ARMENIAN CONFERENCE PROTESTERS TARGET INONU
source: Hurriyet
Journal of Turkish Weekly
Sept 26 2005
The controversial conference on the “Armenians during the Collapse
of the Ottoman Empire” began on Saturday at Istanbul Bilgi University
instead of the original host, Bogazici University.
The conference had been postponed once before and finally, a court
decision was passed to stop Bogazici, a state university, from hosting
the event. Former PM Prof. Erdal Ýnonu, who was among the audience,
was booed by nationalist and conservative left-wing groups while trying
to enter the conference hall. Protesters tried to block Inonu’s way
and shouted at him, “Do not join these traitors!”
On his leaving the building, Inonu rejected security guards and
police forces offered to him and turned down taxis that were hailed
for him. “I will be walking to the Taksim Square, and then go home,”
said Ýnonu, “This is my country and I am walking home.”
Eggs and tomatoes were thrown at nonu, and one egg hit his shoulder.
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