Logoglu: Istanbul Attacks Targeted Turkish Democracy, Secularism And Harmonization Among Religions And Cultures

WASHINGTON - Turkey's Ambassador in Washington Faruk Logoglu said on Wednesday that bomb attacks in Istanbul targeted Turkish democracy, secularism and harmonization among religions and cultures.
Logoglu addressed a forum staged by Washington based Potomac Institute in U.S. National Press Club. Potomac Institute is a think-tank organization making researches on terrorism.
Logoglu said many countries had expended support messages to Turkey following bomb attacks in Istanbul; however, he reminded the listeners statement of Justice Minister Cemil Cicek describing some of those messages as ''crocodile tears''.
Logoglu said those countries exhibited an attitude as if Turkey was not a secure country, like refusing to play soccer match in Turkey.
Stating that nobody could anymore ignore such kind of terrorist attacks, Logoglu said the attacks could take place anywhere in the world. He said expending support to the principles of democracy and law, particularly in the Middle East, was very important in fight against terrorism.
Logoglu said being prepared against such kind of attacks will help prevention of them.
Pointing out to the experience of Turkey against terrorism, Logoglu said tens of thousands of people died because of PKK terrorism, and many Turkish diplomats were killed because of terrorism of Armenian ASALA organization.
(AY-AÖ) 08.01.2004