest.

Loubier noted that all federal parties supported the 2004 motion
acknowledging by a vote of 153-68 "the Armenian genocide of 1915" and
condemning it as a crime against humanity.

If passed, the U.S. resolution could undermine efforts by Obama’s
administration to win the help of Turkey, a NATO ally, on key
foreign-policy goals.

U.S. legislators almost passed a similar resolution two years ago, but
congressional leaders did not bring it up for a vote after intense
pressure from the Bush administration.

Obama avoided the term "genocide" when he addressed Turkish
legislators during his visit a month ago. But he said, in response to
a question, that he had not changed his views. As a presidential
candidate, Obama said the killings amounted to genocide.