ANKARA - ''Nobody can declare persons who are not even alive today as genocide criminals, without legal grounds'' said The Group of Retired Ambassadors. The group made today a declaration against demands asking that Turkey should recognition of so-called genocide of Ottoman Armenians in 1915. Retired Ambassador and Chairman of Armenian Researches Institute of Eurasia Strategic Researches Center Omer Engin Lutem, Retired Ambassador and Deputy Chairman of UNESCO Turkish National Committee Polat Tacar and retired Ambassadors Kaya Toperi and Yuksel Soylemez held a news conference to issue the declaration.
Toperi said, ''we are the most unjustly treated group since 34 Turkish diplomats were massacred by Armenians.''
Tacar, reading the declaration, said, ''according to the 'UN Convention of the Prevention & Punishment of the Crime of Genocide', genocide can only be committed by real persons and only a competent tribunal can determine whether this crime is committed or not.''
''No national parliament, no national senate, local or municipal council, no individual or association, none of the organs of an international or regional organizations or an undesignated court, 'in lieu' of a competent court, can have the power to decide on a genocide claim, on whether the crime has been committed or not. UN Genocide Convention is the indivisible part of Turkish legal system. No party or persons should expect Turkish government to disregard this international convention and without resort to a competent court decision, to label certain persons with the crime of genocide, many of whom may not be alive any longer,'' said the declaration.
The declaration stated, ''It is not realistic to expect from the surviving relatives of the tragedy of 1915 or what has taken place in the beginning of the 20th century, to accept that nothing has happened. These events can in no way be defended. However, it would be impious to forego some while mourning others. We believe that these deep wounds created by these sad events should not be rubbed in and deepen the wounds by acts of terror and be provoked by feelings of revenge.''
''What has to be done now is to take lesson from these sad events in history and not to provoke again the feelings of hate which prevent peace between Turks and Armenians, but to start with steps forward, to strengthen the friendship between the Armenian and Turkish nations. There is no doubt that Turkish Armenians can play a part in the building and strengthening of this bridge of friendship,'' noted the declaration.
Upon questions of reporters, Toperi said, ''a massacre has been mentioned but the number of murdered Muslims are more than Armenians who died during incidents.''
Lutem said, ''all of the decisions about so-called Armenian genocide were taken at parliaments of several countries and international organizations, but governments did not take any decisions. These decisions do not have any legal consequences. They are political decisions. However, these parliaments may reject when Turkey's EU membership has presented to them.''
Meanwhile, Soylemez said, ''Armenian issue was considered 'non-existent' for long years in Turkey. It is suggested that historians shall discuss the issue but Armenian historians do not accept theses other than their own theses.''