December 19, 2008 - 15:06 AMT
Gul: Armenian apology campaign sign of Turkish people's reconciliation with their history
The Turkish army slammed Friday the online public apology to Armenians.

"This move will have harmful consequences," Brigadier General Metin Gurak said.

Meanwhile, the presidential press center has said that President Abdullah Gul eyes recent discussions in the Turkish public opinion and academic circles over the 1915 events as a sign of existence of a democratic discussion atmosphere in Turkey which is more civilized and freer than in many other countries and as Turkish people's reconciliation with their history and their self-confidence.

The center also expressed President Gul's profound regret that the issue was distorted for some political purposes, although his views are well-known, Hurriyet Daily News reports.

Some 14 thousand people have already signed the online public apology for the Armenian Genocide.

To counterbalance the campaign, activists of Sabanci University launched a website with photos of Khojalu to demand pardon from Armenians. The number of petition signatories exceeds 40 thousand.