Afghan Politicians Condemn 'Genocide' Allegations

A group of Afghan lawmakers on Saturday condemned Armenian allegations over the incidents of 1915 in the Ottoman Empire.



Around 20 lawmakers and senate members gathered in the Karte Char region to show their opposition to any kind of pressure on Turkey. 



"We, as Afghan Muslims, rallied to show our support for the Turkish people and are asking for the assessment of Armenian claims according to international principles," Nazir Ahmad Ahmadzai, the second deputy speaker of the lower house of parliament, said.



Sayeed Sadat, an Afghan lawmaker, said the Armenian claims were just a lie used as a means of pressure against Turkey. 



"We condemn and do not confirm these claims," said Sadat. 



Anarkeli Hunerya, a member of the senate, said that Turkey provided "key" assistance to Afghanistan in the fields of education, health and the military. 



"The Afghan people will always take Turkey's side," Hunerya said.  



Earlier on Friday, scores of Afghans rallied in various parts of Kabul and protested the Armenian claims.



The 1915 events took place during World War I when a portion of the Armenian population living in the Ottoman Empire sided with the invading Russians and revolted.



The relocation of Armenians by the Ottomans in eastern Anatolia following the revolts resulted in numerous casualties. Turkey does not dispute that there were casualties on both sides, but rejects calling the events "genocide."



Turkey has called for the establishment of a joint commission of historians and the opening of archives to study and uncover what happened between the Ottoman Empire and its Armenian citizens.



www.aa.com.tr/en - Ankara