Turkish academics protest anti-Armenian documentary screening in Turkish schoolsFebruary 19, 2009 - 16:10 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Academics and Armenian citizens in Turkey are angered at the Ministry of Education's decision to screen an anti-Armenian documentary in Turkish schools.Sari Galin documentary was criticized by academics for reflecting the official ideology of the Turkish Republic about Armenian Genocide. It is mostly criticized as unscientific and weak in its claims because it exaggerated the deaths of Turks. "The students were forced to watch that documentary, which indeed had no scientific background. That would only increase hatred and discrimination against the Armenians," the History Foundation of Turkey said in a written statement on Tuesday. For academics, involving children in a conflicting situation is wrong, according to Ali Bayramoglu, a columnist at daily Yenisafak, "this is to make the official ideology and the public opinion exactly the same." "This is similar to the practices of a totalitarian state," Bayramoglu said, adding that it is undemocratic that Armenian schools and Armenian students attending the same classes with Turks were told to watch the documentary. "Imagine if Turks living in Bulgaria were forced to watch a documentary saying that 'Turks have been cruel toward Bulgarians in history.' Would you accept that?" Bayramoglu said. Mensur Akgun, an academic from Istanbul Kultur University, said although he did not watch the documentary, he guessed it was a type of propaganda. "In a period when relations between Armenia and Turkey are improving, it is wrong to distribute propaganda materials, especially to children," said Akgun, Hurriyet Daily News reports. 500 Armenians and intellectuals have sent an open letter to the Turkish Prime Minister to protest the Education Ministry's decision. Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | Armenia border residents dissatisfied with delimitation Residents Kirants are dissatisfied with the results of the delimitation of the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan. “Great success”: Pashinyan pleased with new border protocol Pashinyan has described the signing by Armenia and Azerbaijan of a protocol on delimitation in Tavush as “a great success”. Armenia, Azerbaijan sign protocol on demarcation coordinates Armenia’s government took on May 15 another step towards handing over four border areas to Azerbaijan. Power of One Dram sums up two-year program with Teach for Armenia Idram Junior also joined the companies during the visit, bringing with it a fascinating intellectual game for children |