Denial attack from Ankara Metropolitan Municipality

The decision was announced on the web site of the Municipality with the words, “An attack to distribute publications in 2015 in order to reveal historical truths on the Armenian Question and to develop the historical awareness of students”.

At the meeting during which the decision was taken, the reason to accept this activity was explained with the words, “2015 is a year when the Armenian Question is on national and international agendas in broad dimensions, so we aim to develop the historical awareness especially of students, and to promote Turkish culture and history”. According to the decision of the council, the publications to be purchased by the municipality include the ‘Armenian Question’ brochures published by Yeni Türkiye Yayınları [New Turkey Publications], the ‘Armenian Question Anthology’ of the Yeni Türkiye [New Turkey] magazine, and the books titled ‘Osmanlı Projesi [The Ottoman Project]’, ‘Türkler [Turks]’ and the English-language ‘The Turks’. The publications will be distributed free of charge to schools, research centres, associations, foundations and lecturers, teachers, students and local and foreign guests.

An official from the Ankara Metropolitan Municipality Press and Public Relations Department, speaking to Agos, said that although the decision had been taken, it was not clear whether it would implemented. The same official added that even if the project were implemented, it would not be malevolent or wrong. An official from Yeni Türkiye Yayınları [New Turkey Publications] said they had received no information on the development as of yet.