The ANZAC Troops (Australia-New Zealand Army Corps) disembarked onto the shores of Çanakkkale on April 25, 1915 in a bid to destroy Turkish artillery units, but were defeated in bloody combat that continued until December 1915. Ever since, Australians and New Zealanders have commemorated the Battle of Gallipoli on April 25, on the date of the first landing, and on Aug 6 to Aug 10, the second landing of the ANZAC troops.
Marking the 100th anniversary of the battle for Turkey, Australia and New Zealand, the Turkish government is set to organize ceremonies with the participation of 8,500 Australians and 2,000 New Zealanders. The U.K.’s Prince Charles and his two sons, and the prime ministers of Australia and New Zealand, are expected to take part in commemorations.
A day before the April 24 ceremonies in Çanakkale, the government is planning to host a reception and a “Summit of Peace” in Istanbul on April 23, the day when Turkey marks the 95th anniversary of the foundation of the Turkish Parliament.
Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu has signed invitation letters to his counterparts, while President Erdoğan has sent letters to the heads of state, accompanied by the message, “We would be delighted to have you with us on the 100th anniversary commemorations of the Battle of Gallipoli.”
Speaking to daily Hürriyet, a government official recalled that along with the many other ethnic groups who fought in the ranks of the Ottoman military, the Armenians also fought at Gallipoli. “We fought together in Gallipoli. That’s why we have extended the invitation to Sargsyan as well,” the official added.
However, April 24, 1915 is also the date of the Ottoman government’s signing the Deportation Law that led to the deaths of up to a million Armenians in their long march south from eastern Anatolia. Armenia and the Armenian diaspora mark the day as the “anniversary of genocide” committed by the Ottoman Empire, and are planning to hold massive ceremonies on the centenary of the mass killings of their ancestors.
Sargsyan has invited world leaders to Yerevan on the same day, and neither Sargsyan nor Obama are expected to accept Turkey’s invitation to attend the ceremonies in Turkey.
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