Turkish Press Review
Turkish dailies on Thursday are covering Turkish PM's paying tribute to Armenians who died in 1915.
ISTANBUL
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All Turkish dailies on Thursday covered Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's speech addressing the anniversary of the events of 1915, which led to an unknown number of people dying in civil strife after the Ottoman Empire approved a deportation law for Armenians on April 24, 1915.
Erdogan extended his condolences to the grandchildren of the Armenian Ottoman victims of the events of 1915, as well as mentioning other Ottoman citizens.
"Regardless of their ethnic or religious origins, we pay tribute with compassion and respect to all Ottoman citizens who lost their lives in the events of 1915," Erdogan said on Wednesday.
Daily HURRIYET runs with the headline "Historic message in 9 languages" saying it is the first time in Turkish history that a Turkish PM has shared the pain of Armenians. Erdogan's written message was published in 9 languages, including Armenian, English, French, German, Spanish, Turkish, Arabic and Russian.
"1915 is our shared pain" ran the headline of daily TURKIYE, quoting what they describe as Turkish PM Erdogan's 'historic message'. The paper says the message offers an olive branch to the Armenians.
Daily VATAN covers the issue under the title "Historic condolences" and gives samples of headlines from world press expressing their surprise at Erdogan's message. The daily also cites U.S. State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki as saying, “We welcome PM Erdogan's historic public acknowledgement of the suffering that Armenians experienced in 1915."
Daily STAR headlines "The bravest condolence" quoting Erdogan as saying, "Armenians who lost their lives in the events in the early 20th century rest in peace, and we convey our condolences to their grandchildren."
"First condolences to 1915" is how daily HABER TURK covered the message, pointing out the historic nature of Turkey's first condolence message to Armenians for the events of 1915.
"It is a historic and exciting message which alleviates our pains," daily RADIKAL quotes Armenian Deputy of Patriarch Aram Atesyan as responding to Erdogan's message.
Most Turkish dailies also covered the celebrations of Turkey's April 23rd National Sovereignty and Children's Day throughout Turkey, including colorful ceremonies at primary schools to mark the 94th anniversary of the holiday began by Turkey's founder and first President Mustafa Kemal Ataturk. Daily newspaper around Turkey covered the happiness and excitement of children enjoying the days' celebrations.
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