Civilnet
Armenia's President Serzh Sargsyan, in response to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s invitation to participate in the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Gallipoli on April 24, 2015, has sent the following letter to Erdogan.
"Dear Mr. President,
I received your invitation to participate in the commemoration events of the centenary of the Battle of Gallipoli.
Indeed, the First World War is one of the most horrific chapters in the history of mankind, when millions of innocent lives were lost and destinies were distorted.
Armenian gunner, Captain Sargis Torosyan took part in the Battle of Gallipoli. He was dedicated to the protection and security of the Empire and served faithfully and for his heroism, was awarded military honors by the Ottoman Empire. Whereas, in that same year, the premeditated and widespread massacres and forced deportations of the Armenian people by the Ottoman Empire reached its pinnacle and Sargis Tonoyan himself was not spared. His parents were among the 1.5 million Armenian victims; they were ruthlessly murdered while his sister perished in the Syrian desert.
It was this unprecedented massacre which inspired Rafael Lemkin to coin the word “genocide” and it was the impunity for that crime that prepared the groundwork for the Holocaust and the genocides in Rwanda, Cambodia and Darfur.
According to you, the battles at Gallipoli are a special example of friendly relations not only for Turkey but for the whole world and the battlefield, a monument to the bitter heritage of war and a reminder of peace and friendship. Putting aside the importance of the famous Battle of Gallipoli or Turkey’s controversial role in the First and Second World Wars, it is necessary to remember that peace and friendship, first and foremost is the courage to confront one’s past, historical justice including also universal memory, not selective but full recognition.
Alas, Turkey continues its traditional policy of denial by continually “perfecting” its toolbox of distorting history. This year, for the first time, the Battle of Gallipoli is being commemorated on April 24 when in fact, it began on March 18, 1915 and continued until the end of January 1916 and the Allied forces landed on the shores of Gallipoli on April 25. What purpose does this pursue if not to divert the international community’s attention away from the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide? In the meantime, before initiating a memorial event, Turkey has a more important responsibility toward its own people and all of humanity - to recognize and condemn the Armenian Genocide.
Therefore, I would advise that during your calls for world peace, you not forget to send a message to the world to recognize the Armenian Genocide and honor the memory of 1.5 million innocent victims. It is the duty of each of us to bequeath a history free of distortions to future generations and in that way prevent the repetition of crimes and prepare the way for rapprochement and cooperation among nations, especially neighboring nations.
P.S. Your Excellency, a few months ago, I extended an invitation to you to come to Yerevan to participate in the commemoration ceremonies to honor the memory of the victims of the Armenian Genocide on April 24, 2015. It is not acceptable for us to be hosted by the guest without receiving a response to the guest’s invitation."
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