HURRIYET NEWSPAPER: DISMISSAL OF YUSUF HALACOGLU IS LINKED WITH OPENING NEW PAGE IN THE RELATIONS WITH ARMENIA

Azeri Press Agency
July 24 2008
Azerbaijan

" I learned about my dismissal from journalists. I do not know for
which reason I have been dismissed. I do not care.

I bore load on my shoulders," Professor Yusuf Halacoglu, Head of
Turkish Historical Society, who was dismissed on July 22, gave an
interview to Hurriyet newspaper, APA reports.

Halacoglu is on holiday in Bodrum at present. Asked whether the
Government’s decision is linked with opening new page in the relations
with Armenia or not he answered:

"I have said what I knew every time. I am not such man ran for the
post. My best job is erudition. Nobody can misappropriate my job. I
will further continue my best job. I have served for the Government for
15 years and they should express gratitude for it," he said. Halacoglu
stated that he did not fall out with the state and Turkish people
and stressed that he had served for Turkish people every time and
the God and nation knew it.

Hurriyet newspaper stressed that Halacoglu had been dismissed after
meeting of Turkish and Armenian diplomats in Switzerland. It is
assessed with softness of Turkish policy against Armenia. Halacoglu
was known as scientist who rejected Armenians’ claims on so-called
genocide and proved it by the help of historical documents.