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TURK'S EU MINISTER STANDS BY GENOCIDE COMMENTS
Emirates 24/7
http://www.emirates247.com/news/world/turk-s-eu-minister-stands-by-genocide-comments-2012-02-08-1.441893
Feb 8 2012
UAE
Turkey's EU affairs minister repeated on Tuesday his denial that
Ottoman Turks had committed genocide against Armenians nearly 100
years ago, in a challenge to Swiss officials who are investigating
whether similar comments last month broke the law.
Turkey summoned the Swiss ambassador on Monday to complain about the
decision by Swiss officials to investigate minister Egemen Bagis's
comments at the World Economic Forum in Davos and also at a concert
in Zurich.
"I said there on that day that what happened in 1915 was not genocide
and I repeat that today. Nobody should doubt that I will give the
same answer every time I am asked," Bagis told a news conference.
"I don't recognise any power that can detain any minister of the
Turkish Republic. I am very much at ease on this subject," he said.
"If necessary I would go again to Davos and say the same thing."
Swiss anti racism laws make it illegal to deny a genocide.
Last month, the French Senate approved similar legislation, prompting
an angry response from Turkey. Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan
termed the legislation "discriminatory and racist".
More than 130 lawmakers who had voted against the bill have appealed
to France's highest court, the Constitutional Council, to overturn
the law, arguing that the events in 1915-17 were still the subject
of historical contention, and the legislation ultimately infringed
the right to free speech.
The court has a month to decide.
Armenia, backed by many historians and parliaments, says about 1.5
million Christian Armenians were killed in what is now eastern Turkey
during World War One in a deliberate policy of genocide ordered by
the Ottoman government.
The Ottoman empire was dissolved at the end of the war, but successive
Turkish governments and the vast majority of Turks believe the charge
of genocide is an insult to their nation. Ankara argues there was
heavy loss of life on both sides during fighting in the region.
An attorney for the Zurich state prosecutor's office said Swiss
officials had started an initial probe into Bagis's remarks after
receiving a complaint from the Switzerland-Armenia group. As a
minister, Bagis may enjoy immunity from prosecution.
Swiss authorities have taken legal action against several people who
have denied the Armenian genocide. The most prominent case is the
conviction of Turkish politician Dogu Perincek, who was fined 3,000
Swiss francs in 2007.
Emirates 24/7
http://www.emirates247.com/news/world/turk-s-eu-minister-stands-by-genocide-comments-2012-02-08-1.441893
Feb 8 2012
UAE
Turkey's EU affairs minister repeated on Tuesday his denial that
Ottoman Turks had committed genocide against Armenians nearly 100
years ago, in a challenge to Swiss officials who are investigating
whether similar comments last month broke the law.
Turkey summoned the Swiss ambassador on Monday to complain about the
decision by Swiss officials to investigate minister Egemen Bagis's
comments at the World Economic Forum in Davos and also at a concert
in Zurich.
"I said there on that day that what happened in 1915 was not genocide
and I repeat that today. Nobody should doubt that I will give the
same answer every time I am asked," Bagis told a news conference.
"I don't recognise any power that can detain any minister of the
Turkish Republic. I am very much at ease on this subject," he said.
"If necessary I would go again to Davos and say the same thing."
Swiss anti racism laws make it illegal to deny a genocide.
Last month, the French Senate approved similar legislation, prompting
an angry response from Turkey. Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan
termed the legislation "discriminatory and racist".
More than 130 lawmakers who had voted against the bill have appealed
to France's highest court, the Constitutional Council, to overturn
the law, arguing that the events in 1915-17 were still the subject
of historical contention, and the legislation ultimately infringed
the right to free speech.
The court has a month to decide.
Armenia, backed by many historians and parliaments, says about 1.5
million Christian Armenians were killed in what is now eastern Turkey
during World War One in a deliberate policy of genocide ordered by
the Ottoman government.
The Ottoman empire was dissolved at the end of the war, but successive
Turkish governments and the vast majority of Turks believe the charge
of genocide is an insult to their nation. Ankara argues there was
heavy loss of life on both sides during fighting in the region.
An attorney for the Zurich state prosecutor's office said Swiss
officials had started an initial probe into Bagis's remarks after
receiving a complaint from the Switzerland-Armenia group. As a
minister, Bagis may enjoy immunity from prosecution.
Swiss authorities have taken legal action against several people who
have denied the Armenian genocide. The most prominent case is the
conviction of Turkish politician Dogu Perincek, who was fined 3,000
Swiss francs in 2007.