TURKISH PREMIER SAYS ARMENIAN GENOCIDE CLAIMS "UNACCEPTABLE"

Anatolia news agency
11 Sep 06

Ankara, 11 September: "Accusations of irrelevant countries on the
so-called Armenian genocide are unacceptable," Turkish Premier Recep
Tayyip Erdogan said on Monday [11 September].

Taking the floor at the 15th Turkish History Congress, Erdogan said:
"Turkey has nothing to be ashamed of in the past. In spite of this,
there are countries, which try to slander our history by political
reasons. The calumny regarding the so-called Armenian genocide is
one of them."

"I personally proposed Armenian authorities to establish a joint
history commission. I underlined that this issue should be investigated
and assessed by historians. We have not yet received any affirmative
response (from them)," Erdogan indicated.

"History should be studied thoroughly based on documents and without
any political consideration. This is very important in achieving
peace in our region and in the world," Erdogan added.

Turkish premier also noted that 310 scientists from 43 countries
were attending the 15th History Congress, stating that he believed
the congress would lead to new horizons.

"Turkey, which has the position of a central country at the
intersection of Europe, Asia and Africa, cannot keep itself off the
tensions in the Balkans, Caucus and the Middle East," Erdogan said,
noting that, "we should be vigilant against the dangers and threats
and put necessary measures in place."

Recalling that Turkey and Spain initiated last year the Alliance of
Civilizations Initiative to pioneer settlement of a peaceful and
prosperous world, Erdogan said, "studies performed by estimable
scientists like you, will of course have very big contribution to
this initiative."

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress