The Local, Sweden
March 14 2010

Anti Swedish protests continue in Turkey

Published: 14 Mar 10 13:25 CET

Diplomatic efforts are underway to mend a rift between Sweden and
Turkey, caused by the Swedish parliament’s decision to recognize the
mass killing of Armenians and other ethnic groups in 1915 as genocide.

The Swedish ambassador to Turkey, Christer Asp, said protests were
still underway on Saturday in some cities, following large
demonstrations outside the Swedish consulate in Istanbul on Friday.

He added that his post box was over flowing with hate mail and letters
indicating Swedish business interests have been affected by the
dispute.

"Some of the letters are formulated in such a way that I could not
repeat them in public. They are not threats but they’re not saying
anything nice about Sweden, if you know what I mean," he told the news
agency TT.

Swedish foreign minister, Carl Bildt, has condemned the parliament’s vote.

"These kinds of decisions tend to increase tensions rather than reduce
them," he told news agency Reuters.

Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt has also assured his Turkish
counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan that he did not agree with the
paliament’s decision – which was supported by four parliamentarians
who are members of his governing centre right coalition.

TT/Tom Sullivan