ARMENIAN APOLOGY CAMPAIGN ORGANIZERS THREATENED
PanARMENIAN.Net
23.12.2008 16:44 GMT+04:00
Turkish nationalistic forces create tension in the country by
threatening to use force against the Turkish intellectuals who signed
the Armenian Genocide apology petition, independent French journalist
Jean Eckian told PanARMENIAN.Net.
Nevertheless, initiators of the campaign believe that the Turkish
government is capable to overcome the crisis.
Mr. Eckian reminded that many Turkish intellectuals are still
persecuted for statements referring to the Armenian Genocide.
Mehmed Ali Varis, assistant to publisher Ragip Zakaroglu, was
imprisoned for "insulting Turkishness" because he was unable to pay
a $15000 fee.
Over 20 thousand Turkish intellectuals, authors, journalists,
scientists and musicians have already signed the online petition which
reads, "My conscience does not accept the insensitivity showed to and
the denial of the Great Calamity that befell the Ottoman Armenians
in 1915. I reject this injustice and for my share, I empathize with
the feelings and pain of my Armenian brothers. I apologize to them."