July 29, 2005 - 09:58 AMT
ARMENIAN ISSUE: SWITZERLAND SURPRISED AT TURKEY'S PROTESTS
Federal department of the Swiss Foreign Ministry supported the adaptability of the Swiss legislative against Chairman of the Turkish Labor Party Dogu Perincek, who has publicly denied the Armenian Genocide, Tagblatt daily reports. After the Turkish Foreign Ministry subjected to sharp criticism Swiss Ambassador to Turkey Walter B. Gyger met with the head of the Swiss MFA department of foreign affairs, who was extremely surprised at the ongoing protests of the Turkish party. The Swiss Penal Code says that denial, understatement or approval of genocide and crimes against humanity are penal actions. Nevertheless Switzerland welcomed the proposal by the Turkish government on formation of a joint Armenian-Turkish commission to investigate the fact of the Armenian Genocide.