Cyprus Press Information Office, Occupied Northern Cyprus
Aug 8 2005

Turkey bans Swiss Economy Ministers visit to Turkey because of the
Armenian genocide issue

Istanbul MILLIYET newspaper (06.08.05) publishes the following report
under the title: “Political note to Swiss Minister: Do not visit”:
The Swiss Embassy in Ankara has been officially informed that
Minister of Economy Joseph Deiss’ visit to Turkey in September has
been cancelled because Labor Party leader Dogu Perincek was
interrogated in Switzerland for saying that the “Armenian genocide is
a lie.”

The Swiss Embassy was informed on the cancellation of Deiss’ visit as
Minister of Culture Kursat Tuzmen’s guest through a political note on
4 August. The note said that Tuzmen will not be available.

According to the Swiss media organs, the Swiss Ministry of Economy
regretted Turkey’s decision. They quoted the Ministry officials as
saying, “We will be sorry if the interrogation is the real reason for
Turkey’s decision because there is separation of forces in
Switzerland.”