Orhan Pamuk pressed for "political" answers during Moscow press conference
Güncelleme Tarihi:
Oluşturulma Tarihi: Haziran 02, 2006 10:58
Turkish author Orhan Pamuk, in Moscow for ceremonies marking the publishing of his books "Snow" and "Istanbul" in Russian, was pressed yesterday at a press conference for answers on the Armenian claims of genocide by Armenian journalists present in the audience.
During a question and answer section of Pamuk's press conference, an Armenian reporter asked him "Are you planning on soon visiting Armenia soon to publicly recognize the Armenian genocide and apologize to the Armenian people?" In response, Pamuk said "I did not come to Moscow to engage in politics. Your question is very political. Not only that, but the subject you are talking about is one which concerns Turkey and Turkish people. I came to the Russian capital to help publicize my books." Following this exchange, the Russian director in charge of the press conference warned journalists to keep their questions limited to the topic at hand.
But the politically-charged questions at Pamuk's press conference did not end there. Following the Armenian journalist's question, an Azeri reporter stood and asked Pamuk "Do you plan on soon writing a book explaining that the Armenian claims are all lies?" To this, Pamuk replied "I have been to Azerbayjian. I have spoken there many times about my books. But I have spoken only about my books, and I have no intention of telling anyone what my future books are going to be about."
Pamuk, who leaves Moscow for further book publicity in Saint Petersburg, told reports that he was very happy to be taking the train from the Russian capital to Saint Petersburg, saying "I will make my journey by night train, like Anna Karenina. I have always dreamed of doing this. In the end, my dream has come true."
But the politically-charged questions at Pamuk's press conference did not end there. Following the Armenian journalist's question, an Azeri reporter stood and asked Pamuk "Do you plan on soon writing a book explaining that the Armenian claims are all lies?" To this, Pamuk replied "I have been to Azerbayjian. I have spoken there many times about my books. But I have spoken only about my books, and I have no intention of telling anyone what my future books are going to be about."
Pamuk, who leaves Moscow for further book publicity in Saint Petersburg, told reports that he was very happy to be taking the train from the Russian capital to Saint Petersburg, saying "I will make my journey by night train, like Anna Karenina. I have always dreamed of doing this. In the end, my dream has come true."