TURKISH FOREIGN MINISTRY EXPRESSES "DEEP SORROW" AT CHIRAC STATEMENT IN ARMENIA

Anatolia news agency, Ankara,
3 Oct 06

Nkara, 3 October: Turkish Foreign Ministry expressed deep sorrow over
statements of French President Jacques Chirac who supported so-called
Armenian genocide during his visit to Armenia.

Foreign Ministry stated that it is not possible to accept Chirac’s
definition of the incidents (which occurred under World War I
conditions in 1915 and were interpreted differently by many respected
international historians) as "genocide".

"However, when several implementations during colonialism period
of France were brought onto agenda last year, President Chirac had
defended the view that historical incidents should be examined by
historians," noted the ministry.

"Turkish people have rightfully reacted to Chirac who is making
groundless statements and giving an impression as if so-called Armenian
genocide is among Turkey’s EU criteria instead of supporting Turkey’s
proposal to Armenia to examine the allegations in a joint commission
of historians for which we have not yet received a positive response,"
added themMinistry.