TURKISH PM ERDOGAN’S APRIL 23 STATEMENT ON ARMENIAN ISSUE (IN ENGLISH)
Hurriyet Daily News, Turkey
April 23 2014
THE MESSAGE OF THE PRIME MINISTER OF THE REPUBLIC OF TURKEY, RECEP
TAYYIP ERDOÐAN ON THE EVENTS OF 1915 (UNOFFICIAL TRANSLATION)
“The 24th of April carries a particular significance for our Armenian
citizens and for all Armenians around the world, and provides a
valuable opportunity to share opinions freely on a historical matter.
It is indisputable that the last years of the Ottoman Empire were
a difficult period, full of suffering for Turkish, Kurdish, Arab,
Armenian and millions of other Ottoman citizens, regardless of their
religion or ethnic origin.
Any conscientious, fair and humanistic approach to these issues
requires an understanding of all the sufferings endured in this period,
without discriminating as to religion or ethnicity.
Certainly, neither constructing hierarchies of pain nor comparing and
contrasting suffering carries any meaning for those who experienced
this pain themselves.
As a Turkish proverb goes, “fire burns the place where it falls.”
It is a duty of humanity to acknowledge that Armenians remember the
suffering experienced in that period, just like every other citizen
of the Ottoman Empire.
In Turkey, expressing different opinions and thoughts freely on the
events of 1915 is the requirement of a pluralistic perspective as
well as of a culture of democracy and modernity.
Some may perceive this climate of freedom in Turkey as an opportunity
to express accusatory, offensive and even provocative assertions
and allegations.
Even so, if this will enable us to better understand historical issues
with their legal aspects and to transform resentment to friendship
again, it is natural to approach different discourses with empathy
and tolerance and expect a similar attitude from all sides.
The Republic of Turkey will continue to approach every idea with
dignity in line with the universal values of law.
Nevertheless, using the events of 1915 as an excuse for hostility
against Turkey and turning this issue into a matter of political
conflict is inadmissible.
The incidents of the First World War are our shared pain. To evaluate
this painful period of history through a perspective of just memory
is a humane and scholarly responsibility.
Millions of people of all religions and ethnicities lost their lives
in the First World War. Having experienced events which had inhumane
consequences – such as relocation – during the First World War,
should not prevent Turks and Armenians from establishing compassion
and mutually humane attitudes among towards one another.
In today’s world, deriving enmity from history and creating new
antagonisms are neither acceptable nor useful for building a common
future.
The spirit of the age necessitates dialogue despite differences,
understanding by heeding others, evaluating means for compromise,
denouncing hatred, and praising respect and tolerance.
With this understanding, we, as the Turkish Republic, have called for
the establishment of a joint historical commission in order to study
the events of 1915 in a scholarly manner. This call remains valid.
Scholarly research to be carried out by Turkish, Armenian and
international historians would play a significant role in shedding
light on the events of 1915 and an accurate understanding of history.
It is with this understanding that we have opened our archives to
all researchers. Today, hundreds of thousands of documents in our
archives are at the service of historians.
Looking to the future with confidence, Turkey has always supported
scholarly and comprehensive studies for an accurate understanding of
history. The people of Anatolia, who lived together for centuries
regardless of their different ethnic and religious origins, have
established common values in every field from art to diplomacy,
from state administration to commerce. Today they continue to have
the same ability to create a new future.
It is our hope and belief that the peoples of an ancient and unique
geography, who share similar customs and manners will be able to talk
to each other about the past with maturity and to remember together
their losses in a decent manner. And it is with this hope and belief
that we wish that the Armenians who lost their lives in the context
of the early twentieth century rest in peace, and we convey our
condolences to their grandchildren.
Regardless of their ethnic or religious origins, we pay tribute,
with compassion and respect, to all Ottoman citizens who lost their
lives in the same period and under similar conditions.”