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Assyria Times
May 10 2013
Turkey bans Australian legislators from Gallipoli
Armenian National Committee of Australia
5/10/2013 10:34:41 AM
Sydney: The Republic of Turkey has sensationally stated that certain
Australian legislators are not welcome to take part in Anzac
celebrations in Gallipoli, as a consequence for passing a motion
recognising the Armenian, Assyrian and Greek Genocides.
Both Houses of the New South Wales State Parliament (Legislative
Council and Legislative Assembly) passed motions over the last week,
affirming the reality of the 1915 Genocides which Turkey still denies.
In response, the Turkish Foreign Ministry has released a statement
stating that those who were responsible for this motion will
`doubtlessly be deprived of the hospitality and friendship' normally
extended to Australians.
More specifically, the official statement says: `These persons who try
to damage the spirit of Çanakkale/Gallipoli will also not have their
place in the Çanakkale ceremonies where we commemorate together our
sons lying side by side in our soil.'
Anzac Day is a national day of remembrance in Australia, commemorating
the Australian and New Zealand soldiers who lost their lives during
World War I after landing in Gallipoli, Turkey on April 25th 1915.
Every year, thousands of Australians make a pilgrimage to Gallipoli
for commemoration ceremonies.
The Armenian National Committee of Australia (ANC Australia) says that
this statement technically means that all members of both Houses of
New South Wales Parliament cannot make this pilgrimage, and will not
be treated hospitably if they visited Turkey due to this legislation,
which affirms the reality of the Armenian Genocide, as well as the
Genocides of Assyrians and Greeks.
ANC Australia Executive Director, Vache Kahramanian said: `The Turkish
Republic is once again trying to gag a democratic state because of
their desire to speak the truth.'
`Turkey has time and time again tried to interfere in the legislative
affairs of nations and legislatures who have the moral standing to
recognise the heinous crime of genocide.'
`Turkey is attempting to utilise the sacred memory of Gallipoli as a
political football. This is a deplorable action and should be
condemned by all,' Kahramanian added.
Kahramanian noted that Turkey has had a long history of making such
threats against nations who have recognised the Armenian genocide,
including France and Canada. None of these threats, which include
ceasing trade and diplomatic relations, have ever materialised.
ANC Australia will be meeting with legislators of Australia's largest
state of NSW in coming days, as many are deeply offended at having an
ally nation ban elected Australian officials from taking part in Anzac
celebrations in Gallipoli, Turkey.
http://www.assyriatimes.com/assyrian/news/genocide/turkey-bans-australian-legislators-from-gallipoli/3495
May 10 2013
Turkey bans Australian legislators from Gallipoli
Armenian National Committee of Australia
5/10/2013 10:34:41 AM
Sydney: The Republic of Turkey has sensationally stated that certain
Australian legislators are not welcome to take part in Anzac
celebrations in Gallipoli, as a consequence for passing a motion
recognising the Armenian, Assyrian and Greek Genocides.
Both Houses of the New South Wales State Parliament (Legislative
Council and Legislative Assembly) passed motions over the last week,
affirming the reality of the 1915 Genocides which Turkey still denies.
In response, the Turkish Foreign Ministry has released a statement
stating that those who were responsible for this motion will
`doubtlessly be deprived of the hospitality and friendship' normally
extended to Australians.
More specifically, the official statement says: `These persons who try
to damage the spirit of Çanakkale/Gallipoli will also not have their
place in the Çanakkale ceremonies where we commemorate together our
sons lying side by side in our soil.'
Anzac Day is a national day of remembrance in Australia, commemorating
the Australian and New Zealand soldiers who lost their lives during
World War I after landing in Gallipoli, Turkey on April 25th 1915.
Every year, thousands of Australians make a pilgrimage to Gallipoli
for commemoration ceremonies.
The Armenian National Committee of Australia (ANC Australia) says that
this statement technically means that all members of both Houses of
New South Wales Parliament cannot make this pilgrimage, and will not
be treated hospitably if they visited Turkey due to this legislation,
which affirms the reality of the Armenian Genocide, as well as the
Genocides of Assyrians and Greeks.
ANC Australia Executive Director, Vache Kahramanian said: `The Turkish
Republic is once again trying to gag a democratic state because of
their desire to speak the truth.'
`Turkey has time and time again tried to interfere in the legislative
affairs of nations and legislatures who have the moral standing to
recognise the heinous crime of genocide.'
`Turkey is attempting to utilise the sacred memory of Gallipoli as a
political football. This is a deplorable action and should be
condemned by all,' Kahramanian added.
Kahramanian noted that Turkey has had a long history of making such
threats against nations who have recognised the Armenian genocide,
including France and Canada. None of these threats, which include
ceasing trade and diplomatic relations, have ever materialised.
ANC Australia will be meeting with legislators of Australia's largest
state of NSW in coming days, as many are deeply offended at having an
ally nation ban elected Australian officials from taking part in Anzac
celebrations in Gallipoli, Turkey.
http://www.assyriatimes.com/assyrian/news/genocide/turkey-bans-australian-legislators-from-gallipoli/3495