VIENNA—Turkey recalled its Ambassador to Vienna after Austrian lawmakers recognized the Armenian Genocide, Today’s Zaman reports.
Earlier this week, leaders of Austria’s six major parties issued a statement declaring that Austria, as a former ally of the Ottoman Empire, had a “duty to recognize and condemn these horrific events as genocide.”
They also called on Turkey to take responsibility for its role in the mass murders.
“It is Turkey’s duty to face the dark and painful chapter of its past and recognize the crimes committed against Armenians under the Ottoman Empire as genocide,” the statement said.
The Turkish Foreign Ministry recalled Turkey’s Ambassador to Vienna Mehmet Hasan Göğüş to Ankara for consultations after the Austrian Parliament’s decision.
The recognition comes amidst possibility that Germany might recognize the killings as genocide as well. A parliamentary motion to label the 1915 mass killings of Ottoman Armenians as “genocide,” is to be debated by German lawmakers this Friday.
“It should be known that Turkey and the Turkish nation will not forget this slander uttered against their history,” Turkey‘s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, adding that the decision “will leave permanent stains on the Turkish-Austrian friendship.”
Austrian Foreign Minister Sebastian Kurz on Thursday rejected harsh criticism from Turkey.
“The declaration of the Austrian Parliament is to be respected,” said Kurz. “Now it is appropriate to look towards the future and work towards reconciliation between Turks and Armenians.”
The Austrian Parliament stopped short of adopting a formal resolution, but six parliamentary parties joined in the declaration.
“Because of the historical responsibility – the Austrian-Hungarian monarchy was allied to the Ottoman Empire – it is our duty to recognize and condemn the horrible events as genocide,” it said.
“Turkey must bring light into the dark of history in order to reappraise this issue in a transparent manner,” the Austrian statement said.
Turkey has also recalled its ambassador to the Vatican after Pope Francis last week said the Armenians were victims of “the first genocide of the 20th century.”
I hope the Turkish ambassador stays in his homeland, Turkey or Mongolia. Nobody needs a Turkish ambassador in his or her territory. The Turkish Government is a supporter of ISIS.
Good. The hell with Turkey and shame on Obama.
Let them recall all their ambassadors! How many are they going to recall? All of them? What are they going to do, cut trade and diplomatic trade with the wealthiest countries in the world ? This is all the usual Turkish BS, 1) recall ambassador 2) make scathing remark about the country that recognized the AG in hopes of stirring up regret 3) realize no one gives a $hit if you recall you ambassador 4) come slithering back to maintain ties.
By now no country should worry about these antics, it’s all smoke and mirrors to try and stir up regret. The truth must prevail.
Turkey can and must recall all of her ambassadors from all the countries all over the world. Whom is she threatening? This barbarian Genocidal and blood thirsty Turkey has no place in this world. Enough of this warning and bullying around. Who the hell she thinks she is? Go to hell Erdogan and all of your kinds. Go to hell all Genocide deniers.
Turkey can and must recall all of her ambassadors from all the countries all over the world. Whom is she threatening? This barbarian Genocidal and blood thirsty Turkey has no place in this world. Enough of this warning and bullying around. Who the hell she thinks she is? Go to hell Erdogan and all of your kinds. Go to hell all Genocide deniers.
Who cares! Who cares about Turkey!
Let them keep recalling their ambassadors, the time will come when the amssadorial post will be redundant. Hi wonder why the recoiled from withdrawing their ambassadors fo Russia, Sfrance or Germany. It is pathetic cretinism the attitude of the USA, and Britain in this matter. It is understandable since these two countries are guilty of their complicity in the negationism policies throughout a whole century. A huge reparation bill awaits the Turks, the USA and England and others which are economically supportive of Turkey will have to fund these bills.