Anadolu Agency
April 22 2004

Turkey Harshly Condemns Motion Of Canadian House Of Commons
Recognizing So-called Armenian Genocide

ANKARA – Turkey on Thursday harshly condemned attitude of Canadian
House of Commons recognizing so-called Armenian genocide.

Foreign Ministry issued a statement and said Canadian House of
Commons adopted a decision on Wednesday and defined several tragic
incidents occurred between Turks and Armenians in 1915 as
“genocide“.

The statement said Canadian authorities had many times been conveyed
the drawbacks which such a possible decision would lead to and noted
that, “we condemned decision of Canadian Parliament which was
adopted despite all Turkey`s initiatives.“ The statement said
Canadian authorities were blindly following those with marginal
views.

The statement said it was not up to the parliaments to reach
conclusions over controversial periods in history, stating that,
“Some narrow minded Canadian politicians were not able to understand
that such decisions based on prejudiced information, will awaken
feelings of hatred among people of different ethnic roots and disturb
social harmony.“

Pointing out that people were going through a sensitive period
requiring international cooperation and solidarity against violence
and hatred, and consolidation of tolerance among people having
different beliefs and ethnical roots, the statement said decision of
Canadian Parliament contradicted its responsibilities.

Foreign Ministry said this decision would neither be beneficial to
the Armenians living in Canada nor to the Armenia. It said,
“Canadian politicians will be responsible for all the negativities
that would be brought forth by this decision.“

Since 1965, the Armenians have been accusing the Turks of an alleged
genocide. These intrigues at last have reached its peak by blaming
the entire Turkish nation with a so-called genocide.

The so-called Armenian genocide allegations caused assassinations of
many Turkish officials. Between 1973 and 1985, Armenian terrorist
organization of ASALA staged several act of terrorism against Turkish
diplomats abroad. 34 people lost their lives in these heinous acts in
19 separate countries.

CANADIAN AMBASSADOR LEIR SUMMONED TO TURKISH FOREIGN MINISTRY

Michael Leir, Canadian Ambassador in Ankara, was summoned to Turkish
Foreign Ministry on Thursday regarding the motion of Canadian House
of Commons recognizing so-called Armenian genocide.

Foreign Ministry Deputy Undersecretary Nabi Sensoy conveyed Leir
Ankara`s sensitivity on the issue and the concern it felt over the
motion.

Canadian House of Commons adopted a decision on Wednesday and defined
several tragic incidents occurred between Turks and Armenians in 1915
as “genocide“.

Earlier in the day, Foreign Ministry issued a statement and said
Canadian authorities had many times been conveyed the drawbacks which
such a possible decision would lead to and noted that, “we condemned
decision of Canadian Parliament which was adopted despite Turkey`s
all initiatives.“