Azg Daily, Armenia
April 3 2010

ARMENIAN GENOCIDE AFTEREFFECTS TO BE DISCUSSED IN ANKARA

By Hasmik Harutyunyan

Turkish press distorted the facts

Turkish Hurriyet’s April 1 issue’s article about the Armenian and
Turkish intellectuals’ meeting to discuss the fact of the Armenian
Genocide in Ankara on April 24 and 25 organized by the Ankara Freedom
of Thought Initiative does not correspond to reality. The newspaper
wrote that Armenian and Turkish intellectuals would attempt to improve
dialogue between the two nations and discuss the events of 1915.

The Armenian Weekly journalist Khachik Muradyan, who will also
participate in the event, told "Azg" daily in a phone conversation
that the conference is dedicated to the memory of Hrant Dink. It
embraces four parts: the historical part of the Armenian Genocide; the
official denialist policy from the days of "Union and Progress"
political party to the Cemal years; turkization of the economy and
expropriation of Armenians’ property.

"These four themes were proposed by the organizers of the conference.
Discussions of the Armenian Genocide fact are out of the question.
Scientists and representatives denying the Armenian Genocide will not
participate in the conference. The participants recognize the fact of
the Armenian Genocide; they have many times spoken openly about it. We
are going to discuss the aftereffects of the Genocide. My report is
dedicated to the issues of compensation of the Armenian Genocide
survivors’ heirs. If after arriving in Ankara it is cleared up that
the fact of the Armenian Genocide will be discussed, believe me, no
one will participate in the conference", Muradyan said.

Though the Turkish press reported that only Armenian and Turkish
intellectuals would participate in the event, according to Khachik
Muradyan, well-known foreign scientists, who are well informed about
the Armenian Genocide issue, will also participate in the conference.

The conference aims at creating a real atmosphere in Turkey on April 24.

Of course, the initiative is a praiseworthy action, but is April 24 an
appropriate time to discuss the aftereffects of the Armenian Genocide,
when the Armenian-Turkish relations are tense? Maybe it would be
better to hold the conference after April 24, taking into account
current developments.