Turkish MFA: intellectuals' apology demonstration of freedom of speech

PanARMENIAN.Net - Burak Ozugergin, spokesperson for the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman said Wednesday that the apology campaign for the Armenian Genocide and the following counter campaign launched by retired diplomats should be viewed within the scope of freedom of speech.



Commenting on the issue at a press briefing at the Turkish Foreign Ministry in Ankara, Ozuergin said both campaigns were privately initiated noting that they did not inspire nor would react to both campaigns. Ozugergin said that "Turkey's stance on the 1915 incidents" is well known by everybody and noted that all kinds of topics should be discussed freely in Turkey.



"However our foreign policy is not fragile to shift as a result of daily debates. We will continue to act on principles," said Ozugergin, the Anatolian Agency reports.



Over 10 thousand people have already signed the public apology for Armenian Genocide, which says, "My conscience does not accept the insensitivity showed to and the denial of the Great Catastrophe that the Ottoman Armenians were subjected to in 1915. I reject this injustice and for my share, I empathize with the feelings and pain of my Armenian brothers. I apologize to them."