July 26, 2005 - 09:11 AMT
ARMENIAN ISSUE STILL KEEPS TURKISH-SWISS RELATIONS TENSE
Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul has censured Switzerland's actions aimed against Turkish politician Dogu Perincek, the Chairman of the Workers' Party of Turkey. It should be noted that addressing an event in Lausanne celebrating the 82nd anniversary of the signing of the Lausanne Treaty, Mr. Dogu Perincek called the Armenian Genocide «a lie of imperialists.» For that act he was taken delivered to a police department. It should be noted that publicly denying the Armenian Genocide is considered a penal action in Switzerland. As noted by Gul, such actions do not suit a country like Switzerland and he cannot imagine Turkey will put up with actions of the type regarding the Chairman of the political party. The relations between Turkey and Switzerland and Turkey were tense even since the beginning of the trial of Turkish historian Yusuf Galagoglu, who is also known for his anti-Armenian statements. It is not known yet whether the visit of Swiss Federal Councilor Joseph Deiss to Turkey scheduled in September will take place or not. The Turkish party has yet not confirmed the visit, which has been doubtful for a month and a half, the Associated Press reported.