Big News Network, Australia
Dec 15 2004

Turkey riled by genocide reference

France’s demand that Turkey accept responsibility for the alleged
1915 Armenian genocide has drawn an angry denial from Ankara, The
Times of London reports.

In preliminary talks among European foreign ministers on Turkey’s
entry into the European Union, French Foreign Minister Michel Barnier
said Turkey must first officially recognize the 1915 genocide.

When the time comes, Turkey should face up to the requirement of
remembrance, Barnier said. The European project itself is founded on
reconciliation.

Historians claim Turkish authorities orchestrated the killing of 1.5
million Armenian Christians, who were indigenous inhabitants of
Turkey, in an attempt to make an ethnically pure nation. However,
subsequent Turkish governments have maintained only a small number
were killed in spontaneous violence.

Tuesday saw a similar denial from an unidentified government official
in Ankara.

They are just trying to make us angry. It is their last chance to
cause trouble against us, the official said.