TURKISH ARMY: APOLOGY CAMPAIGN TO ARMENIA INAPPROPRIATE
armradio.am
19.12.2008 15:48
The Turkish army said Friday it does not find appropriate the recent
internet campaign launched to issue a public apology to Armenians,
Hurriyet Daily reported.
"We don’t think this is right. It is wrong and will create harmful
consequences," Brigadier General Metin Gurak told at a briefing.
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. The petition
states: "My conscience does not accept the insensitivity showed to
and the denial of the Great Catastrophe that the Ottoman Armenians
were subjected to in 1915. I reject this injustice and for my share,
I empathize with the feelings and pain of my Armenian brothers and
sisters. I apologize to them."
The efforts of the intellectuals drew fierce reaction in Turkey.
On Wednesday, Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan said he neither
accepts nor supports the campaign. He added the campaign offers no
other benefit than "stirring up trouble, disturbing our peace and
undoing the steps which have been taken".
Turkey’s opposition parties, Republican People’s Party (CHP) and
Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), have also harshly criticized the
campaign.
Turkish President Abdullah Gul said Tuesday everyone can express their
opinions freely. " The president’s view is that the fact that the
issue is discussed freely in academic and public circles is proof of
the presence of democratic discussion in Turkey," Thursday’s statement
from Gul’s office said.