BILGESAM: Turkey is in a deadlock over the issue of Armenian Genocide

PanARMENIAN.Net - BİLGESAM's report on Turkey's current situation and future challenges was made public by retired Ambassador İlter Türkmen. The Wise Men Center for Strategic Studies (BİLGESAM), a think tank formed by retired soldiers, ambassadors and academics, called for the preparation of a new civilian constitution and enactment of judicial reforms to overcome future challenges in a report made public.



BİLGESAM said Turkey is in a deadlock over the issue of the Armenian Genocide, with Armenians insistent on their claims that the 1915 killings of Anatolian Armenians by Ottoman Turks constituted genocide.



"The parliaments of 17 countries have recognized Armenian genocide resolutions. US President Barack Obama referred to the killings of Armenians as genocide during the 2008 election campaign and promised the Armenian lobby that he would recognize their claims. ... As it is not possible for Turkey to recognize the Armenian genocide claims, the best thing that can be done at the moment is to create an environment in which the problem can be pushed to the back burner over time," read the report.



The report also stressed that President Abdullah Gül's visit to Yerevan last year contributed a great deal to the improvement of ties between Turkey and Armenia. Gül visited Yerevan in September of last year to watch the World Cup qualifying match between the national teams of the two countries, which observers have said was a turning point for the settlement of longstanding disputes between the two neighbors, Today's Zaman reports.