Your article (Anzacs witnessed the Armenian genocide – that shouldn’t be forgotten in our mythologising, 23 April) attempts to establish an incomprehensible connection between Anzac Day and so-called “genocide” allegations, which distorts history and empoisons the spirit of Gallipoli, a source of pride not only for Turkey but also for Australia and New Zealand.
Shared tragedies create an unprecedented mutual understanding on both sides of the conflict, and subsequent events have shown how shared sufferings can be turned into lasting peace and remarkable friendship, remembered each year at Anzac Cove.
Following the centenary of the end of the first world war, at a time when the world needs the message of amity and universal tolerance more than ever, I believe it would have been wiser to reiterate, if not amplify, this message of peace that Gallipoli has come to symbolise, rather than polluting it with partisan and contentious allegations.
Ümit Yalçın
Turkish ambassador to the UK
