ERDOGAN OPENED THE WAY FOR TURKEY TO FACE ITS PAST?
/PanARMENIAN.Net/
26.05.2009 12:29 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Turkish intellectuals have welcomed Prime Minister
Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s courage in speaking out against prevailing fears
of foreign nationals in Turkey, saying the prime minister has opened
the way for the country to face its past, Today’s Zaman reported.
"Both President Abdullah Gul and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan
have so far paid tribute to foreign nationals in Turkey during
their visits abroad. Erdogan doing the same in the country has made
all foreign nationals happy," said the honorary head of the Jewish
Community of Turkey, Bension Pinto.
On Saturday Erdogan slammed xenophobia in Turkey in response to
criticism by opposition parties over efforts for the clearing of land
mines located along Turkey’s borders.
"This mindset has seemingly not changed. It has been the same for
many years in this country. They have chased members of different
ethnicities out of this country. Have we won? This was the result of a
fascist mentality," Erdogan had said in a speech in the northwestern
city of Duzce on Saturday, adding that his Justice and Development
Party (AK Party) had made similar mistakes in the past, as well. Can
Paker, head of the Turkish Economic and Social Studies Foundation
(TESEV), said Erdogan’s remarks confirmed that there is a suitable
atmosphere in Turkey for discussing a wide variety of topics. "I find
Erdogan’s approach quite correct. Turkey has so far not changed its
political position regarding a number of topics. It was not courageous
enough to face history. Erdogan’s remarks proved that many things
can be discussed in Turkey," he added.