Criticizing labeling 1915 incidents as "genocide", Professor Emeritus in International Relations at Ankara University Turkkaya Ataov said, "Unfortunately they are creating an enemy to create a national identity. And they are transferring these onto young Armenian generations".
The author of 80 books or booklets on the Armenian issue, expert on international relations and historian, Professor Turkkaya Ataov gave a lecture in the U.S. Congress, on the political landscape and events of April 24, 1915 entitled "Turks & Armenians: What Really Happened on April 24, 1915" within the frames of a national speaking tour organized by Assembly of Turkish American Associations (ATAA).
Stating that Speaker of U.S. House Nancy Pelosi and Chairman of House Foreign Affairs Committee Howard Berman aims to recognize 1915 incidents as a "genocide" not because their respect to historical truths but election concerns, Ataov said, "Decisions over historical incidents cannot be made by parliamentarians who have duties towards voters."
Stressing that alleged statements of Hitler related to so called Armenian genocide do not exist, Ataov said, "They are trying to falsify the historical truth with such kind of allegations. Unfortunately they are creating an enemy to create a national identity. And they are transferring these onto young Armenian generations." Stating that history cannot be written through personal wishes, Ataov stated that such people as Armenian origin French singer Charles Aznavour, should not to press international community on recognition of Armenian allegations.
In May 1915, many Armenians in the eastern provinces of the Ottoman Empire were relocated from the war zones in response to the Armenian Revolt which reached its most destructive point in the Van Revolt of March 1915. In June 1915, the relocation reached port cities in Western Anatolia, where Armenian rebels were importing and transporting arms and ammunitions to Armenian nationalists in the east.
Stating that Armenians are urging World public to recognize April 24 as the Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day, Ataov said "In April 24, 1915, 235 leaders out of 77,735 Armenians of Istanbul were moved to and placed under house arrest to the Anatolian city of Chankiri. They were free to move about the city in the day time, and confined to house arrest at night. All were eventually released. One died due to natural causes. Two were murdered by two hooligans, who were tried and executed for their crimes. This is what happened in April 24. Now, how can we fit a genocide in this?," said he.
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|
