Turkey condemns proposal in Italy over 1915 events

By Mehmet Tosun

ANKARA (AA) - Turkey on Wednesday condemned a proposal in Italian parliament to declare the 1915 events as “genocide”.

Speaking to media, Omer Celik, spokesman for the ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party, said Italy is being tricked by Armenian diaspora, which in no way wants normal relations between Turkey and Armenia.

The proposal is expected to be voted on today, according to the Italian press.

Turkey's position is that the deaths of Armenians in eastern Anatolia in 1915 took place when some sided with invading Russians and revolted against Ottoman forces. A subsequent relocation of Armenians resulted in numerous casualties.

Ankara does not accept the alleged genocide, but acknowledges that there were casualties on both sides during the events of World War I.

Turkey objects to the presentation of the incidents as "genocide" but describes the 1915 events as a tragedy for both sides.

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