The Times, London
Dec 15 2004
Turkey will not apologise for Armenian genocide
By Anthony Browne, Brussels Correspondent
TURKEY has reacted angrily to a demand by France that it accept
responsibility for a `genocide’ against Armenians nearly 80 years
ago, which is thought to have influenced the Nazi Holocaust.
Michel Barnier, the French Foreign Minister insisted that Turkey must
officially recognise the 1915 genocide before it joins the European
Union.
Historians believe that Turkish authorities orchestrated the killing
of 1.5 million Armenian Christians, who were indigenous inhabitants
of Turkey, in a brutal attempt to make an ethnically pure nation.
However, the Turkish Government has always said that only a small
number were killed in spontaneous acts of violence.
M Barnier said: `In the course of the accession negotiations, France
will ask for a recognition of the tragedy at the outset of the 20th
century. When the time comes, Turkey should face up to the
requirement of remembrance. The European project itself is founded on
reconciliation.’
He said that recognition should not be a precondition for membership
talks with Turkey, a step to be decided by EU leaders on Thursday.
However, he insisted that Turkey recognise the genocide during the
membership talks, which are expected to last ten years: `We have ten
years to ask it. the Turks have ten years to think about their
response.’
He later referred to it as a genocide, the first time the French
Government has used that word, having previously preferred tragedy.
Many parliaments in Europe have called on Turkey to recognise the
slaughter, which is marked by monuments in many European cities.
However, a Turkish government spokesman said: `There was no such
genocide, so there is no question of recognising a genocide that did
not happen.’
One Turkish official said: `They are just trying to make us angry. It
is their last chance to cause trouble against us.’