Open letter to Gul: Turkish people need recognition of Armenian Genocide
Armenian intellectuals sent an open letter to Turkish President Abdullah Gul. The letter says in part,
"Dear Mr. President,
Your recent meeting with Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan proved that normalization of neighbor relations demand bold and realistic action. It specifically refers to the Armenian Genocide issue, which has divided the two nations since 1915.
Mr. President, it is an outrageous crime against the humanity which has no time limitation. Its recognition is not a demand of the Armenian people but a just expectation of the international community. The Armenian Genocide is a crime against the values of modern civilization, a crime that can't be questioned.
We all should accept that the Ottoman Empire is guilty of the massacre of the Armenian people. Present-day Turkish diplomacy and propaganda machine can't cover this dark page of history.
The historic memory of our nations is deep and restless. Recognition of the indisputable fact of the Armenian Genocide is first of all essential for the Turkish people. Relieving this burden of history, they can turn this dark page and launch a sincere dialogue for true reconciliation.
Your visit to Armenia inspires hope for a new and realistic political course in Turkey. However, these efforts can fail of your state doesn't take action to put an end to the current policy of the Armenian Genocide denial."
"Dear Mr. President,
Your recent meeting with Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan proved that normalization of neighbor relations demand bold and realistic action. It specifically refers to the Armenian Genocide issue, which has divided the two nations since 1915.
Mr. President, it is an outrageous crime against the humanity which has no time limitation. Its recognition is not a demand of the Armenian people but a just expectation of the international community. The Armenian Genocide is a crime against the values of modern civilization, a crime that can't be questioned.
We all should accept that the Ottoman Empire is guilty of the massacre of the Armenian people. Present-day Turkish diplomacy and propaganda machine can't cover this dark page of history.
The historic memory of our nations is deep and restless. Recognition of the indisputable fact of the Armenian Genocide is first of all essential for the Turkish people. Relieving this burden of history, they can turn this dark page and launch a sincere dialogue for true reconciliation.
Your visit to Armenia inspires hope for a new and realistic political course in Turkey. However, these efforts can fail of your state doesn't take action to put an end to the current policy of the Armenian Genocide denial."
