ANKARA. – Turkey has to face its past and recognize errors, said CNNturk editor-in-chief, famous political analyst Mehmet Ali Birand.

In his article published in Hurriyet Daily News, Birand says that all states encounter the dark parts of their past sooner or later.

 “We, up to now, have never spoken about our past openly. We are not able to discuss our past mistakes with modesty and courage. The Armenian issue falls into that category. By denying it, we can only fool ourselves,” he stated calling not to play games.

The analyst believes that Turkey will not save itself by claiming that it was not they but the Ottoman Empire.

“The 100th anniversary of the Armenian incidents is approaching. If we do not take any step, then others will wrongly judge us and tag the crimes on us. Turkish former PM Turgut Oal, years ago visited Algeria and apologized for not having supported the Algerian freedom war during the French colonial era.

What happened? What did we lose? On the contrary, we won. Come, let’s leave aside domestic policy concerns and look at the incident from a wider angle. Let’s encounter our past,” Birand challenged.