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WE SHOULD APOLOGIZE TO ARMENIANS - TURKISH EX-DIPLOMAT
http://news.am/eng/news/144806.html
March 18, 2013 | 00:04
Haber7 News Agency of Turkey interviewed Turkish former diplomat
Volkan Vural who, at present, is a permanent member of the Board of
Directors of the Turkish Industrialists' and Businessmen's Association
(TUSİAD). Below is an excerpt from the talk.
During an interview you said relations should be established with
Armenia, that we should apologize from the Armenians, [but] without
accepting the [Armenian] Genocide. Do you still hold the same view?
Yes. Close to a million Armenians lived in these lands. They are
the children of this land. Several incidents occurred [in these
lands]. In my view, this was a deportation and a tragedy. It is
possible to apologize for this guilt. [But] of course, the Armenians
are at fault, too.
The historians are unable to resolve [this matter]. How will
politicians resolve [it]?
In my view, this is a political matter, and the politicians will
resolve [it]. An apology can be made here, and a call can be made to
the grandchildren of those that died and were deported: "These are
your lands, as well. Come [here], there is place for you, too!" [And
Turkish] citizenship can be granted to those who come.
All right, but what will we do if millions come?
Not that much [will come]. Five-hundred thousand can be the maximum
[that would actually come]. Let it be 600,000, with [their] children
and grandchildren.
Will we open the borders [with Armenia] in 2015 [that is, on the
100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide]?
I think we should open [the borders]; this likewise is very important
for the region of Kars [in Turkey]. Due to not conducting direct trade
[between Armenia and Turkey], third countries are making use of this.
http://news.am/eng/news/144806.html
March 18, 2013 | 00:04
Haber7 News Agency of Turkey interviewed Turkish former diplomat
Volkan Vural who, at present, is a permanent member of the Board of
Directors of the Turkish Industrialists' and Businessmen's Association
(TUSİAD). Below is an excerpt from the talk.
During an interview you said relations should be established with
Armenia, that we should apologize from the Armenians, [but] without
accepting the [Armenian] Genocide. Do you still hold the same view?
Yes. Close to a million Armenians lived in these lands. They are
the children of this land. Several incidents occurred [in these
lands]. In my view, this was a deportation and a tragedy. It is
possible to apologize for this guilt. [But] of course, the Armenians
are at fault, too.
The historians are unable to resolve [this matter]. How will
politicians resolve [it]?
In my view, this is a political matter, and the politicians will
resolve [it]. An apology can be made here, and a call can be made to
the grandchildren of those that died and were deported: "These are
your lands, as well. Come [here], there is place for you, too!" [And
Turkish] citizenship can be granted to those who come.
All right, but what will we do if millions come?
Not that much [will come]. Five-hundred thousand can be the maximum
[that would actually come]. Let it be 600,000, with [their] children
and grandchildren.
Will we open the borders [with Armenia] in 2015 [that is, on the
100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide]?
I think we should open [the borders]; this likewise is very important
for the region of Kars [in Turkey]. Due to not conducting direct trade
[between Armenia and Turkey], third countries are making use of this.