Armenian Academic Reacts To Apology Speculations

Armenian academic in Australia's Macquarie University, Arem Gakavian reacts to Turkish media, claiming his words have been "subsequently distorted" during an interview about his supposed initiative to apologize from Turks for Armenian terrorist acts in the past.

A number of Turkish intellectuals had started an online campaign, apologizing from Armenians for the lack of recognition regarding the events of 1915. More than 30 thousand have signed the petition so far.

It was alleged that Gakavian was to respond to this campaign and others such as Dr. Denis Papazian from the US was endorsing it.

Turkish daily Radikal interviewed Gavakian and an article appeared on Today's Zaman. Following reactions, Gavakian issued a note to clarify his views:

"In an interview with Turkish Radikal Daily, published on 1st February 2009, I acknowledged

and thanked the current campaign for an apology initiated by Turkish intellectuals and signed by over 30,000 Turks around the world. I emphasised that this Turkish apology is only the beginning, and clearly stated that there needs to be a Turkish state apology for the crime of the Armenian Genocide, followed by corrective action.

I also referred to my own “thank you” statement for the Turkish apology that I, with the help of some friends, am drafting for discussion. However I never stated that we were preparing a “counter-apology”; nor are there any plans of issuing a “counter-apology”.

In the interview, I never claimed to speak for other Armenians, nor did I state that the

Armenians should apologise for anything. I merely stated my own personal view, in the context of a broader discussion, that Armenian terrorist acts by groups such as ASALA were morally unjustifiable (as per international law) and that I am sorry that these acts happened.

Unfortunately, these few words were blown out of proportion, and the emphasis of my interview was lost; hence the need for this clarification. In the light of the subsequent distortions, I now regret having made these statements to the Turkish media and will be obviously more careful in future.

Responses, both positive and negative, that I have received from some Turks reveal that my

main points in the interview about the Armenian Genocide were not lost on the honest and thorough Turkish reader."(AGÜ)