ISTANBUL (Marmara)—An influential Kurdish leader in Turkey, in an interview published on Sunday, acknowledged the Kurds’ role in the Armenian Genocide and apologized to the Armenians on behalf of the Kurdish people.
Turkish parliament member and the vice-president of the pro-Kurdish Democratic Society Congress Ahmet Turk said that in 1915 the Kurdish people had a large role in the torture and massacre of Armenians, Assyrians and Yezidis and, he as a Kurd, apologized to the Armenian people on behalf of all Kurds.
In the interview, Turk, who is also a mediator of talks between the Turkish government and Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) imprisoned leader Abdullah Ocalan, urged Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan to follow suit and recognize the Genocide.
He explained that the Kurdish population was used to commit the crimes against Armenians in 1915.
“Our grandfathers and fathers were used in the injustices perpetrated against Armenians, Assyrians and Yezidis. There’s blood on their hands. With the blood of these peoples they bloodied their own hands. Thus, as their children and grandchildren, we apologize,” said Turk.
“We, as Kurds, say that we did commit these crimes, but we committed them against our will,” added Turk.
“The Turkish government, instead of denying it, must also . . .
apologize… There is a need for fundamental change here,” said Turk.
On a related note, the owner of one of the largest corporations in Turkey Itzak Alaton urged the Turkish Socio-Economic Research Center to pursue the Turkish recognition of the Armenian Genocide.
“April 24, 1915 is around the corner. Let’s change our denialist policies. I am tired of the fear to face our past. Let’s raise our voices to our deputies in Ankara and those deputies should raise their voices to their political parties and leader in order for us to open our skeleton-filled closets,” said Alaton, who runs the Alarco Corporation in Turkey.
February 4th, 2013
11 Comments
for “Kurdish Leader Apologizes for Role in Genocide”
Hratch says:
February 4, 2013
It might be unraveling, but justice and compensation does not seem any closer. Recognition might just be the price Turkey is willing to pay as a trade off against any compensation.
danoog says:
February 4, 2013
This is huge. The ball is rolling in the court of public opinion.
Sona simonian says:
February 4, 2013
What a heroic gentelman! I hope nothing blocks his way and he can achieve for what he believes in and after all peace prevails. Cordially Sona simonian
hagop hagopian says:
February 4, 2013
Itzak Alaton, the name sounds so turkish reminds me of mustafa, enver, talat and jemal.
M.S.K. says:
February 4, 2013
Eventually Turks will have no other alternative but to adhere to the Armenians claims: Recognition of Genocide, compensation for 1.1/2 million Armenians massacred by Ottoman and returning the Armenian properties confiscated by Turks.
omar says:
February 4, 2013
tell the truth, even falling on your shoulders.you will be free for ever.
Berge Jololian says:
February 4, 2013
Genocide Acknowledgment without Accountability is hollow and meaningless. An apology or acknowledgment must be accompanied with accountability – otherwise it is worse than denial.
Kurds claim lands of Western Armenia as their own (that is territories of the first republic 1918-1920 – Mt. Ararat, kars, Ani, Ardahan, Artvin, Erzurum, even Etchmiadzin.
Genocide Acknowledgment with Accountability. Accountability means land, reparation and restitution. A good example of land recovery is Artzakh.
Hrant K. says:
February 4, 2013
it’s a good, courageous start! My wish is, that it won’t turn into a manoeuver by
Ankara to soften the strong tide of the upcoming April 24 Historic and Pay Back
Significance!!
Raffi Bairamian says:
February 5, 2013
Mr Ahmet Turk is a brave turkish leader who is apologizing from the Armenian People for the crimes against the Armenians done by the forefathers of the kurds during the Armenian Genocide.And I am sure that there are several courageous leaders in Turkey who think like him .But unfortunately the turkish genocidal and denialist regime is trying to oppress these brave opinion leaders and trying to spread an Anti-Armenian culture among its population & the reason for this is the fear of facing its past.
These coward denialist turks MUST know that soon their dirty game will be over and we will return to our forefathers lands and properties , our beloved ” Western Armenia “
Líder curdo se desculpa por papel de seu povo no genocídio - Portal Estação Armênia says:
February 5, 2013
[...] Via Asbarez [...]
Arn.Sweden. says:
February 5, 2013
Are You then prepered as a recompence,
to sacrifise yourself and Kurdistan,
in accordande with Armenian National interessts ?
Bouth Kurdistans and Armenias National interessts are the same.
Arn.Sweden.
Reply at http://asbarez.com
source
Reply by Sukru Server Aya
Direct link to the document by Sukru Aya
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