Turkish Scholars Seek to Engage Armenian Counterparts in Historical Debate

As Turkey prepares for what promises to be a lengthy European Union accession process, officials in Ankara are striving to remove obstacles that stand in the way of their integration ambitions. Accordingly, authorities appear to be welcoming a research project by Turkish historians designed to shed additional light on the circumstances surrounding the deaths of an estimated 1.5 million Armenians from 1915-1923.

Armenian leaders have campaigned for international recognition of what they insist was genocide committed by Turkish forces amid the chaos of the collapse of the Ottoman Empire. Yerevan's calls have received support in the capitals of some influential EU capitals, in particular France, which has a sizeable Armenian émigré population.

In early January, the Turkish Historical Society – a semi-official institution founded in the beginning of the 1930s – announced that it had finished a large research project commenced in 2001. The result of the historical exploration is four volumes of documents in which "the allegations made by Armenians are answered one by one," according to a Turkish journalist familiar with the research. The project marks the first comprehensive attempt by Turkish scholars to challenge the Armenian version of the tragic events of the past.

Armenian officials and historians assert that the Young Turk government in power in Istanbul in 1915 ordered the systematic slaughter of Armenians. Turkish leaders have insisted the mass deaths of Armenians did not constitute genocide, alleging that Armenians were largely victims of a vicious partisan struggle during and after World War I.

The authors of the recent four-volume study appear to endorse the mainstream Turkish view of events. They also advocate the continuation of research, calling for a multi-national inquiry into the events. Professor Yusuf Halacoglu, head of the Turkish Historical Society, said in a January 12 interview with the Reuters news agency that the commission should comprise scholars from Turkey, Armenia, the United States, France and Britain.

Turkey is due to start EU accession negotiations on October 3, while on April 24 Armenians throughout the world will mark the 90th anniversary of what they call the "first genocide of the 20th century." Many Turkish officials and experts believe Yerevan may attempt to engage Ankara in a "battle over history." According to Turkish media reports, commemoration activities will include conferences, meetings, exhibitions and new publication projects. A few Turkish commentators are urging the Turkish government to adopt a more pro-active stance in the ongoing debate. "Saying