ANKARA - Turkey welcomed some parts of the statement that U.S. President George Bush made on April 24th in which he took into consideration several sensitivities of Turkey regarding so-called Armenian genocide allegations, and supported Turkey's proposal to form a joint commission (to examine the allegations), Turkish Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Namik Tan told weekly press briefing that, ''it is not possible for us to agree on some assessments in this statement. History can solely be written on the basis of official documents, the accuracy of which is indisputable.''
On the other hand, Tan said that the process to be launched after formation of a joint commission would constitute a significant step for settlement of tolerance and compromise between the two nations (Turkish & Armenian peoples), and contribute to regional peace and stability.
Touching on the letter sent by Armenian President Robert Kocharian to Ankara, Tan said that Turkish PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan was the interlocutor of this letter, and noted that the public would be informed after the letter was assessed.
RUSSIA'S CHARGE D'AFFAIRS SUMMONED TO FOREIGN MINISTRY
Answering a question on Russian Parliament's lower chamber Duma's statement on the so-called Armenian genocide allegations, Tan said, ''we are sorry to see that some parliaments are making similar decisions these days.''
Recalling that the Polish parliament also made a similar decision, Tan said that Turkish Foreign Ministry had launched necessary initiatives not only in (Polish capital of) Warsaw but also in Ankara. Tan said that Russian Charge D'Affairs to Turkey was summoned to the Turkish Foreign Ministry, and recalled that Turkey's Embassy in (Russian capital of) Moscow gave a note to the Russian Foreign Ministry yesterday (Tuesday), protesting the incident.
Turkish Foreign Ministry had prevented similar initiatives in some countries, Tan stated.
Tan also said that efforts were under way regarding the resolution currently at the German parliamentary foreign affairs commission, and noted that this resolution did not include the expression of ''genocide''.
This matter would be taken up in different platforms during German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder's visit to Turkey due in May, added Tan.