Turkish government denies asking university to drop Armenian conference
Anatolia news agency, Ankara
30 May 05
Manama, 30 May: Turkish Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister
Abdullah Gul arrived Sunday [29 May] night in Manama, Bahrain for a
two-day visit. Gul responded to questions of journalists on the plane
to Manama. [Passage omitted]
Regarding the postponement of the conference on Armenian claims [of
genocide against Armenians in the Ottoman Empire] that would be held in
[Istanbul’s] Bogazici University, Gul said that the government didn’t
suggest or urge its postponement.
“As long as people don’t incite violence in their speeches, they can
express their ideas,” said Gul. Upon a question about a planned visit
of a group of Turkish deputies to Armenia, Gul said that Turkey was
a country which recognized Armenia diplomatically. Noting that there
were contacts and cultural activities between the two countries, Gul
said he hoped those activities and contacts will help in settlement
of the problems through dialogue. [Passage omitted]