SITUATION WITH FREEDOM OF SPEECH IN TURKEY AND ARMENIA IS INCOMPARABLE: TURKISH EXPERT

Trend
Jan 14 2010
Azerbaijan

The international organization Freedom House’s annual report "Freedom
in the World 2010" is biased, Turkish expert said.

"It is impossible to compare Turkey and Armenia on a criteria of
freedom of speech," Salim Cohce, a professor of history and sociology
at the state-run Inonu University, specialist on Armenia told Trend
News over phone from Ankara.

The organization "Freedom House" with headquarters in the United States
published a new report describing the situation with political and
civil liberties, dividing countries into three categories – "free,"
"partially free" and "restricted". In the list Turkey and Armenia
are placed in one line of partially free countries.

Cohce said despite some problems, it is illogical to compare the
situation in Turkey and Armenia. People, who took office by arms
run, head Armenia. The media of this country is unable to express an
opinion on the activity of any political figure, he added.

"The situation with freedom of speech in Turkey is not perfect. One
can say with confidence that the level of freedom in the country is
higher than in Armenia, the United States and Europe," Cohce said.

The expert said as opposed to Turkey, the United States could never
openly discuss their domestic problems.

There is no false information in the Turkish media, such as that
spread by the U.S. media after the tragic events of September 11,
2001, and after the occupation of Iraq and Afghanistan, Cohce said.

"Tortures used by U.S. military men against Iraqi prisoners in Ebu
Gureyb prison are the so-called contribution of this country to
protect human rights," he said ironically.

Cohce said reckoning Turkey among several countries such as Armenia,
is an attempt to discredit Ankara.