TURKEY’S DIASPORA IN EUROPE DESCRIBES APOLOGY CAMPAIGN AS GAME OF ARMENIAN DIASPORA

Trend News Agency
Dec 18 2008
Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan, Baku, Dec. 18/ Trend News, B. Hasanov/ Union of Turkish
Democrats in Europe, uniting all Turkish diasporas in Europe, located
in Koln city of Germany, strongly denounced apology the campaign
launched by a group of intellectuals in Turkey.

"The campaign launched by a group of "intellectuals" in Turkey does
not reflect position of Turkish people and we consider it a game of
Armenian diaspora," Salih Altinishik, secretary general of Union of
Turkish Democrats in Europe, said to Trend News by telephone from Koln.

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.

Altinishik said relevant measures are needed to be taken against
this campaign. He described it as a part of a scenario carried out
stage-by-stage.

"There is no any crime and criminal to apologize for," he added. He
said this campaign will not have any impact on so-called "genocide"
claims in Europe.

"We will successfully continue our diaspora efforts for the favor of
our nation," Altinishik said.