Hamparian: ‘Prime Minister Davutoglu’s fake apology today grants no recognition, accepts no responsibility, expresses no regret, and offers no reparations.’
ANKARA, Turkey (A.W.)—Turkey’s Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu extended condolences on April 20 to descendants of “Ottoman Armenians,” survivors of the “1915 deportations,” the same day that Germany announced its plan to “stand behind” a resolution affirming the Armenian Genocide.
Like earlier statements by Turkish officials, Davutoglu spoke of a “shared pain” and rejected the notion that genocide had taken place within the borders of modern Turkey. Davutoglu also took the opportunity to announce that a religious service would be held at the Armenian Patriarchate in Istanbul on April 24 to commemorate the lives lost.
“To reduce everything to a single word, to place all the responsibility solely on the Turkish nation…and to combine this with a discourse of hatred is legally and morally problematic,” said Davutoglu, who added that he believed that “facing history in an honest way” is as important as commemorating victims.
“Prime Minister Davutoglu’s fake apology today grants no recognition, accepts no responsibility, expresses no regret, and offers no reparations,” said Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) Executive Director Aram Hamparian, adding, “Facing a global wave of Armenian Genocide recognition—from the Pope to the European Parliament—Turkey’s leaders are defiantly doubling down on denial.”
Davutoglu also spoke about “healing the wounds” of the past and “reestablishing” the human bond, as well as Turkey’s efforts to create a space where information and historical documents could be discussed. Making false equivalences, Davutoglu talked about the “great torments” that were suffered by Ottoman citizens of various ethnic backgrounds in the last days of the Ottoman Empire. “We once again respectfully remember Ottoman Armenians who lost their lives during the deportation of 1915 and share the pain of their children and grandchildren,” he said, adding that perhaps Turkey and Armenia could remember the Ottoman Armenians together when history becomes depoliticized.
Davutoglu spoke about a duty to “protect” the memory of Ottoman Armenians and the Armenian cultural heritage, which he said was the motivating factor in scheduling the April 24 Istanbul Armenian Patriarchate church service. He concluded his statement with the “shared pain” rhetoric.
Davutoglu made no reference to the diversionary tactic of commemorating the Centennial of the Gallipoli Battles on the day Armenians commemorate the genocide.
“On April 24, President Obama has a historic opportunity to reject Turkey’s gag-rule, ending a shameful chapter of U.S. complicity in Ankara’s denial, and moving Turkey, Armenia, and the region toward a better future based upon a truthful and just resolution of this crime,” said Hamparian.
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