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Riz Khan Interview with Ahmet Davutoglu

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  • Riz Khan Interview with Ahmet Davutoglu

    Excerpt from Riz Khan's interview with Ahmet Davutoglu

    Al Jazeera
    April 11, 2009
    Istanbul, Turkey

    [Excerpted from Riz Khan's interview with then chief foreign policy adviser
    Ahmet Davutoglu. Davutoglu was named Turkey's Foreign Minister on May 1,
    2009.]

    Question from Riz Khan: Of course this time of year there's a lot of
    tension around the anniversary of the deaths of around a million Armenians
    at the end of the last century and of course the word genocide is always one
    that's caused a lot of emotion; it's one that countries want Turkey to
    recognize. Turkey, of course, says it's not the case. Even Barack Obama
    here [in Turkey] sort of avoided the word. I wonder if there's any
    resolution that can be reached and in reaching that resolution are you
    having to skew your relationship with Azerbaijan, which has been,
    traditionally, the ally.

    Answer of Ahmet Davutoglu: Of course first of all this issue is not a
    political issue; it is a historical issue. We should discuss of course with
    [an] open-minded approach. But we should not forget the historical
    realities of early twentieth century. From 1911 until 1924, thirteen years,
    Turkey was in war from Bosnia to Yemen, from Caucasia to Egypt and
    Palestine. So all these events occurred and millions of Turks were killed
    as well. So this is a historical fact. It should not hijack all the
    political realities today and politicians who do not know anything about
    this should not decide for that. And our relation with Azerbaijan is, of
    course, very important and we will keep that relation. It's a strategic
    relation with Azerbaijan and we will protect this.

    http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=411 9008117936157828
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