Presidency's Director of Communications Fahrettin Altun said, "Clearly, this step, which is nothing more than the politicisation and distortion of history, will significantly damage Türkiye-US relations. Türkiye has a rich history of diverse cultures coexisting in peace and tolerance, and we are proud of such history. Populist discourses that lack historical reality, such as the so-called 'genocide' allegations, are an attack on our culture of coexistence that we have meticulously built in these lands.These attacks, however, will not hurt our brotherhood; rather, they will reinforce our ties."
Director of Communications Altun visited the "Martyr Diplomats Exhibition" at Sirkeci Station, organised by the Presidency's Directorate of Communications in memory of Turkish diplomats martyred by Armenian terrorist organisations.
Speaking there, Altun reminded that the Martyr Diplomats Exhibition was opened in Los Angeles on April 24 and simultaneously at the Sirkeci Station.
Stating that the aim is to bring the attacks against the martyred diplomats to the attention of the world with a strong narrative and presentation while commemorating them through the exhibition, Altun said, "We believe it is necessary to inform the entire world accurately about the bloodiest systematic series of murders in human history committed by Armenian terrorist organisations in 16 countries. We believe that this is a courageous and hopeful act of solidarity on the part of the families of our martyrs and the representatives who work with passion despite encountering numerous threats abroad and our citizens who are devoted to their country."
Director of Communications Altun stated that it had a special meaning that one part of the exhibition, which commemorates Turkish diplomats martyred by Armenian terrorist organisations, especially ASALA, was held in Los Angeles; Los Angeles was the place of the duty of Consul General Mehmet Baydar and Consul Bahadır Demir, who were the first martyrs of the attacks of Armenian terrorists against Turkish diplomats, and continued as follows:
"Following this heart-breaking attack in 1973, our 58 citizens, 31 of whom were diplomats and their family members, as well as consular staff, were martyred in attacks carried out almost entirely in Western countries. We commemorate all our diplomats, family members, and citizens who were martyred with mercy, gratitude, and respect. We have not forgotten, we will not forget, and we will not allow it to be forgotten their courage and love for their homeland and flag, which they demonstrated by remaining in their duty place despite threats and attacks."
Noting that not only Turkish citizens but also dozens of civilians, including citizens of Azerbaijan, France, Sweden, and the United States, had died as a result of Armenian terrorist organisations' assassinations, armed attacks, and bombings, Altun said, "The attacks on our diplomats demonstrated unequivocally that Western countries were incapable of protecting the Turkish diplomats that they were obligated to protect. The majority of the killers evaded capture. The murders remained unsolved, and the terrorists apprehended did not face the due sentences."
"Our state and nation will always stand up to all focuses"
Expressing that from past to present, Türkiye had been exposed to all forms of terrorism from ASALA to PKK and from DAESH to FETO but had never bowed its knee, Director of Communications Altun stated the following:
"With the permission of Allah, those who have attempted to sway Türkiye through a variety of threats ranging from terrorism to sanctions have never succeeded and will never succeed. As a result of the terrorist organisation PKK's commands and the call of its political extensions, the October 6-8 events, when the bloody massacres targeting civilians, in particular, were experienced, are also a part of this attempt. Today, the perpetrators of these murders, which have international ramifications and serve the interests of terrorist organisations such as the PKK and DAESH, appear before the judge. So, it is the day of reckoning for murderers. Thank Allah, our faith in justice is unwavering. Our state and nation will always stand up to those seeking to divide Türkiye and undermine the state from inside. We will not refrain from fighting against terrorist organisations, global power centres, and coup mentalities for a moment. On this occasion, we commemorate Yasin Börü and all our martyrs and citizens who lost their lives in the attacks of terrorist organisations. Those who remain silent in the face of terrorist organisations and their supporters out of petty political considerations should understand that they also betray the values of democracy and human rights."
"Just to spite of those who attack our country with the lie of genocide, we will unite more tightly"
Expressing that it was hypocrisy and evil – in the mildest words – that those who remained silent against the Armenian terrorist organisations' murders and massacres targeting for Turkish citizens today, attempt to corner Türkiye with the so-called "Armenian genocide" lie, Altun continued:
"This rootless lie, slander, was intended deliberately to be fuelled for political calculations by the Armenian lobby and certain countries this year, as it was every year on April 24. We also regard US President Joe Biden's statement, which defines the events of 1915 as 'genocide' without historical, scientific, and legal justification, as unfortunate, inappropriate, and null and void, and we categorically reject it. I would like to emphasise that this illegitimate definition, which is known to be based on political considerations within the US, has no counterpart in international law. Clearly, this step, which is nothing more than the politicisation and distortion of history, will significantly damage Türkiye-US relations. Türkiye has a rich history of diverse cultures coexisting in peace and tolerance, and we are proud of such history. Populist discourses that lack historical reality, such as the so-called 'genocide' allegations, are an attack on our culture of coexistence that we have meticulously built in these lands. These attacks, however, will not hurt our brotherhood; rather, they will reinforce our ties. With all of its ethnic, religious, and cultural components, the Turkish nation is a whole, one, and unified. There has never been slavery, racism, discrimination, or genocide in our history. We do not have even a single citizen to serve as an appetiser at the imperialists' table. Just to spite those who attack our country with the lie of genocide, we will unite more tightly. Those who regard the slanders spread by a small group of lobbyists as 'history,' and therefore seek vengeance on the Turkish nation, will fall on their sword. We are fully confident in our actions."
Recalling that President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has repeatedly called on Armenia and other states to open their archives and offered the establishment of a joint commission of historians, Altun said, "However, those who are afraid of their lies being revealed have left these offers unanswered. While the Armenian diaspora treats those in Armenia with the utmost brutality and continues to poison younger generations with the stories they share, the Armenian diaspora lives comfortably in western countries."
Stressing that Türkiye has no grudge or enmity against any country, including Armenia, Altun added, "We want to emphasise that with the liberation of Azerbaijani lands from the occupation, a great step has been taken towards peace and stability in the Caucasus. The liberation of the Armenian people from the diaspora is a precondition for peace."
"We will continue to clarify ourselves more abroad, and speak relying on historical documents, data, events, evidence and truth"
Director of Communications Altun stated that it was a well-known fact that all Ottoman people - Turkish and Armenian - endured great hardship and pain during the First World War and made the following remarks:
"However, we should remember the sufferings with a fair memory and strive to highlight our culture of coexistence, which serves as an example for humanity. On this occasion, we reiterate our call to use our shared history as a springboard for peace and friendship rather than a source of animosity. As a matter of fact, Our President, in a message he sent to the Armenian Patriarch of Türkiye, Reverend Maşalyan on the occasion of April 24, stated once again that he remembered with respect the Ottoman Armenians who had lost their lives in the harsh conditions of the First World War and extended his condolences to their grandchildren. Our President, who is against the fact that the discussions that must be held by historians are politicised and turned into a tool of intervention into our country by the third parties, stated that we were ready to enhance our relations with Armenia based on good neighbourliness and mutual respect."
Noting that Sahak Maşalyan, the Armenian Patriarch of Türkiye, indicated two days ago in a statement he made on the occasion of April 24 that the messages of President Erdoğan were affirmative steps capable of laying the foundation for rapprochement in the future, Altun added that President Erdoğan's project for a Caucasian peace basin could bring the peace of the century, and made the following remarks:
"It is particularly worth noting that in this statement, Patriarch Reverend Maşalyan drew attention to the fact that the tensions caused by some countries' use of previous sufferings for daily political purposes did not contribute to the rapprochement between the two nations. Mr. Bedros Şirinoğlu, the Head of Armenian Foundations Union, emphasised in a statement he issued on the occasion of April 24 that they were opposed to the instrumentalisation of some tragic incidents in history by daily politics, and said that the political interventions made by the outside world were far from good intentions. While opposing the instrumentalisation and distortion of historical facts on political and ideological accounts, we, too, are working with all our strength to tell the truth to the whole world. With this in mind, in our Martyr Diplomats Exhibition, we are also portraying Türkiye's efforts to shed light on the events of 1915 and present the truths."
Expressing his satisfaction with the interest shown to the inauguration of the exhibition both in Los Angeles and at Istanbul Sirkeci Station, Altun concluded as follows:
"Our guests touring the exhibition, which took place in Los Angeles with the participation of diplomats and mission representatives from friendly and sister countries, displayed a profound sense of solidarity. As we observed the courtesy shown to our exhibition, we grasped the significance of delivering this crucial presentation to the whole world and combating black propaganda waged against our country in a stronger and united manner. We will continue to clarify ourselves more abroad and speak relying on historical documents, data, events, cases, evidence and truth, in doing so. I would also like to share the information that, as the Presidency's Directorate of Communications, we will circulate our Martyr Diplomats Exhibition around the entire globe along with the contributions of our business world, universities and non-governmental organisations. Under the leadership of Our President, through all our institutions, we will continue to make our nation's voice heard and narrate the righteous struggle of our country."
