Turkish pres defends apology campaign to Armenians

The efforts of around 200 Turkish academics, writers and journalists to issue an apology to the Armenians drew fierce reaction in the country.   Â

Retired diplomats and ambassadors issued on Monday a response to the attempt, saying the campaign is "unfair, wrong and unfavorable for the national interests".

Gul's remarks came during a joint press conference with his Bulgarian counterpart Georgi Parvanov. The two leaders discussed regional and international issues and opportunities for cooperation in relevant fields.

Armenia, with the backing of the diaspora, claims up to 1.5 million of their kin were slaughtered in orchestrated killings in 1915.Turkey rejects the claims saying that 300,000 Armenians, along with at least as many Turks, died in civil strife that emerged when Armenians took up arms, backed by Russia, for independence in eastern Anatolia.

 

The issue remains unsolved as Armenia drags its feet in accepting Turkey's proposal of forming a commission to investigate the claims.