The 24th of April carries a particular
significance for our Armenian citizens and for all Armenians around the world, and
provides a valuable opportunity to share opinions freely on a historical matter.
It is indisputable that the last years of the Ottoman
Empire were a difficult period, full of suffering for Turkish, Kurdish, Arab, Armenian
and millions of other Ottoman citizens, regardless of their religion or ethnic
origin.
Any conscientious, fair and humanistic approach to
these issues requires an understanding of all the sufferings endured in this
period, without discriminating as to religion or ethnicity.
Certainly, neither constructing hierarchies of pain
nor comparing and contrasting suffering carries any meaning for those who
experienced this pain themselves.
As a Turkish proverb goes, “fire burns the place where
it falls”.
It is a duty of humanity to acknowledge that Armenians
remember the suffering experienced in that period, just like every other
citizen of the Ottoman Empire.
In Turkey, expressing different opinions and thoughts freely
on the events of 1915 is the requirement of a pluralistic perspective as well
as of a culture of democracy and modernity.
Some may perceive this climate of freedom in Turkey as
an opportunity to express accusatory, offensive and even provocative assertions
and allegations.
Even so, if this will enable us to better understand historical
issues with their legal aspects and to transform resentment to friendship again,
it is natural to approach different discourses with empathy and tolerance and expect
a similar attitude from all sides.
The Republic of Turkey will continue to approach every
idea with dignity in line with the universal values of law.
Nevertheless, using the events of 1915 as an excuse
for hostility against Turkey and turning this issue into a matter of political
conflict is inadmissible.
The incidents of the First World War are our shared pain.
To evaluate this painful period of history through a perspective of just memory
is a humane and scholarly responsibility.
Millions of people of all religions and ethnicities
lost their lives in the First World War. Having experienced events which had
inhumane consequences - such as relocation - during the First World War, should
not prevent Turks and Armenians from establishing compassion and mutually
humane attitudes among towards one another.
In today’s world, deriving enmity from history and
creating new antagonisms are neither acceptable nor useful for building a common
future.
The spirit of the age necessitates dialogue despite differences, understanding by heeding others, evaluating
means for compromise, denouncing hatred, and praising respect and tolerance.
With this understanding, we, as the Turkish Republic, have
called for the establishment of a joint historical commission in order to study
the events of 1915 in a scholarly manner. This call remains valid. Scholarly research
to be carried out by Turkish, Armenian and international historians would play
a significant role in shedding light on the events of 1915 and an accurate understanding
of history.
It is with this understanding that we have opened our
archives to all researchers. Today, hundreds of thousands of documents in our
archives are at the service of historians.
Looking to the future with confidence, Turkey has
always supported scholarly and comprehensive studies for an accurate understanding
of history. The people of Anatolia, who lived together for centuries regardless
of their different ethnic and religious origins, have established common values
in every field from art to diplomacy, from state administration to commerce.
Today they continue to have the same ability to create a new future.
It is our hope and belief that the peoples of an
ancient and unique geography, who share similar customs and manners will be
able to talk to each other about the past with maturity and to remember
together their losses in a decent manner. And it is with this hope and belief
that we wish that the Armenians who lost their lives in the context of the
early twentieth century rest in peace, and we convey our condolences to their
grandchildren.
Regardless of their ethnic or religious origins, we pay
tribute, with compassion and respect, to all Ottoman citizens who lost their
lives in the same period and under similar conditions.
