Turks and Armenians

To the Editor(NewYork Times):

It is our position that unlike the Holocaust, the Armenian allegations of genocide have never been historically or legally substantiated (editorial, May 16). Genocide is a crime defined by international law. As such, it must be proved beyond a reasonable doubt, not by, as you suggest, a "preponderance of serious scholarship."

To expect Turkey to acquiesce to such a severe accusation with regard to its own history while its allies keep regurgitating this sensitive issue for political ends is simply not rational, nor is it fair.

History should be left to historians, and with that understanding, Turkey proposed the establishment of a joint historical commission with Armenia to research this issue last year, to no avail so far. If the evidence is really there, why not accept this offer?

It is only through such a common dialogue that a process of reconciliation can begin. This may ultimately lead to closure for Armenians and Turks alike.

Nabi Sensoy
Ambassador of Turkey
Washington, May 17, 2006

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/05/24/opinion/l24turk.html