International media continues reporting about Armenia on the eve of the Armenian Genocide Centennial. The 1915 commemorations are also being widely covered in Turkish media. CivilNet has picked up some of the news.
Armenian President Says Ready to Restart Reconciliation With Turkey
Reuters | April 22, 2015
Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan said Wednesday that Armenia is ready to restart talks with Turkey to normalize relations between the two countries, but added that any agreement reached would not contain preconditions. Sargsyan also said that he would not insist that Turkey recognize the Armenian Genocide as part of the normalization process. Armenia and Turkey originally signed accords to establish diplomatic relations in 2009, but the agreements stalled in both countries’ parliaments.
‘They Did Not Succeed in Erasing Us From the Earth’: Armenian President Interview
Euronews | April 22, 2015
In an interview with Euronews, Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan said that the shortest path to reconciliation between Armenia and Turkey is “the recognition of the genocide by the Turks.” Sargsyan added that if Turkey were to sincerely recognize the Genocide, relations between the two countries “would be elevated to a new, quite high level” in a short period of time.
Armenian Genocide Debate Rages on in Turkey Ahead of Commemorations
CBC News | April 22, 2015
Thousands of Armenians and Turks in Turkey will stand side by side during commemorations of the Armenian Genocide in Istanbul on April 24. Turkish Armenians have a difficult time living in the country as an ethic and Christian minority, with some opting to leave the country in order to not suppress their Armenian identity while others stay in Turkey because it’s where they were born and raised.
Armenia Mass Killing Remembered 100 Years on
BBC | April 23, 2015
The BBC video report opens with the Istanbul’s Armenian choir singing in commemoration of the genocide centennial. BBC interviews the mother of Sevag Balıkçı, a Turkish Armenian, who was shot to death during military service on April 24, 2011, as well as Professor Ahmet Insel from the Galatasaray University who spoke about Turkey’s moral responsibility.
Obama Won’t Call it Armenian ‘Genocide’ on 100th Anniversary of Atrocity
CNN | April 22, 2015
United States President Barack Obama will not use the word “genocide” during his remarks commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide Friday in order to not damage relations with the key American Middle East ally. Obama’s action goes against his 2008 campaign promise to “recognize the Armenian Genocide” as president.
Erdoğan to Diaspora: ‘They will play and dance on their own on April 24’
Agos | April 22, 2015
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that the Gallipoli commemorations on April 24 in Istanbul “will talk about world peace” while the Armenians gathered in Armenia for the Armenian Genocide commemoration the same day “will hurl insults at Turkey.” “Armenia speaks as if our 100th anniversary Gallipoli commemorations are in retaliation to theirs,” commented Erdogan in a statement with Iraq president Fuad Masum. “We have no such qualms.”
Turkish PM says deportation is crime against humanity
Hurriyet Daily News | April 22, 2015
Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu told a Turkish television station that deportation is a crime against humanity a day after former Turkish Interior Minister Efkan Ala commented that what happened to the Armenians under the Ottoman Empire wasn’t genocide but deportation.
Armenian church ‘glad’ for message
Hurriyet Daily News | April 22, 2015
The Armenian Patriarchate of Constantinople welcomed the message of condolences provided by Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu ahead of the April 24 commemoration of the Armenian Genocide. “The message is an olive branch, just like the one last year, and it should not dry out,” said Armenian Patriarch locum tenens Aram Ateshyan, referring to last year’s message of condolences from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
The Economist | April 18, 2015
Turkey’s arguing over the use of the word genocide to describe the massacres of over 100 years ago is causing more harm than good for the Anatolian republic. The country should admit its past sins and get out of the “nationalistic trap” that it’s falling into by treating the dispute as a matter of national interest. The best memorial for Turkey in this situation would be improved relations with Armenia and for Armenians, regained access to Mt. Ararat and Ani.
