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Turkey recalls ambassador over Armenian commemoration
Attendance by government representatives at ceremony in Ottawa ruffles
feathers over use of word 'genocide'
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTG AM.20090422.wturkey22/BNStory/politics/
BRIAN LAGHI
>From Wednesday's Globe and Mail
April 22, 2009 at 2:14 AM EDT
OTTAWA - Turkey has temporarily called home its ambassador for consultations
in protest against events commemorating Canada's recognition of mass
killings in Armenia as a genocide.
The government participated in a commemoration ceremony last night - as did
opposition MPs and Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff - of a parliamentary
vote five years ago to recognize the crimes as genocide. The temporary
return of Ambassador Rafet Akgunay also follows a message from Prime
Minister Stephen Harper recalling the "terrible loss of life during the
demise of the Ottoman empire in 1915, and in particular the horrific
suffering endured by the Armenian people."
Turkey is deeply opposed to calling the events a genocide and recalled its
ambassador for consultations in 2006.
The Turkish government said it is concerned over last night's event and with
Mr. Harper's note.
The note appeared on the website of the Congress of Canadian Armenians, but
it has been removed and a new and slightly amended statement was issued
yesterday.
The Turks believe that referring to the events as genocide is incorrect
because there is a need for an ongoing scholarly debate. They believe that
governments and Parliaments should not decide a historical matter through
votes.
The Turks say they are also moving towards normalizing relations with
Armenia.
Turkish officials did not wish to comment directly on the matter. However,
sources confirmed Mr. Akgunay was asked home to consult.
Kory Teneycke, a spokesman for the Prime Minister, said last night the
Turkish position is not a new one.
"It's not new that the Turkish government has a difference of opinion around
the issue of the Armenian genocide," Mr. Teneycke said. "The Canadian
government's position is long-standing and has been affirmed by all-party
resolutions in the House of Commons. We stand by our position and it's not
done with any intent to offend."
He said Turkey is a friend and an ally.
The Prime Minister's note also praises individuals on both sides of the
issue who are examining the events and who "seek to achieve a common
understanding with honesty and in a spirit of reconciliation."
At last night's event, an official representing the Armenian community said
he was not concerned by the Turkish recall.
"In my view, it is hollow threats," said Taro Alepian, chairman of the
Congress of Canadian Armenians, which put on the event. "Canada cannot be
bullied. Canada must do the right thing."
Meanwhile, Anthony Barsamian, a representative of the Armenian Assembly of
America, told the group that U.S. President Barack Obama also plans to make
a statement later this week on the Armenian issue.
Those in attendance included Immigration Minister Jason Kenney, who told the
group that the occasion was bittersweet.
"It teaches us and should teach all future generations that ethnic and
religious hatred combined with violence can lead to hateful crimes against
humanity," Mr. Kenney said.
The recognition was originally adopted by a parliamentary vote, but was not
supported by the Paul Martin government of the time. The Harper government
later made the recognition official government policy.
About 70,000 Armenians live in Canada, mostly in Toronto and Montreal.
Attendance by government representatives at ceremony in Ottawa ruffles
feathers over use of word 'genocide'
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTG AM.20090422.wturkey22/BNStory/politics/
BRIAN LAGHI
>From Wednesday's Globe and Mail
April 22, 2009 at 2:14 AM EDT
OTTAWA - Turkey has temporarily called home its ambassador for consultations
in protest against events commemorating Canada's recognition of mass
killings in Armenia as a genocide.
The government participated in a commemoration ceremony last night - as did
opposition MPs and Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff - of a parliamentary
vote five years ago to recognize the crimes as genocide. The temporary
return of Ambassador Rafet Akgunay also follows a message from Prime
Minister Stephen Harper recalling the "terrible loss of life during the
demise of the Ottoman empire in 1915, and in particular the horrific
suffering endured by the Armenian people."
Turkey is deeply opposed to calling the events a genocide and recalled its
ambassador for consultations in 2006.
The Turkish government said it is concerned over last night's event and with
Mr. Harper's note.
The note appeared on the website of the Congress of Canadian Armenians, but
it has been removed and a new and slightly amended statement was issued
yesterday.
The Turks believe that referring to the events as genocide is incorrect
because there is a need for an ongoing scholarly debate. They believe that
governments and Parliaments should not decide a historical matter through
votes.
The Turks say they are also moving towards normalizing relations with
Armenia.
Turkish officials did not wish to comment directly on the matter. However,
sources confirmed Mr. Akgunay was asked home to consult.
Kory Teneycke, a spokesman for the Prime Minister, said last night the
Turkish position is not a new one.
"It's not new that the Turkish government has a difference of opinion around
the issue of the Armenian genocide," Mr. Teneycke said. "The Canadian
government's position is long-standing and has been affirmed by all-party
resolutions in the House of Commons. We stand by our position and it's not
done with any intent to offend."
He said Turkey is a friend and an ally.
The Prime Minister's note also praises individuals on both sides of the
issue who are examining the events and who "seek to achieve a common
understanding with honesty and in a spirit of reconciliation."
At last night's event, an official representing the Armenian community said
he was not concerned by the Turkish recall.
"In my view, it is hollow threats," said Taro Alepian, chairman of the
Congress of Canadian Armenians, which put on the event. "Canada cannot be
bullied. Canada must do the right thing."
Meanwhile, Anthony Barsamian, a representative of the Armenian Assembly of
America, told the group that U.S. President Barack Obama also plans to make
a statement later this week on the Armenian issue.
Those in attendance included Immigration Minister Jason Kenney, who told the
group that the occasion was bittersweet.
"It teaches us and should teach all future generations that ethnic and
religious hatred combined with violence can lead to hateful crimes against
humanity," Mr. Kenney said.
The recognition was originally adopted by a parliamentary vote, but was not
supported by the Paul Martin government of the time. The Harper government
later made the recognition official government policy.
About 70,000 Armenians live in Canada, mostly in Toronto and Montreal.