BABACAN: "ARMENIAN GENOCIDE CLAIMS ARE MEANT TO PROVOKE TURKEY"

Turkish Press
Oct 18 2006

State Minister for the Economy and chief European Union negotiator Ali
Babacan said yesterday that the so-called Armenian genocide claims
were meant to provoke Turkey, adding that the Turkish nation could
lose if it doesn’t keep its calm. "We can’t get anywhere if we’re
overly sensitive," said Babacan. Commenting on Turkey’s EU bid,
Babacan stated that the screening of chapters was completed on Oct.

13, adding that Turkey had completed its screening process in a year
compared to other EU candidates’ 18 months. Cautioning that 2007
would be difficult for Turkey’s EU bid, Babacan added that Ankara
would focus on the official negotiations. Babacan further denied
claims that the government had lost its EU enthusiasm.