TURKEY DID NOT COMMIT ANY CRIME AGAINST ARMENIANS: TURKISH PM

Trend News Agency
Dec 17 2008
Azerbaijan

Turkey’s Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan criticized a campaign of
apology to the Armenians launched by the Turkish academics, writers
and journalists recently, Turkey’s Time Turk news agency reported.

"I can not understand those who launched this campaign. I can not
understand this logic," Erdogan said.

Around 200 Turkish academics, writers and journalists launched
a website issuing an apology to the Armenians regarding the 1915
incidents and calling for people to sign on in support. Over 5,000
people have registered on the website, Turkush media reported.

Armenia and Armenian lobby worldwide state that in 1915 the Ottoman
Empire, Turkey’s predecessor, committed genocide against Armenians
living in Anatolia. Armenians striving to make their statements
recognized worldwide have strengthened their propaganda of the
so-called genocide in several countries and have achieved recognition
of the "Armenian genocide" at several Parliaments.

Turkish Prime Minister said this campaign will only create
confusion. ""I neither accept nor support this campaign. We did not
commit a crime, therefore we do not need to apologize," Erdogan said.