Taner Akcam: democratic state cannot be built while denying Genocide

December 14, 2010 - 15:20 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net - Turkey continues with Armenian Genocide denial policy believing itself to be on the way to building a democratic state, Turkish historian, professor Taner Akcam stated.

“However, this cannot go on forever. I’m not the only one asking the government of my country to change attitude, by coming to terms with its past. Although it seems unrealistic at the moment, I still hope such a day will come,” the scholar said.

“If 1915 massacres should not be called Genocide, one might assume no genocides ever occurred in the world. Things should be called by their name, to help form a correct attitude. Acknowledging the past will help promote friendship, rather than animosity,” he stressed.