SYDNEY—Barry O’Farrell, Premier of New South Wales, is embroiled in a diplomatic row with Turkey that could potentially impact 2015′s Anzac centenary commemorations following calls by the speaker of the Turkish government for the NSW Premier to renounce a motion condemning Turkey for the genocide of Armenians, The Telegraph reports.
O’Farrell lashed back last night, saying “it’s deplorable anyone associated with the Turkish government would try and use [the] centenary of the Gallipoli landing for political purposes.”
Turkish Grand National Assembly Speaker Cemil Cicek, who holds the country’s second highest office, said members of parliament should confine themselves to issues involving their own communities.
In May this year, Premier O’Farrell moved a motion in state parliament reaffirming a 1997 motion that “recognized and condemned the genocide of the Armenians by the then-Ottoman government between 1915 and 1922″, and designated 24 April of every year thereafter as a day of remembrance of the 1.5 million Armenians who fell victim to “the first genocide of the twentieth century”.
He did so after lobbying from Christian Democrat Member of Parliament Fred Nile, whose vote is crucial to the government in the upper house and who moved a similar motion in the upper house after meeting with Armenian leaders.
O’Farrell’s closest confidant in cabinet, Transport Minister Gladys Berejiklian, is of Armenian heritage, as is the federal Treasurer, Joe Hockey.
Speaking through an interpreter during an interview in his offices in Ankara, Cicek said: “Parliaments should not be a place for shortsighted or political interest groups to raise matters which relate to history.”
Cicek said the right people to be discussing such matter were historians.
“If historians were to come together … and come out with a conclusion in favor of the Armenians and say, ‘Turks, you’ve done wrong’, as a country we are happy to accept that.”
Cicek said he could “go to parliament and put forward a motion condemning Australia for sending out the fleet to fight on the shores of Gallipoli … but that is not going to be good for Australia-Turkey relations.
“It can cause a huge rift between the two countries and jeopardize even the Anzac commemoration activities here in Turkey as well.”
Asked if he was calling on the Premier to withdraw the motion, Cicek said: “Naturally, I would like it to be withdrawn.”
Asked about Turkey’s threat to ban NSW parliamentarians who proposed the motion coming to Anzac commemorations in 2015, Cicek said: “That is the case.”
“Parliamentarians should be looking at matters that are of interest to their own communities, not looking at matters that are abroad.”
Turkey, just shut up. Seriously, the country has 0 legitimacy and even that is more than the number I would give regarding their morals.
Cemil Cicek, another Mongol Mutt, has truly spoken like a pimp much like the rest of the Turkish clowns: Do as I say or I will take away your privileges.
Apparently, it is OK for him and his fascist government to meddle in the Armenian-Azergayjani business but it is not OK when others, and rightfully so, express their views on the preplanned and state-sponsored genocide of the indigenous Armenians in the Turkish-occupied Western Armenia.
If, according to this Turkish weasel, and I quote “Parliamentarians should be looking at matters that are of interest to their own communities, not looking at matters that are abroad”, then he should mind his own business instead of getting involved in Armenian and Azergayjani affairs and instead get himself busy with 7th century “head scarf” issues in 2013 in his own parliament instead.
I would love to target practice on his ugly Turkish Mongol face.
Well said brother,
It is not a historical issue, the history is in… genocide and nothing less only the perps deny. The issue is political because there are real world solutions for the commission of genocide. The Wilsonian Arbitral Award is still legal and enforceable.
As to target practice, tell him it’s snowing.
GOD Bless the Australians for having the courage to stand up for their beliefs and not be intimidated by the bullying practices of the Turks.
No money in the world could equate to everlasting joy of doing the right things in life.
We need leaders of the world to set examples of “what good looks like”, taking a stand to protect our values and giving hope to our children and fellow citizens of the world to believe that good can prevail.
I am so proud of Barry O’Farrell for his leadership in reinstating our faith in goodness and his courage for fighting off temptations of the evil.
When I looked at Cicik photo …I thought he is Armenian…He never look Turkish …
Let him do his DNA before protecting his savage race…and his criminal ancestors…
That is similarly wrong for turkey’s government, although stated as a nation isn’t internationally recogniEd because I don’t recognize it. And for them to now condemn Australian politians who aren’t so proven angels but still on track with genocide bill is just shameful thought, but if they historians why not just draw a conclusion from wat the history books which state the Armenian genocide did happen with pics and messages between various nations including turkey n Germany n England n Armenia! So please if u sit there one second don’t exist if u can’t drown yurself in actually history to call for historians mr Cicek.
….“If historians were to come together … and come out with a conclusion in favor of the Armenians and say, ‘Turks, you’ve done wrong’, as a country we are happy to accept that.”… MR. CICEK: HISTORIANS CAN BE BOUGHT AND SOLD, Armenian’s don’t have money to buy historians.
Sit back and watch how the Australians will slink from their position. Time and time it is the usual story. It is incongrous to think that Aussies, the English and NZ want to celebrate the Gallipoli fiasco. What is there to celebrate. The ANZAC lost the battle and had to beat up an ignominious retreat. So now , they will travel to turkey to celebrate , lionize the genocidist Ataturk ,and eulogize their abject defeat as a magnanimous historical feat.
Turks, yesterday and today, still the same animals.
From his remarks(Cecek) you can see what sort of coward is the Turkish Government.
Speaking through an interpreter during an interview in his offices in Ankara, Cicek said: “Parliaments should not be a place for short-sighted or political interest groups to raise matters which relate to history.”
This is odd. Armenians are part of the NSW community and the recognition of the genocide of Armenians is of interest to the Armenians.
Cecek, you have no idea about about your past history.
I agree, you should not coment on things you do not undrstand.
Look, check out 1915 the Armenian Genocide film, which details the failed Gallipoli landing of the Allies; in the film evidence points to the facts that entire German brigades dressed in Turkish uniforms fought alongside the Turks at Gallipoli, and for every 8 Turkish soldiers there was a German advisor; also German general Sanders fortifications of the Dardanelles with heavy naval guns secured the survival of Turkey for another 3 years and sealed the fate of the 2 million Armenians that will die during the Genocide….The only victory the Turkish army scored was against defenseless Armenian populations…
What is interesting with Turkish attitudes is that they are more hostile towards us today than were they, say, at the time before the genocide. Or should I say, they are more OPENLY hostile today. You see, many elements of the CUP, including Talaat himself, were flirting with Armenians and condemning the Hamidian massacres in order to fool them. In other words, the CUP was more flexible than the Turks of today who will not back one inch and condemn the 1915 genocide in order to fool Armenians of our days. Perhaps we should be thankful to that?
Firstly, Grandson of Jemal Pasha, one of the perpatrators of the Armenian genocide categorically states that Turkey must APPOLOGIZE to the Armenians in Armenian and in the diaspora.
Secondly Australia was highly invloved in humanitarian efforts during the aftermatrh of the Armenian Genoicde in 1915 and in no way can this section of historical fabric be unwoven from or nations history.
Cemil Cecek you have no idea what you are talking about and you have no clue about your nations black history