Hurriyet Daily News, Turkey
May 8 2013
Ankara strongly condemns `genocides' motion by New South Wales
ANKARA
Recognition of the `Assyrian, Armenian and Greek genocides' by New
South Wales' Parliament has angered Ankara, prompting it to deliver a
`strong condemnation' while noting the decision will have negative
repercussions.
`We strongly condemn and reject this motion which is in no way
compatible with historic facts. The fact that this motion has been
passed through a fait accompli by a local politician, whose antagonism
to Turkey in his attitude and behavior is well-known, during a session
at the State Parliament attended by a small number of
parliamentarians, shows how lightly and unsoundly such a sensitive
issue is dealt with. It is evident that history will not be rewritten
by such motions passed by petty political calculations under the
influence of ethnic lobbies known for their excesses and prejudices,'
the Foreign Ministry said in a written statement delivered today.
New South Wales' legislature unanimously passed the motion on May 1 at
the request of the Assyrian Universal Alliance, the Australian
Hellenic Council and the Armenian National Committee.
Accordingly, the Parliament `joined the Assyrian, Armenian and Greek
communities of New South Wales in honoring the memory of the innocent
men, women and children who fell victims to the first modern
genocides.'
`Although the solid friendly relations existing between the peoples of
Turkey and Australia will not deteriorate because of this unilateral
decision which is the fait accompli of a small group, its negative
repercussions are nonetheless inevitable. In this context, the
proponents of such initiatives aimed at dealing a blow to the very
special relations that exist between our peoples will doubtlessly be
deprived of the hospitality and friendship that we will never withhold
from the people of Australia. These persons who try to damage the
spirit of Çanakkale/Gallipoli will also not have their place in the
Çanakkale ceremonies where we commemorate together our sons lying side
by side in our soil,' the Foreign Ministry said.
`Necessary representations with Australian authorities have been made,
stressing that our primary expectation from the Australian authorities
for the sake of our relations that have developed so far on the basis
of friendship, is that they be more attentive to unacceptable claims
directed toward Turkey and the Turkish identity and that they take
timely action against initiatives carrying anti-Turkish content and
hate speech,' the ministry said.
May/08/2013
http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/ankara-strongly-condemns-genocides-motion-by-new-south-wales-.aspx?pageID=238&nID=46454&NewsCatID=338
May 8 2013
Ankara strongly condemns `genocides' motion by New South Wales
ANKARA
Recognition of the `Assyrian, Armenian and Greek genocides' by New
South Wales' Parliament has angered Ankara, prompting it to deliver a
`strong condemnation' while noting the decision will have negative
repercussions.
`We strongly condemn and reject this motion which is in no way
compatible with historic facts. The fact that this motion has been
passed through a fait accompli by a local politician, whose antagonism
to Turkey in his attitude and behavior is well-known, during a session
at the State Parliament attended by a small number of
parliamentarians, shows how lightly and unsoundly such a sensitive
issue is dealt with. It is evident that history will not be rewritten
by such motions passed by petty political calculations under the
influence of ethnic lobbies known for their excesses and prejudices,'
the Foreign Ministry said in a written statement delivered today.
New South Wales' legislature unanimously passed the motion on May 1 at
the request of the Assyrian Universal Alliance, the Australian
Hellenic Council and the Armenian National Committee.
Accordingly, the Parliament `joined the Assyrian, Armenian and Greek
communities of New South Wales in honoring the memory of the innocent
men, women and children who fell victims to the first modern
genocides.'
`Although the solid friendly relations existing between the peoples of
Turkey and Australia will not deteriorate because of this unilateral
decision which is the fait accompli of a small group, its negative
repercussions are nonetheless inevitable. In this context, the
proponents of such initiatives aimed at dealing a blow to the very
special relations that exist between our peoples will doubtlessly be
deprived of the hospitality and friendship that we will never withhold
from the people of Australia. These persons who try to damage the
spirit of Çanakkale/Gallipoli will also not have their place in the
Çanakkale ceremonies where we commemorate together our sons lying side
by side in our soil,' the Foreign Ministry said.
`Necessary representations with Australian authorities have been made,
stressing that our primary expectation from the Australian authorities
for the sake of our relations that have developed so far on the basis
of friendship, is that they be more attentive to unacceptable claims
directed toward Turkey and the Turkish identity and that they take
timely action against initiatives carrying anti-Turkish content and
hate speech,' the ministry said.
May/08/2013
http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/ankara-strongly-condemns-genocides-motion-by-new-south-wales-.aspx?pageID=238&nID=46454&NewsCatID=338