Blessings for Turkey in the Recognition of the Armenian Genocide AN ADVERTISEMENT "You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free" One by one, the democratic nations are facing the errors of their past. As Turkey moves forward towards a closer relationship with the nations of Europe, we encourage the Turkish government to embrace a new transparency which will signify an important step in establishing a new human rights records, an essential condition of this closer relationship. We encourage the governments of Great Britain and the United States to assist Turkey in this important stage in its relations with the Western nations by following the example of such countries as France, Italy, Belgium, Russia and Sweden, as well as twenty six American States, in acknowledging that the character of the events in 1915 justify the qualification of genocide. This will also give Turkey the opportunity to honor those of its citizens who, like the "righteous gentiles" during the Jewish Holocaust, made gestures of support and sacrifice to stand against the misguided policies of the government of the time, and to protect and defend the Armenian people in their dark hour. It will then be possible also to honor such courageous Turks of today as Dr. Taner Akcam (see The Independent, London, March 7, 2001) and others like him who love their country and people enough to call them to live by the highest standards of justice and truth.
The Most Reverend and Right Honourable Dr. George Carey, Archbishop of
Canterbury Baroness Caroline Cox, House of Lords The Most Reverend Dr Rowan
Williams, Archbishop of Wales The Right Reverend Jeffrey Rowthorn, Bishop in
charge of the |