Zaman, Turkey
April 11 2005

So-Called Armenian Genocide Allegations to be Carried to the Turkish
Parliament
By Suleyman Kurt
Published: Sunday 10, 2005
zaman.com

Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul announced that a general
meeting will be held regarding the so-called Armenian genocide
allegations on Wednesday (April 13) and that at this meeting, he will
be making important statements. Gul said: “Turkey has delayed this
issue, whether we like it or not.” Visiting Algeria for official
contacts, Gul responded to questioning from the press Noting that
Turkey has, for decades, failed to address the allegations of
Armenian genocide, Minister Gul said: “Turkey could have pursued this
issue more courageously and thus enlightened the world. In this
sense, we are lacking. An event that never took place and that has no
legal dimension seems to have found a place in Western public
opinions and consciences as a result of propaganda.”

Gul stressed that in order to prevent this situation from becoming
more rigid, studies must be conducted. Pointing out that the Turkish
Foreign Ministry has been dwelling upon the importance of the issue
since the beginning of 2005, Gul told reporters: “I will make several
more announcements regarding this issue; however, I will give some
clues at the Parliament as well.” When asked whether or not the issue
will be handled at the United Nations (UN) level with an
international meeting, Gul stressed that the UN is a political
platform and objected to this: “The UN might also make mistakes. Some
things that are perceived as true are in fact false. There are
examples of this. ”

On the other side, Foreign Minister Gul disclosed: “It would be more
useful if we look at the issue like this; how could this problem be
solved? How could this region be turned into a symbol of peace and
cooperation? If these issues are studied in this manner, then I
suppose it would be beneficial for all parties.”