The doors of Diyarbekir (Tigranakert) are always open for Armenians; the doors of the city hall are open as well, where the mayor Osman Baydemir warmly greets Armenians- welcome to your motherland.
The streets of Diyarbekir at night seem to be similar with those of Yerevan’s Malatia, “Ayrarat” cinema passes, where all year long one can smell hot shawarma, qebab and barbeque.
During 80.000 years 333 different civilizations, languages and cultures were mixed here.
The mayor Osman Baydemir thinks that inside walls everything belongs to Armenians, Assyrians, and Kurds saying that there is something from each nation here. “Every Armenian, Assyrian or Kurd born in Diyarbekir has at least the same rights as I to live in this town. I welcome all the Diyarbekir-born Armenians to come back to their home.”- urged the mayor.
According to his words everybody wishes to be proud of his ancestors, but their ancestors have taken part in the evil and for curing the wound, one must accept it. Osman Baydemir has a great wish to come to Armenia, but since 2010 he is banned to leave the country, but he said that after the limit ends, he will come to Yerevan and put flowers on the memorial of victims of Genocide.
The mayor said that his greatest dream is to build a memorial for the victims of the Genocide in Diyarbekir. “This geographical area mustn’t repeat such a crime, such pain. Fanaticism is one of the worst troubles. ”
It turns out that after each free announcement of the mayor, the PM presents him a court suit.” The people in Middle East have seen many difficulties. One of the worst crimes in history is to deny another crime. We shouldn’t have any victim in 21st century. The negotiations must be restarted, and those who disturb the process must understand that they are accountable to Kurds and Turks. One must respect the rights of all the nations.”- said Baydemir adding that withdrawal means denying the negotiations.
“Peace and democracy “party wants Turkey to go out of the uni-centered power system in Turkey; they must recognize Kurds as separate nation and accept the reality that this is Kurdistan. I wish that 21st century were the age of overcoming conflict in Middle East. Today it is a dream, but I am sure that one day the border of Armenia, Iran, and Iraq will disappear,” he said.
Osman Baydemir thinks that peace is waiting in the region, but each of us must take efforts to catch it. “Escaping from the past is the greatest cowardice. I want to write a book on this.” In case when he is imprisoned, he promised to write a book, otherwise anyhow he will struggle for peace. “Finally we are responsible for our actions.”- said the mayor.
