Turkish reporters confirm visiting ‘Armenian genocide’ monument
Turkish journalists who visited Armenia have
confirmed they had paid tribute at the monument to the victims of
the alleged "genocide" committed against Armenians in the Ottoman
Empire during World War I.
Kadri Gursel of Turkey’s Milliyet newspaper said the reporters had gone to the site together and laid carnations to the memorial.
"Why did we lay flowers there? To show that we understand their problems. If there will be dialog and normalization, we should definitely show respect. This means respect for the interlocutor," said Gursel.
Armenians claim Ottoman Turks killed 1.5 million people in the Ottoman Empire in the early 20th century. Armenians residing in the Anatolia region started riots in 1890, which intensified during the war, and fought against the Ottoman army in support of Russia. In an effort to end stand-off, the Ottoman government decided in 1915 to resettle the Armenians to other parts of the country. Armenians claim their forefathers were subjected to "genocide" in the process. Ankara dismisses the claims and has offered to research the events through a joint commission of historians. The proposal was reflected in the protocols on mending ties signed by the two governments on October 10.
Gursel said visiting the "genocide" monument is not tantamount to recognizing the Armenian claims.
"We want to know what happened and want it to be revealed. This is my approach. We went to Yerevan to understand Armenians, get to know them and for them to become acquainted with us. Armenia is our neighbor, while Azerbaijan is our brother. But neighbors’ being at odds is wrong."
The group of Turkish journalists visited the Armenian capital as part of a project of the Eurasia Partnership Foundation and met with their counterparts and officials. The group included reporters of such major media outlets as CNN Turk and NTV channels, as well as Milliyet, Sabah, Hurriyet, Cumhuriyyet and Akhsham newspapers.
The Turkish and Armenian governments signed protocols in Zurich October 10 to forge diplomatic ties and open the sealed border, following decades of hostility caused by the Armenian occupation of Azerbaijani territory and "genocide" claims. Ankara’s move caused a cool-down in its relations with Baku. Turkey assured its ally, however, that parliamentary approval of the documents depends on a fair Garabagh settlement.*
Kadri Gursel of Turkey’s Milliyet newspaper said the reporters had gone to the site together and laid carnations to the memorial.
"Why did we lay flowers there? To show that we understand their problems. If there will be dialog and normalization, we should definitely show respect. This means respect for the interlocutor," said Gursel.
Armenians claim Ottoman Turks killed 1.5 million people in the Ottoman Empire in the early 20th century. Armenians residing in the Anatolia region started riots in 1890, which intensified during the war, and fought against the Ottoman army in support of Russia. In an effort to end stand-off, the Ottoman government decided in 1915 to resettle the Armenians to other parts of the country. Armenians claim their forefathers were subjected to "genocide" in the process. Ankara dismisses the claims and has offered to research the events through a joint commission of historians. The proposal was reflected in the protocols on mending ties signed by the two governments on October 10.
Gursel said visiting the "genocide" monument is not tantamount to recognizing the Armenian claims.
"We want to know what happened and want it to be revealed. This is my approach. We went to Yerevan to understand Armenians, get to know them and for them to become acquainted with us. Armenia is our neighbor, while Azerbaijan is our brother. But neighbors’ being at odds is wrong."
The group of Turkish journalists visited the Armenian capital as part of a project of the Eurasia Partnership Foundation and met with their counterparts and officials. The group included reporters of such major media outlets as CNN Turk and NTV channels, as well as Milliyet, Sabah, Hurriyet, Cumhuriyyet and Akhsham newspapers.
The Turkish and Armenian governments signed protocols in Zurich October 10 to forge diplomatic ties and open the sealed border, following decades of hostility caused by the Armenian occupation of Azerbaijani territory and "genocide" claims. Ankara’s move caused a cool-down in its relations with Baku. Turkey assured its ally, however, that parliamentary approval of the documents depends on a fair Garabagh settlement.*
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