TURKISH MINISTER SLAMS SWITZERLAND OVER GENOCIDE DENIAL PROBE
Anadolu Agency
Feb 7 2012
Turkey
Istanbul, 7 February: Turkey's European Union (EU) minister and
chief negotiator said on Tuesday that incidents of 1915 were "not
a genocide."
Egemen Bagis said Swiss prosecutor should not lose time and investigate
himself when commenting on a preliminary investigation launched
against himself by the Swiss Prosecutor's Office.
"I said that day the incidents of 1915 were not a genocide. And, I
am repeating it here today and I am basing my words on our documents
and archives," Bagis told reporters before flying to Brussels, Belgium.
Bagis said Turkey's history was always cleaner than that of countries
which dared to question Turkey. "Nobody should try to give us lessons
about human rights, freedom of expression or agonies experienced in
the past," he said.
Egemen Bagis said Turkey had no hesitations or nothing to worry about,
and Turkey considered such initiatives non-existent.
Bagis called on Germany, United States, France, Armenia, Russia and
Britain to open their archives, and asked all historians to make
academic studies on the issue.
"Then, we, the politicians, can get the reports about history and
take some steps for the future," Bagis also said.
Bagis later left for Brussels, Belgium.
Egemen Bagis will meet European Parliament President Martin Schulz,
Socialist Group's leader Hannes Swoboda, Turkey Rapporteur Ria
Oomen-Ruijten and members of Committee on Foreign Affairs in Brussels.
Bagis is also expected to have a meeting with European Commissioner
for enlargement Stefan Fule and European Commissioner for Competition
Joaquin Almunia.
Anadolu Agency
Feb 7 2012
Turkey
Istanbul, 7 February: Turkey's European Union (EU) minister and
chief negotiator said on Tuesday that incidents of 1915 were "not
a genocide."
Egemen Bagis said Swiss prosecutor should not lose time and investigate
himself when commenting on a preliminary investigation launched
against himself by the Swiss Prosecutor's Office.
"I said that day the incidents of 1915 were not a genocide. And, I
am repeating it here today and I am basing my words on our documents
and archives," Bagis told reporters before flying to Brussels, Belgium.
Bagis said Turkey's history was always cleaner than that of countries
which dared to question Turkey. "Nobody should try to give us lessons
about human rights, freedom of expression or agonies experienced in
the past," he said.
Egemen Bagis said Turkey had no hesitations or nothing to worry about,
and Turkey considered such initiatives non-existent.
Bagis called on Germany, United States, France, Armenia, Russia and
Britain to open their archives, and asked all historians to make
academic studies on the issue.
"Then, we, the politicians, can get the reports about history and
take some steps for the future," Bagis also said.
Bagis later left for Brussels, Belgium.
Egemen Bagis will meet European Parliament President Martin Schulz,
Socialist Group's leader Hannes Swoboda, Turkey Rapporteur Ria
Oomen-Ruijten and members of Committee on Foreign Affairs in Brussels.
Bagis is also expected to have a meeting with European Commissioner
for enlargement Stefan Fule and European Commissioner for Competition
Joaquin Almunia.