"The Armenian Genocide is a taboo which lies at the heart of the modern Turkish republic", states popular novelist Orhan Pamuk. Turkey's official position is that no genocide ever took place - a line most Turks believe. In challenging this and publicly questioning the deeds of Turkey's founders, Pamuk ran headlong into the turbo charged power of Turkish nationalism. "He directly insulted the Turkish nation and the very idea of being Turkish", fumes lawyer Kemal Kerinciscz. Pamuk was charged with insulting the Turkish State. His books were burnt, photo shredded and he received death threats. "There was a sort of lynching campaign. I was forced to leave the country", he recalls. Although Pamuk's case collapsed, dozens of other writers have also been charged under Article 301 for the same offence. Many fear that if Turkey recognises the killings, it will be forced to pay out billions in compensation. But with the EU pressuring Ankara to allow greater freedom of speech, Turkey may soon have to face a public debate on its past. (ABC Aus)