Zaman, Turkey
April 12 2005
Ankara Ships 11 Countries Blue Book Disclaimer Against So-Called
Genocide Allegations
By Omer Sahin, Servet Yanatma
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has informed about the delivery
of a letter to 11 countries. The letter comprised of the fundamentals
of the so-called Armenian genocide, confirmed by the Turkish
parliament that takes the Blue Book as a reference.
Erdogan said, “If one says genocide to an emigration, then, all
developed countries have done it.” Erdogan, who met yesterday with
Turkish citizens in the Oslo Military Museum Meeting Hall in Norway,
said in response to a citizen’s question on the government’s policies
about the so-called Armenian genocide, that they have undertaken
important tasks on this issue.
Reminded that the Armenian problem will be discussed in parliament on
April 13 the Prime Minister said, “The declaration, to be signed by
our 550 deputies will be sent to London, the Lords and the House of
Commons and to the parliaments of other countries. The world cannot
be established on a foundation of grudges and aversions. There cannot
be such a political foundation. We have already opened air corridor
with Armenia.”
Erdogan noted that Turkey has challenged this issue and is ready to
face up to its history and these same tasks must also undertaken by
the Armenians. The Blue Book is the main resource and record of the
so-called Armenian genocide allegations. Viscount James Brandy and
historian Arnold Tonybee, who were appointed in 1916 to document the
practices and procedures performed against the Armenians, by the
Ottoman administration in 1915-1916, wrote it.
However, it had been revealed that the British propaganda office at
Welling House, who was asked by the US to take their side during
World War I, had attuned the Blue Book.
Meanwhile, Armenian President Robert Kocharian, who yesterday issued
a statement, said that his country works to gain recognition of the
so-called genocide; however, they have never demanded any territory
from Turkey.
Kocharian said, “Recognizing the Armenian genocide in the
international arena is on our agenda, today. Armenian leaders and
politicians decide on what they are able to perform legally in the
future.”
Noting in his speech in Oslo that it is extremely unfair to decide on
Turkey according to the evaluations issued by marginal groups in
Western countries, the Turkish Prime Minister said, “Of course, we do
not allow terrorist organization to wave their flags. It is
impossible to accept terror as a human right. However, when those who
are violated by terror, they say ‘ah, uh’. Excuse me. We have to
realize what is required.”