Istanbul hosts protest rally against Erdogan’s anti-Armenian jibeAugust 9, 2014 - 17:03 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Istanbul hosted a protest rally over Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's insulting remark about Armenians, Demokrathaber reported. The rally participants, including Turkey’s Armenian community, Nor Zartonk movement, Peoples' Democratic Party members, staged an anti-Erdogan action outside of the editorial office of Agos Turkish-Armenian daily. The demonstrators slammed the presidential candidate’s racist remarks as an affront to Armenian identity, also characterizing Erdogan’s jibe as politically motivated in order to score nationalist votes at the oncoming polls. Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan faced accusations of racism days before he stands in presidential elections after saying in a television interview that it was ugly to be called an Armenian. During a live interview on the private NTV channel late Tuesday, Erdogan complained that the opposition was carrying out a smear campaign against him by claiming that he was from another ethnic origin. "They called me a Georgian. Pardon me for saying this, but they said even uglier things: They called me an Armenian!" Erdogan said. "As far as I have learned from my father and grandfather, I am a Turk," he added. His comment that it was ugly to be called an Armenian drew anger on social media, further inflaming tensions days ahead of presidential election. Top stories Six total incidents have burned 19 old-growth trees. Friday night 8 trees were torched along the beautiful main entrance. The EU does not intend to conduct military exercises with Armenia, Lead Spokesperson for EU Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Peter Stano says. Hikmet Hajiyev has said that there is no place for USAID operation in Azerbaijan any longer. A telephone conversation between Putin and Pashinyan before the CSTO summit is not planned, Peskov says. Partner news | Armenia offers to temporarily host, preserve Gaza manuscripts The Armenian Foreign Minister has said Yerevan is ready to help preserve manuscripts from the conflict zone in Gaza. Aram I supports Karekin II’s “patriotic position” Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia Aram I has expressed support for the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. Government reveals details from Pashinyan’s meeting in border village Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has met with a group of residents of a border village in Armenia’s northern Tavush province Narek Manasyan wins European Boxing Championships silver for Armenia Armenia’s Narek Manasyan (92kg) won Armenia’s second silver medal at the European Boxing Championships 2024 on April 28. |