GELIBOLU - European Parliament (EP) President Pat Cox said on Wednesday that Gelibolu Peninsula had a significant place in compromise between Turkey and the European Union (EU).
Replying to questions of journalists in Anzak Bay during his visit to cemeteries and monuments in Gelibolu Peninsula, Cox said that his tour to Gelibolu was a part of his three-day visit to Turkey.
Noting that he observed a compromise in Gelibolu, Cox underlined importance of this compromise for the EU.
When asked, ''what do you feel as visiting these lands in which your ancestors had fought once?'' Cox said that he thought the battle was nothing but a suicide attack. He added that he understood those young people who lost their lives, by putting himself in place of them.
Noting that he had read many books about Gelibolu Peninsula, Cox he had an admiration for Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founder of modern and secular Republic of Turkey.
He quoted Ataturk as saying that they considered each person who died in Gelibolu their sons.
Cox told reporters that anyone including politicians should not repeat mistakes of the past.
Reminding that his family was of Irish origin, Cox added that his grandfather Patrick Radmon had fought in Gelibolu once.
(UK-AY) 03.03.2004