Cablegate: Turkey Issues Statement Against Iran's Holocaust

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P 181354Z DEC 06
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UNCLAS ANKARA 006683

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV IR TU
SUBJECT: TURKEY ISSUES STATEMENT AGAINST IRAN'S HOLOCAUST
CONFERENCE

1. (U) Regarding the Tehran conference "Genocide of Jews:
Global Perspectives," the Turkish MFA issued a statement
December 15 that the Holocaust suffered by the Jews during
World War II is an historical fact, and it finds attempts to
question this historical fact to be "indecent." This
statement referred to a previous statement MFA made in
December 2005 in response to a press question. Full text of
December 15, 2006 statement is in para 2. Full text of
December 9, 2005 statement is in para 3.

2. (U) Informal Embassy translation of MFA statement made on
December 15, 2006:

Begin text:

We fully hold to the opinions expressed in the Ministerial
statement of December 9, 2005 regarding the conference on
"Genocide of Jews: Global Perspectives," held in Tehran on
December 11-12, 2006. In said statement, we clearly say that
the "Holocaust" suffered by Jews in World War II is an
historical fact that has tarnished the conscience of the
world and that this crime committed against humanity has also
been established by international law.

We are agitated and upset by these attempts to question this
historical fact and find them to be indecent.

End text.

3. (U) Informal Embassy translation of MFA statement made on
December 9, 2005:

Begin text:

QA 52: December 9, 2005, Foreign Ministry Spokesman Mr. Namik
Tan's reply to a question concerning a statement by Iranian
President Ahmedinejad about the Jews:

Today, international dialogue plays a significant role in
promoting and developing friendships and understanding.
Especially in a world full of these kinds of problems, such
dialogue emerges as a vital requirement. It is not possible
to approve of such confrontational statements at a time when
we most need dialogue, cooperation and compromise. Such
statements are not in the interest of anyone, either its
author or anyone else. They can only add to the instability
and crisis of confidence.

The genocide (Holocaust) committed against the Jews is a
historical fact, a stain on the conscience of humanity. This
crime against humanity has also been established by
international law. As a matter of fact, our country helped
those escaping from the Nazi persecution and provided shelter
for them. Lastly, Turkey accepted the relevant resolution of
the UN General Assembly.

Everyone's priority should be to solve existing problems and
to prevent new ones and disasters.

End text.

Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/ankara/

WILSON

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