  Turkish PM apologizes for 1930s Kurdish mass killings November 23, 2011 - 20:08 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has apologized for the killing of more than 13,000 Kurds by the Turkish military in the late 1930s. He is the first Turkish leader to make the apology. The killings occurred when the army crushed a Kurdish rebellion in Dersim, using aerial bombings and poison gas. Mr Erdogan made the unexpected apology during a meeting of party officials in the Turkish capital Ankara. "If there is need for an apology on behalf of the state, if there is such a practice in the books, I would apologize and I am apologizing," Mr. Erdogan said in remarks which were televised. The killings took place between 1936 and 1939 when the Kurdish population of the Southeastern region of Dersim, now known as Tunceli, resisted the efforts of the newly formed Turkish republic to exert its authority there, BBC reported.   Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads.   Partner news |  Latest news 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.Blinken urges Azerbaijan to continue negotiations with Armenia Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken has urged Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to continue negotiations with Armenia.Pashinyan, Blinken talk Armenia-U.S. ties over the phone Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan had a phone conversation with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on April 28, Pashinyan’s office reports.Titus, Bilirakis lead legislation to sanction Azerbaijani war criminals Representatives Dina Titus (D-NV) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) have introduced the bipartisan legislation. |
