British historian of Armenian origin Ara Sarafyan backed away from a planned initiative for joint studies on the Armenian Genocide initiated by President of the Turkish History Association, Professor Yusuf Halacoglu. Halacoglu said, in his letter the Armenian historian noted, "I am watching the developments from the Turkish media. I am sorry that we'll not be able to move ahead with the joint project." Turkish Daily News reported Halacoglu showed the press a copy of Turkish-Armenian newspaper "Agos", which published an article about Armenian Diaspora reactions to Sarafyan's consent. The Turkish historian also said mass graves claimed to belong to Armenians and Assyrians in Mardin would start to be opened on April 24, the commemoration day of the Armenian Genocide.