ANKARA: Politicians support historians’ – Halacoglu & Sarafian –

Sabah, Turkey
Feb 22 2007

Politicians support historians’ meeting

The suggestion of the Armenian historian Sarafyan to research Harput
was welcomed.

The Armenian historian Sarafyan has accepted the suggestion of Turkey
"to let the historians research the events" with an offer to begin
the research in Harput. Then, Halaçoðlu accepted this offer, which
caused an echo of support in the political world.

Politicians have a warm approach towards historians’ meeting

The affirmative response of the Armenian historian Ara Sarafyan to
the offer made by the chairman of the Turkish Institute of History,
Yusuf Halaçoðlu, to conduct research together had positive
repercussions in the political arena.

Metin Kaþýkçýoðlu from the AKP (Justice and Development Party) said:
"our prime minister had offered to leave this business to the
historians. This is a healthy development. The truth should be
uncovered.

Orhan Erdem from the AKP (Justice and Development Party) said: "we
had already brought it to the agenda that historians should cooperate
and form a committee on this issue. This is a positive step."

Onur Öymen, the vice chairman of the CHP (Republican People’s Party)
said: "what matters is the Armenians agree to discuss the issue
within a scientific framework and to accept the truth to be
revealed."