Davutoglu: We do not deny the Armenians’ grief
tert.am
14:16 – 08.07.12
While travelling from Ankara to Paris, Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet
Davutoglu talked of different issues with journalists, addressing,
among other things, the Armenia Genocide.
Commenting on the opinions voiced, a reporter of the Turkish Milliyet,
Asli Aydintasbas, says that the question was very much prioritized,
noting that reports in that connection will be published after
Davutoglu’s return from France.
`’We were talking of the Syrian issue but we suddenly came up with the
Armenian Cause. You may say what the Armenian Cause has to do with
that or the 1915 events continue frustrating Turkey 100 years after
they happened, ‘ Aydintasbas says, referring to the assassination of
Hrant Dink, the almost broken ties with France or the millions of
Dollars spent by the US Congress every year.
According to the Turkish journalist, Davutoglu’s words suggest that
Turkey has three steps to implement ahead of the 100th anniversary of
the Armenian Genocide.
`There’s no Turkish Foreign Minister saying nothing was committed
against the Armenians in 1915. I do not consider those events
genocide, but that’s the choice of those who say it. We do not deny
your grief; we do realize it. So let’s think together what can be
done. That cannot be a unilateral accusation,’ he said.
The Turkish FM claimed that their history has seen no ethnic
massacres, adding that their nation differs from the Germans in that
respect.
`I look upon the full half of the cup. Though belated, it was
important to hear him say `I feel your sorrow; we will listen to the
Armenians.’ There are obviously efforts to create a joint declaration
ahead of 2015,’ says the Turkish journalist.
The second question, according to her, is the Diaspora issue.
Davutoglu reportedly said that the Turkish Diaspora is not limited to
ethnic Turks as each person who emigrated from those lands, be it an
Armenian, Greek or Jew, is a Diaspora representative from them.
Davutoglu further said that the negotiations with the Armenian
Diaspora have been launched long ago.
And last but not the least, the sensitive diplomacy with Armenia
appears to be the third question. With the bilateral protocols still
being on table, Turkey’s top diplomat called for the Armenians’
withdrawal from what he called Azerbaijani territories. He promised
that Turkey would open the border with Armenia, and launch bilateral
trade and investments if that condition is met.
`That’s a challenging proposal for Armenia. But for Turkey, it has
absolutely no material value, though it is a step towards finding the
split souls and lost identity,’ says Aydintasbas.
`If you want to be useful in terms resolving the Armenian Cause, let’s
work together. I wish the protocols were brought to life. That didn’t
happen because of psychological factors,’ Davutoglu was quoted as
telling journalists.