Turkish reactions to Obama speech not conflicting

Responding to questions of lawmakers in the Parliament Monday, Davutoglu told reporters in Ankara that on the contrary, their reactions complemented each other.

The U.S. President each year issues a statement on April 24, on the incidents of 1915 - which is observed by Armenians around the world to commemorate the 1915 incidents. The Armenian lobby in the U.S. and around the world urges the U.S. President to regard the incidents of 1915 - which took place shortly before the fall of the Ottoman Empire - as genocide.

Turkey strongly rejects the genocide allegations and regards the events as civil strife in wartime which claimed lives of many Turks and Armenians.

In his statement, on Saturday, April 24, Obama, used the Armenian expression "Meds Yeghern" (meaning "great tragedy" in English) while describing the incidents of 1915, just like he did in a similar statement last year. Obama said what happened in 1915 was "one of the worst atrocities" of the 20th century.

Erdogan said on Saturday that Obama's statement showed he was sensitive about Turkey's concerns, welcoming Obama's avoidance to use the word "genocide".

The Turkish Foreign Ministry issued a statement Saturday, criticising Obama's message.

The Ministry said, "we deeply regret this statement which reflects an incorrect and one-sided political perception."

Davutoglu also criticised Obama's message saying it was not right and acceptable.

Some columnists raised criticism about Erdogan and Davutoglu's reactions to Obama's message, arguing that they were contradicting each other.

Davutoglu said Premier Erdogan did not express happiness over the use of "great tragedy" words by Obama saying that Erdogan only welcomed the avoidance to use "the genocide" as was expected by the Armenian circles.

Davutoglu said these circles expected tension in Turkey-American relations and the break up of the rapprochement between Turkey and Armenia. He said these circles also expected Turkey would make concessions under pressure, and out of fear of the use of "that word" (genocide), noting that they waited in vain. He said Erdogan's remarks showed the world once again that Turkey would not make concessions under pressure.


/World Bulletin/