Arminfo
2007-02-23 14:02:00
Anti-American Sentiments in Turkish Society Are on Rise: Turkish
Minister
The anti-American sentiments in the Turkish Society are on the rise,
the Justice Minister of Turkey, Cemil Cicek said in an interview to
"Zaman" Turkish newspaper commenting on a possible worsening of
Turkish-American relations in case of adoption of the Genocide bill by
US Congress. This is not good. In the final analysis, this is a
historic event. It requires academic studies. Today, the
anti-American sentiments are on the rise. What if in future some
parliaments take decisions concerning what happened in Iraq or Somalia
or Vietnam? Will it be a realistic course of action? What will this
bring to the world peace? Naturally, Turkey will not congratulate the
US. On different occasions, we have articulated our stance in this
issue. I hope our US friends will understand it.
Turkey has no worries. We have challenged the historians of the
countries who adopted similar bills to come to Turkey to conduct
researches. If they want the truth, they must come. If they had other
motives, we have fitting reactions. Turkey is ready to face its own
history. We invited Armenia to set up an academic commission, but they
proposed to establish a political commission in return. Turkey is not
escaping nor is it covering anything. Everybody should contribute to
the uncovering of the truth. This is what Turkey will do. If the US
Congress takes a politically-motivated decision, this will
unquestionably disappoint us.