Documentary series to shed light on events of 1915

By Yasemin Kalyoncuoglu

ANKARA (AA) - A recently filmed documentary series reveals the false propaganda of the Armenian diaspora about the events of 1915 during the Ottoman era, a senior Turkish historian said Thursday.

We have prepared a fact-based documentary series which summarizes the subject very well," Refik Turan, head of Turkish Historical Society, said on the seven-part documentary titled "The Armenian Revolt".

Turan underlined that the series would shed light on the issue of 1915 and reveals that the Armenian diaspora’s use of "fake and distorted documents" over the last century in its fallacious propaganda activities.

"The documentary series details the formation of separatist Armenian organizations and their transformation into internal security problems in the Ottoman [Empire] through the support of various international actors," he said.

Citing recent decisions by a number of countries including France, Italy and the Netherlands recognizing and commemorating the events in question as a so-called "genocide", Turan stressed that international attention was increasing on the issue which was of great pertinence to Turkey.

The series will be broadcast in English, German, French and Spanish.

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.

Turkey objects to the presentation of the incidents as "genocide" but describes the 1915 events as a tragedy in which both sides suffered casualties.

Ankara has repeatedly proposed the creation of a joint commission of historians from Turkey and Armenia plus international experts to tackle the issue.

*Writing by Erdogan Cagatay Zontur