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The Sunday Star-Times (Auckland, New Zealand)
November 17, 2013 Sunday
Gallipoli threat 'deplorable'
TURKEY HAS warned Australia against any further formal recognition of
the Armenian genocide to avoid undermining the nations' relationship
and thecentenary commemoration of the Gallipoli campaign in 2015.
NSW Premier Barry O'Farrell has retaliated, saying it was "deplorable"
for the anniversary to be used for political purposes.
Turkey has also made it clear that New South Wales MPs are not welcome
to attend the ceremony because of bipartisan support for a motion
moved in Parliament by O'Farrell in May that condemns the Armenian
genocide.
The warning from the Turkish speaker of the parliament, Cemil Cicek,
has come on the eve of a public ballot for 8000 tickets reserved for
Australians to attend the special ceremony in Gallipoli on April 25,
2015.
Speaking to the Sydney Morning Herald through an interpreter, Cicek
saidany support for claims about genocide without hearing the Turkish
side"could cause huge rifts between the nations and even jeopardise
commemorations around Gallipoli."
Cicek called on the NSW Parliament to withdraw its resolution, saying
reports of an Armenian genocide were "still inconclusive".
"We have no problem with Armenian communities in Turkey," he said.
"We have a problem with the Armenian diaspora who are still
propagating this argument."
O'Farrell said two similar resolutions had been moved in 1996 and 2012
without any similar threats. "It's deplorable anyone associated with
the Turkish Government would try and use next year's centenary of the
Gallipoli landing for political purposes."
In opposition, Treasurer Joe Hockey called for formal recognition of
the genocide in the Federal Parliament, but is now reluctant to make
any further comments that might jeopardise his dealings with Turkey in
forums including the G20 which Australia will host next year. In May
2011 he said the genocide "is one of the least known, least understood
and least respected human tragedies of the modern era".
Armenian National Committee of Australia executive director Vache
Kahramanian said the threat of a ban on MPs was "extremely troubling".
"For almost 100 years the Turkish state has continued to deny what is
publicly and widely known as a historical reality," he said.
FAIRFAX
November 17, 2013 Sunday
Gallipoli threat 'deplorable'
TURKEY HAS warned Australia against any further formal recognition of
the Armenian genocide to avoid undermining the nations' relationship
and thecentenary commemoration of the Gallipoli campaign in 2015.
NSW Premier Barry O'Farrell has retaliated, saying it was "deplorable"
for the anniversary to be used for political purposes.
Turkey has also made it clear that New South Wales MPs are not welcome
to attend the ceremony because of bipartisan support for a motion
moved in Parliament by O'Farrell in May that condemns the Armenian
genocide.
The warning from the Turkish speaker of the parliament, Cemil Cicek,
has come on the eve of a public ballot for 8000 tickets reserved for
Australians to attend the special ceremony in Gallipoli on April 25,
2015.
Speaking to the Sydney Morning Herald through an interpreter, Cicek
saidany support for claims about genocide without hearing the Turkish
side"could cause huge rifts between the nations and even jeopardise
commemorations around Gallipoli."
Cicek called on the NSW Parliament to withdraw its resolution, saying
reports of an Armenian genocide were "still inconclusive".
"We have no problem with Armenian communities in Turkey," he said.
"We have a problem with the Armenian diaspora who are still
propagating this argument."
O'Farrell said two similar resolutions had been moved in 1996 and 2012
without any similar threats. "It's deplorable anyone associated with
the Turkish Government would try and use next year's centenary of the
Gallipoli landing for political purposes."
In opposition, Treasurer Joe Hockey called for formal recognition of
the genocide in the Federal Parliament, but is now reluctant to make
any further comments that might jeopardise his dealings with Turkey in
forums including the G20 which Australia will host next year. In May
2011 he said the genocide "is one of the least known, least understood
and least respected human tragedies of the modern era".
Armenian National Committee of Australia executive director Vache
Kahramanian said the threat of a ban on MPs was "extremely troubling".
"For almost 100 years the Turkish state has continued to deny what is
publicly and widely known as a historical reality," he said.
FAIRFAX