Earlier Today, the Turkish Parliament hit back at the U.S. Senate by approving a declaration rejecting the U.S. Senate’s resolution recognizing the 1915 Armenian Genocide
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“As the Turkish Grand National Assembly, we strongly condemn and reject the U.S. Senate-approved decision on the so-called Armenian genocide which distorts historical facts and flouts the fundamental rules of international law,” said a joint declaration by parliament. “The decision, which lacks any legal value … is part of a dirty game,” said the declaration. Parliament called on historians to accurately inform the public about the events in question, adding that Turkey has opened up its rich archives for all researchers, including Armenians.
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“The decision of the U.S. Senate is null and void in terms of history and law as well as our esteemed nation and the global community,” it added.
Turkey’s position on the events of 1915 is that the deaths of Armenians in eastern Anatolia took place when some sided with invading Russians and revolted against Ottoman forces. A subsequent relocation of Armenians resulted in numerous casualties.
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Turkey’s Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu also lashed out at U.S. for the Senate recognition of the Armenian Genocide, describing it as a “political show.” The Turkish Foreign Ministry also issued a statement condemning the U.S. move, saying the U.S. resolution was one of the shameful examples of how history can be politicized. The ministry said the move was a destructive attempt aimed at damaging efforts on the development of relations between Ankara and Washington.
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The Turkish Foreign Ministry summoned its U.S. Ambassador amid the resolution on recognition of the Armenian Genocide adopted by the US Senate.
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H/T Public Radio of Armenia & Anadolu Agency