Armenian issue still keeps Turkish-Swiss relations tense

PanArmenian News Network
July 26 2005

ARMENIAN ISSUE STILL KEEPS TURKISH-SWISS RELATIONS TENSE

26.07.2005 04:11

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul has censured
Switzerland’s actions aimed against Turkish politician Dogu Perincek,
the Chairman of the Workers’ Party of Turkey. It should be noted that
addressing an event in Lausanne celebrating the 82nd anniversary of
the signing of the Lausanne Treaty, Mr. Dogu Perincek called the
Armenian Genocide «a lie of imperialists.» For that act he was taken
delivered to a police department. It should be noted that publicly
denying the Armenian Genocide is considered a penal action in
Switzerland. As noted by Gul, such actions do not suit a country like
Switzerland and he cannot imagine Turkey will put up with actions of
the type regarding the Chairman of the political party. The relations
between Turkey and Switzerland and Turkey were tense even since the
beginning of the trial of Turkish historian Yusuf Galagoglu, who is
also known for his anti-Armenian statements. It is not known yet
whether the visit of Swiss Federal Councilor Joseph Deiss to Turkey
scheduled in September will take place or not. The Turkish party has
yet not confirmed the visit, which has been doubtful for a month and
a half, the Associated Press reported.