Open Letter by the Society for Armenian Studies
to President Robert Kocharian of Armenia
in Support of Yektan Turkyilmaz
July 30, 2005

Society for Armenian Studies, Inc.
c/o Armenian Studies Program
5245 N. Backer Ave. M/S PB 4
Fresno, CA 93740-8001

Society for Armenian Studies
Executive Council

President
Joseph Kechichian
Vice-President
Simon Payaslian
Treasurer
Barlow Der Mugrdechian
Advisors
Ina Baghdiants McCabe
George Bournoutian
Robert Krikorian
Vahram Shemmassian

30 July 2005

His Excellency Robert Kocharian
President of the Republic of Armenia

Dear President Kocharian,

We write to you on behalf of the Society for Armenian Studies to express our grave concern about the current condition and whereabouts of Mr. Yektan Turkyilmaz.

The Society for Armenian Studies (SAS), the international body of scholars and teachers involved in the field of Armenian Studies, is the preeminent professional association in the field.  The SAS publishes the award-winning Journal of the Society for Armenian Studies, and is committed to ensuring respect for the principles of academic freedom.  Numbered among our members are the world's leading experts on Armenian history, culture, literature and genocide studies.

Mr. Turkyilmaz is a Ph. D. candidate at Duke University in the United States.  He is a Turkish citizen who was arrested on June 17, 2005 as he was leaving Armenia and has been held under high security conditions at the National Security Service building in Yerevan ever since his arrest.  Last week, the request to release him on bail, accompanied by personal guarantees of a member of the Armenian Parliament and a prominent Armenian-American historian, was turned down.  It now appears that Mr. Turkyilmaz will stand trial on customs violation charges under Article 215 Paragraph 2 of the Armenian Criminal Code, which includes a prison sentence of 4 to 8 years.

Naturally, the SAS supports the rule of law, but the way that Mr. Turkyilmaz was treated sets a negative precedent for Armenia.  This is especially unfortunate as we seek to enhance understanding with Turkish colleagues engaged in serious research on vital subjects to Armenians.  Yektan Turkyilmaz is a serious scholar with critical skills, including fluency in six languages, most notably Armenian.  Moreover, he is the first Turkish scholar to work in the Armenian National Archives, recognition of his commitment to truth.  Several prestigious awards are supporting his dissertation research at Duke University.  We understand that he has been questioned about his research and theoretical orientations, and the digital copies of his archival research have been confiscated.  There can be no justification for such conduct.

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His Excellency Robert Kocharian
President of the Republic of Armenia


Naturally, the SAS supports the rule of law, but the way that Mr. Turkyilmaz was treated sets a negative precedent for Armenia.  This is especially unfortunate as we seek to enhance understanding with Turkish colleagues engaged in serious research on vital subjects to Armenians.  Yektan Turkyilmaz is a serious scholar with critical skills, including fluency in six languages, most notably Armenian.  Moreover, he is the first Turkish scholar to work in the Armenian National Archives, recognition of his commitment to truth.  Several prestigious awards are supporting his dissertation research at Duke University.  We understand that he has been questioned about his research and theoretical orientations, and the digital copies of his archival research have been confiscated.  There can be no justification for such conduct.

Mr. President, we respectfully urge you to intervene to ensure that this unfortunate state of affairs comes to a swift and amicable end.  We request the immediate release of Yektan Turkyilmaz and a return of his digital research material so that he can continue his scholarly activities.

We believe that scholarship, the free exchange of ideas and international collegiality all enhance political entente between states and increase mutual respect and understanding amongst peoples.  Your leadership in quickly and positively resolving this matter will send a most welcome message to those who seek to harm Armenian interests around the world.

The Society for Armenian Studies expresses its appreciation for your anticipated leadership in resolving this detention without further delays and looks forward to hearing from you at your earliest convenience.

Sincerely,




Joseph A. Kechichian
President