ANKARA - Turkey on Thursday harshly condemned attitude of Canadian House of Commons recognizing so-called Armenian genocide.
Foreign Ministry issued a statement and said Canadian House of Commons adopted a decision on Wednesday and defined several tragic incidents occurred between Turks and Armenians in 1915 as ``genocide``.
The statement said Canadian authorities had many times been conveyed the drawbacks which such a possible decision would lead to and noted that, ``we condemned decision of Canadian Parliament which was adopted despite all Turkey`s initiatives.`` The statement said Canadian authorities were blindly following those with marginal views.
The statement said it was not up to the parliaments to reach conclusions over controversial periods in history, stating that, ``Some narrow minded Canadian politicians were not able to understand that such decisions based on prejudiced information, will awaken feelings of hatred among people of different ethnic roots and disturb social harmony.``
Pointing out that people were going through a sensitive period requiring international cooperation and solidarity against violence and hatred, and consolidation of tolerance among people having different beliefs and ethnical roots, the statement said decision of Canadian Parliament contradicted its responsibilities.
Foreign Ministry said this decision would neither be beneficial to the Armenians living in Canada nor to the Armenia. It said, ``Canadian politicians will be responsible for all the negativities that would be brought forth by this decision.``
Since 1965, the Armenians have been accusing the Turks of an alleged genocide. These intrigues at last have reached its peak by blaming the entire Turkish nation with a so-called genocide.
The so-called Armenian genocide allegations caused assassinations of many Turkish officials. Between 1973 and 1985, Armenian terrorist organization of ASALA staged several act of terrorism against Turkish diplomats abroad. 34 people lost their lives in these heinous acts in 19 separate countries.
CANADIAN AMBASSADOR LEIR SUMMONED TO TURKISH FOREIGN MINISTRY
Michael Leir, Canadian Ambassador in Ankara, was summoned to Turkish Foreign Ministry on Thursday regarding the motion of Canadian House of Commons recognizing so-called Armenian genocide.
Foreign Ministry Deputy Undersecretary Nabi Sensoy conveyed Leir Ankara`s sensitivity on the issue and the concern it felt over the motion.
Canadian House of Commons adopted a decision on Wednesday and defined several tragic incidents occurred between Turks and Armenians in 1915 as ``genocide``.
Earlier in the day, Foreign Ministry issued a statement and said Canadian authorities had many times been conveyed the drawbacks which such a possible decision would lead to and noted that, ``we condemned decision of Canadian Parliament which was adopted despite Turkey`s all initiatives.``
(AY) 22.04.2004