BAKU: Apology campaign can have negative impact on Turkey-Armenia

Trend News Agency, Azerbaijan
Dec 20 2008

Apology campaign can have negative impact on Turkey-Armenia talks
20.12.08 11:13

Foreign minister of Turkey Ali Babacan sharply criticized apology
campaign, CNNTURK reported.

`This campaign can have a negative impact on the ongoing
Turkey-Armenia talks,’ Babacan 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.

Babacan said the Turkish Foreign Ministry is especially concerned over
the apology campaign. `A number of Turkish diplomats were victim of
Armenian terrorism. Therefore, Foreign Ministry is sensible in such
matters,’ Babacan added.
From: Baghdasarian