ANKARA - Swiss Foreign Minister Micheline Calmy-Rey's statement that Ankara called off her scheduled visit to Turkey, and decision of the western canton of Vaud recognizing so-called Armenian genocide created uneasiness in Ankara.
Diplomatic sources said decision taken by the legislation organ of western canton of Vaud on recognition of so-called genocide on Armenians, not only recognized one-sided, historically questionable and unsubstantiated allegations of Armenians, but also questioned the Lausanne Treaty which was the foundation of Turkish Republic.
Sources said Swiss Federal authorities were informed beforehand that such a decision would cause harsh reactions in Turkish public.
Diplomatic sources said in this negative atmosphere it would be impossible for the scheduled visit of Calmy-Rey to make expected positive contributions to bilateral relations. Sources said the Swiss authorities were conveyed that postponement of the visit to a future date would be beneficial and appropriate in every respect.
Sources said despite this, Swiss Foreign Minister Calmy-Rey mis-reflected the issue, stating that Ankara expressed regret over reiteration of allegations on so-called genocide on Armenians.
Sources said Turkey attributed a special importance to relations with Switzerland, and was willing to further improve relations, emphasizing that Switzerland was also expected to show the same sensitivity on issues which Turkey was sensitive.
Calmy-Rey claimed that her scheduled visit to Turkey, expected to take place on October 6, was called off by Ankara, and added that Turkey cancelled the visit to protest attitude of the canton in recognizing so-called genocide on Armenians.
Calmy-Rey said she found the decision of Ankara to cancel the visit ''exaggerated'', and stated that they conveyed the uneasiness felt on the issue to Turkish officials. Calmy-Rey said this move did not have a nature that could facilitate bilateral relations which the two sides built with patience.
(AY-AÖ) 01.10.2003