Arinc: Turks Have Never Committed Genocide Throughout Their History

CANBERRA (AA) - Turkish Parliament Speaker Bulent Arinc said on Thursday that Turks had never committed genocide throughout their history.
     Arinc, who is currently in Australia on an official visit, met Australian Prime Minister John Howard and Foreign Minister Alexander Downer.
     Replying to questions of the A.A correspondent following the meetings, Arinc said, ''I expressed Turkey's regret over recognition of allegations regarding the so-called Armenian genocide in some countries. Bitter events occurred during the World War I. However, Turks have never committed genocide throughout their history. Not national parliaments but historians should deal with such events.''
     Referring to Turkey's EU membership bid, Arinc said, ''relations between Turkey and the EU have been continuing for the last four decades. On December 17th, the EU decided to open entry talks with Turkey on October 3rd 2005. However, both public opinions and politicians of some European countries are opposed to Turkey's membership. Some of them are against enlargement of the EU while the others think that Turkey's predominantly Muslim population would contradict the EU. These are prejudices.''
     ''In fact, Turkey-EU relations are based on mutual interests. Turkey will make important contributions to the EU. Negotiation process will start on October 3rd. We know that the process will last for a long time and will not be easy at all,'' Arinc added.
     Arinc will proceed to Sidney on Friday. He is expected to return to Turkey on Saturday.
     (UK-MS)
2005-05-12