Anadolu Agency: News in English, 98-05-29

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From: The Anadolu Agency Home Page at <http://www.anadoluajansi.gov.tr/>

29 MAY 1998

CONTENTS

[01] HAKTANIR, THE FOREIGN MINISTRY UNDERSECRETARY IN SLOVENIA

[02] SOLANA, SECRETARY GENERAL OF NATO: - ''CONTACTS CONTINUE IN ORDER TO TAKE CONFIDENCE-BUILDING MEASURES BETWEEN TURKEY AND GREECE''

[03] EUROPEAN TRANSPORTATION MINISTERS CONGRESS - MENZIR, MINISTER OF TRANSPORTATION ''WE WILL BRING X-2001 TRAIN TO TURKEY''

[04] STATE MINISTER GUREL: - ''THOSE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DRAFT LAW CONCERNING THE SO-CALLED GENOCIDE ON ARMENIANS SHOULD HAVE THOUGHT ABOUT RELATIONS WITH TURKEY''

[05] NUCLEAR MISFORTUNE OF TURKEY - TURKEY TAKES OVER TERM PRESIDENCY OF DISARMAMENT CONFERENCE AS PAKISTAN AND INDIA HOLD NUCLEAR WEAPONS TESTS

[06] GENOCIDE ON ARMENIANS ALLEGATIONS - ARCHBISHOP MUTAFYAN: ''DRAFT RESOLUTION THAT WILL BE DISCUSSED IN FRENCH PARLIAMENT MADE US FEEL UNEASY AS WELL AS TURKISH CITIZENS''

[07] ABKHAZIA PROBLEM - TURKEY SUPPORTS PEACEFUL SOLUTION AND CEASE-FIRE

[08] KINKEL, GERMAN FOREIGN MINISTER: ''RELATIONS WITH TURKEY ARE IMPORTANT''

[09] BILATERAL CONTACTS OF FM CEM - SEEKING SPECIAL COOPERATION WITH CANADA

[10] ADMIRAL DERVISOGLU, CHIEF COMMANDER OF NAVAL FORCES, IN ALBANIA - ADMIRAL DERVISOGLU DELIVERS THE EQUIPMENT THAT TURKEY SENT TO ALBANIA

[11] THIRD EURASIA ISLAMIC COUNCIL ENDS - TURKEY TO DETERMINE RELIGIOUS DAYS AND HOLIDAYS

[12] ARMENIAN DELEGATION'S PRESS CONFERENCE - ARMENIAN MINISTER OF INDUSTRY AND TRADE NANAGOULLIAN: - ''WE DON'T WANT OUR BILATERAL RELATIONS TO BE FORMED BY THIRD COUNTRIES''

[13] GERMAN ELECTRO CYCLING COMPANY SEEKS TURKEY'S ELECTRONIC WASTE

[14] AZERBAIJANI JOURNALISTS IN THE TRNC - DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER SERDAR DENKTAS: - ''WE WANT TO IMPROVE RELATIONS WITH AZERBAIJAN''

[15] RECENT SITUATION IN FLOOD DISASTER REGION - IT WAS REPORTED THAT ALL REQUIREMENTS OF DISASTER REGION ARE MET

[16] HISTORICAL WORKS OF ART OPERATION - 171 HISTORICAL WORKS OF ART SEIZED - 11 PEOPLE CAPTURED IN CONNECTION WITH THE INCIDENT

[17] PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ RECEIVES IRANIAN AND PAKISTANI AMBASSADORS

[18] TURKEY IN BRIEF - MAY 29, 1998

[19] REACTION TO DRAFT RESOLUTION RELATED TO THE SO-CALLED GENOCIDE ON ARMENIANS - SUSLU, DIRECTOR OF ATATURK RESEARCH CENTER: ''THESE FRIENDS SHOULD LOOK AT THEIR SKELETONS IN THE CLOSET''

[01] HAKTANIR, THE FOREIGN MINISTRY UNDERSECRETARY IN SLOVENIA

The Foreign Ministry stated that the meeting focused on regional issues including the problems of Kosovo and Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Haktanir's visit to Slovenia aims at increasing cooperation between the two countries in the fields of tourism, transportation, contracting, the banking sector, science and small and medium-scale enterprises (KOBI).

In the statement of the Foreign Ministry, it was reported that the Joint Transportation Commission will meet in July, and flights between Turkey and Ljubljana will begin after the Parliament approves the Civil Aviation Agreement which was signed in April 1997.

[02] SOLANA, SECRETARY GENERAL OF NATO: - ''CONTACTS CONTINUE IN ORDER TO TAKE CONFIDENCE-BUILDING MEASURES BETWEEN TURKEY AND GREECE''

Responding to a Greek journalist who asked during the Council of Ministers meeting in Luxembourg if they would reach a conclusion on the issue by the Washington Summit next year, Solana said, ''we hope to reach a concrete result before the Washington Summit.''

Meanwhile Madeleine Albright, the US Secretary of State, mentioned the relations with Turkey in the framework of the expansions of both the NATO and the European Union at the NATO Council in Luxembourg.

Noting that the US fully supports the expansion of the EU, Albright pointed out that they want all European countries including Turkey to be included in this expansion process.

Albright said that the EU should take action quickly, and warned the Union that the NATO can't guarantee military security in a situation where there is no economic security.

Pointing out that the NATO previously protected its borders against a direct military attack, Albright said that the NATO will turn towards protecting its expanded borders in the near future against weapons of mass destruction, ethnical terrorism and regional clashes.

[03] EUROPEAN TRANSPORTATION MINISTERS CONGRESS - MENZIR, MINISTER OF TRANSPORTATION ''WE WILL BRING X-2001 TRAIN TO TURKEY''

Speaking to reporters at Istanbul's Ataturk Airport, Menzir said that the infrastructure systems on railroads, their rehabilitation and highway transportation were discussed at the congress.

Recalling that Turkey was one of the countries having the largest highway truck squadron in Europe, Menzir said he held contacts to give one year visas to the Turkish truck drivers who engage in transports to the European countries.

Menzir said that he made observations in the tube tunnel during his stay in Denmark, adding that his observations were beneficial for the tube tunnel planned to be constructed at the Istanbul Straits.

Menzir said he later proceeded to Sweden and saw the X-2001 train. Production of this train is underway in the city of Malmo. Menzir said that one of these trains will be brought to Turkey and will be tried between Ankara and Istanbul.

[04] STATE MINISTER GUREL: - ''THOSE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DRAFT LAW CONCERNING THE SO-CALLED GENOCIDE ON ARMENIANS SHOULD HAVE THOUGHT ABOUT RELATIONS WITH TURKEY''

Addressing the journalists after the meeting with Atsuku Toyama, the Japanese Ambassador to Turkey, Gurel pointed out that it isn't acceptable that such an allegation was brought onto the agenda by countries which are known to be friends of Turkey.

He added, ''Turkey has never welcomed the acceptance the decisions which evaluated the historical facts incorrectly, by the parliaments of countries which she has accepted as friendly countries, and she won't welcome them in the future.''

[05] NUCLEAR MISFORTUNE OF TURKEY - TURKEY TAKES OVER TERM PRESIDENCY OF DISARMAMENT CONFERENCE AS PAKISTAN AND INDIA HOLD NUCLEAR WEAPONS TESTS

Murat Sungar, Turkey's Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva, took over the Term Presidency of the 60-member Disarmament Conference on behalf of Turkey.

Speaking at the UN, Sungar said that although Turkey has been a member of the Disarmament Conference since 1996, with her observer status, she has assumed active roles in activities in the fields of disarmament.

Sungar said ''as a requirement of the security and foreign policy interests, Turkey has attributed great importance to this conference which is the only multilateral negotiation forum for the control of arms and the disarmament field.''

Diplomatic sources said that within the framework of recent developments, the assignment given to the Presidency in the field of nuclear disarmament has a special priority.

The Disarmament Conference is trying to assure the adoption of important agreements at the global level.

[06] GENOCIDE ON ARMENIANS ALLEGATIONS - ARCHBISHOP MUTAFYAN: ''DRAFT RESOLUTION THAT WILL BE DISCUSSED IN FRENCH PARLIAMENT MADE US FEEL UNEASY AS WELL AS TURKISH CITIZENS''

The written statement which carried the signature of Mesrob Mutafyan, the Archbishop of the Armenian Patriarch in Turkey said ''the draft resolution in question, which will be discussed in the French Parliament, made us feel uneasy like every Turkish citizen. We think that such issues dedicated to history should be left to the historians. We wish that such historical issues shouldn't be brought to the political platforms and that people should be careful not to distort international relations and balances and that the sides should refrain from attitudes and approaches which will cast a shadow on the peace of our people.''

He said ''our prayers are for the happiness and peace of our people.''

[07] ABKHAZIA PROBLEM - TURKEY SUPPORTS PEACEFUL SOLUTION AND CEASE-FIRE

Necati Utkan, the Spokesman of the Foreign Ministry, noted that Turkey wants the necessary steps to be taken for refugees to return to their homes and ending the terrorist activities in the region.

Reminding that clashes began in the Gali region on May 19 between the Abkhaz militias and armed Georgian groups, Utkan noted that the sides decided on a cease-fire on May 25. He added that they were given information about the sides abiding by the cease-fire and the forces began to withdraw from the region.

Utkan also reminded that in the statement of the United Nations Secretariat it was reported that nearly 20 thousand Georgian people were forced to leave their homes in the Gali region during the clashes.

[08] KINKEL, GERMAN FOREIGN MINISTER: ''RELATIONS WITH TURKEY ARE IMPORTANT''

Kinkel identified his meeting with Cem as ''constructive and sincere'', adding that he didn't want to give wrong hopes regarding the Turkish- European Union (EU) relations and added that determining steps would be taken in case Turkey accepts bringing the problems to the International Court of Justice in the Hague.

Kinkel said that the joint desire of Ankara and Bonn was to bring bilateral relations to their past positive level, adding ''our relations aren't only based on history, but our economic, political and humanitarian relations are very important.''

Stressing that excitement and emotion wouldn't help the improvement of the sides, Kinkel defended that Turkey gradually understands better the outcomes of the Luxembourg Summit and expressed belief that relations will be improved through political dialogue. He also expressed belief that political dialogue would be developed.

Kinkel refrained from speaking about the details of the Cardiff Summit and asked the reporters who asked questions to this end to be ''patient.''

[09] BILATERAL CONTACTS OF FM CEM - SEEKING SPECIAL COOPERATION WITH CANADA

Cem said that he met the Canadian Minister in Ankara a while ago and that the first steps of the cooperation in question were taken at that time.

Stressing that Canada is a very large market and that she was important for Turkey, Cem said, ''we are searching for special ways to increase trade between the two countries.''

Cem said that the Canadian Deputy Minister of Trade will come to Ankara next week and that he would pay an official visit to Canada in the near future, adding that he believed that positive outcomes would be achieved in case a special cooperation is realized between Turkey and Canada.

Cem said that during his bilateral meeting with Hans Van Mierlo, the Dutch Foreign Minister, they evaluated relations between the two countries and negotiated what the Hague could do due to Turkey's relations with the EU.

Noting that during his contacts he mentioned the Turkish-Greek relations, Cem said, ''I especially mentioned in each of the talks that Greece doesn't have anything to say on the subject of Turkey, just as the EU countries don't have anything to say to Turkey about the subject of Greece. We have conveyed this very well.''

Foreign Minister Cem is scheduled to meet on Friday with Madeleine Albright, the US Secretary of State.

[10] ADMIRAL DERVISOGLU, CHIEF COMMANDER OF NAVAL FORCES, IN ALBANIA - ADMIRAL DERVISOGLU DELIVERS THE EQUIPMENT THAT TURKEY SENT TO ALBANIA

Admiral Dervisoglu, Ahmet Nihat Okcun, the Turkish Ambassador to Albania and senior military officials joined the ceremony which was organized in Durres town for the delivery of the equipment.

Addressing the ceremony, Admiral Dervisoglu said that the friendly relations between Turkey and Albania have historical bases, and added that Turkey wants to improve cooperative relations with Albania.

Colonel Mehmet Musay the Albanian Deputy Chief of General Staff, said that Turkey's aid will be helpful for the Albanian Army's development, which was negatively affected by the dispute last year.

Turkey sent a minibus, an ambulance, kitchen equipment for 120 people, 350 uniforms, sports equipment and computers to Albania.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Agriculture sent 5 bulldozers, 4 graders and a loader to Albania.

Admiral Dervisoglu proceeded after the ceremony to the town of Vlora on the Black Sea Frigate, which is on duty in Italy in the scope of the NATO. He made observations in the town.

[11] THIRD EURASIA ISLAMIC COUNCIL ENDS - TURKEY TO DETERMINE RELIGIOUS DAYS AND HOLIDAYS

The Third Eurasia Islamic Council concluded activities on Thursday. In the last session of the council ''Procedures and Principles that will be Implemented for Religious Days and Holidays'' were discussed. The participating countries unanimously decided that the Department of Religious Affairs will specify the days.

Mehmet Nuri Yilmaz, the Chairman of the Department of Religious Affairs told the afternoon session that the Moslem countries should claim the ownership of their mutual values.

Yilmaz requested that the Fourth Eurasia Islamic Council should convene in Bosnia-Herzegovina and this proposal was adopted by the representatives of the Council.

[12] ARMENIAN DELEGATION'S PRESS CONFERENCE - ARMENIAN MINISTER OF INDUSTRY AND TRADE NANAGOULLIAN: - ''WE DON'T WANT OUR BILATERAL RELATIONS TO BE FORMED BY THIRD COUNTRIES''

Addressing a press conference, Nanagoullian and Sergei Manasaryan, the Armenian Deputy Foreign Minister who are in Istanbul to attend the ''Crossroads of the World'' conference organized by the US Trade and Development Agency (TDA), noted that Armenia is the most liberal and democratic country among the former Soviet Republics.

Pointing out that the businessmen from both countries trade via third countries, Nanagoullian said, ''I hope Turkey and Armenia will overcome their problems in the near future and improve their economic relations.'' He added that his country's attitude on the Sarp Border Gate is clear and they are ready to negotiate without any pre-conditions.

Responding to a question about ''the draft law foreseeing the recognition by the French Parliament of the so-called genocide on the Armenians'', Nanagoullian said, ''I don't want to talk about an issue that interests the French Parliament, but I can say that I came together with a Turkish businessman at the dinner and he told me 'Turkey and Armenia are lasting neighbour states'. The two countries have a joint history and the problems between them can't be solved by ignoring the historical facts.''

Sergei Manasaryan, the Armenian Deputy Foreign Minister, said that Armenia is ready to negotiate with her neighbouring countries, including Turkey. He added that there is no official development on the purchase of the S-300 missiles from Russia, noting, ''these are only allegations and rumors.''

[13] GERMAN ELECTRO CYCLING COMPANY SEEKS TURKEY'S ELECTRONIC WASTE

Georg Frochlich and Thomas Henze, the administrators of the company stressed that electronic waste which they identified as ''the greatest enemy of nature'' was stored in Turkey, pointing out that storing of electronic waste would create serious problems in the future. They said, '' the Electro Cycling Company wants to buy these wastes. We present the electronic wastes again for the use of industry after processing it and we contribute to the prevention of the pollution of nature.''

German administrators said the annual total of the electronic waste reached 1.5 million tons in Germany ''this electronic waste is composed of devices like the business vehicles, TVs and computers. Most of these devices are thrown into the rubbish in which other house garbage is thrown. According to our investigations, this is more grave in Turkey. Turkey has to prevent this.''

The Electro Cycling Company is known as one of the largest installations in Europe in this field.

The company provides for the recycling of the 30,000 tons of electronic waste after processing it and presents it to the use of industry again.

[14] AZERBAIJANI JOURNALISTS IN THE TRNC - DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER SERDAR DENKTAS: - ''WE WANT TO IMPROVE RELATIONS WITH AZERBAIJAN''

Addressing the meeting, Denktas told the reporters that they want their relations with Azerbaijan to be improved, adding that commercial representations between the two countries can be opened in this framework.

Reminding that the TRNC was among the countries which first recognized the Republic of Azerbaijan, Denktas emphasized the importance of the recognition of the TRNC by the Turkish Republics.

Noting that the TRNC wants to cooperate in the fields of policy, culture and economy with Azerbaijan, Denktas stressed that tourism links can be set up between Azerbaijan and the TRNC with the help of the press.

[15] RECENT SITUATION IN FLOOD DISASTER REGION - IT WAS REPORTED THAT ALL REQUIREMENTS OF DISASTER REGION ARE MET

The Center statement stressed that for the first time in the history of the Republic, all the institutions of the state, with a coordination which provided an emergency intervention for the crisis.

''All the necessary equipment, technical supplies and personnel were sent to the disaster region in a very short time, mobilizing all the possibilities of the state and an increase in the losses and problems were prevented,'' it added.

It said that 18 people died and four people were lost in the flood disaster in Hatay, Bolu, Sakarya, Bartin and Zonguldak so far. Activities are underway to repair the telephone lines.

The statement said that the problems related to transportation, communications and equipment were gradually being solved and that activities were underway to specify the shortage of potable water and the cost of the damage.

The statement said that four Casa type planes, a total of 24 helicopters, one frigate, three assault boats, one Naval Forces helicopter, SAT and SAS commandos were assigned to the disaster region.

A total of 91 bridges, 4,550 meters of retaining walls and 5,883 culverts were damaged due to the flood.

A forum was established to prevent microbic diseases in potable water, solid waste and to destroy the garbage and the animals which died due to the flood.

The Red Crescent sent 14,280 blankets, 2,285 tents, 860 clothes, three water tanks, 41,000 loaves of bread, 121,126 kg of foodstuffs, 6,050 eggs, 117 packages of medicine and 22 beds to the region. The cost of the aid sent to the region is 200 billion Turkish Liras.

The total cost of the money that will be spent in the disaster region to finish services there is 610 billion Turkish Liras. The estimated total for necessities is 78 trillion Turkish Liras.

The State Water Works (DSI) is waiting for the water to recede in order to make a sounder determination of the damage.

The situation of damage-devastation in Hatay, Zonguldak, Sakarya, Bolu, Kastamonu, Karabuk, Samsun and Bartin is as follows:

SETTLEMENTS INUNDATED : 461
HOUSES AND BUSINESS PLACES INUNDATED: 9,411
DWELLINGS RECEIVING DAMAGE : 3,605
DWELLINGS TOTALLY DESTROYED : 448

[16] HISTORICAL WORKS OF ART OPERATION - 171 HISTORICAL WORKS OF ART SEIZED - 11 PEOPLE CAPTURED IN CONNECTION WITH THE INCIDENT

The Istanbul Security Department statement said that they seized 171 pieces of glassware, buttons, earrings, bracelets, pins, rings, statues, spoons, forks made of silver, gold, bronze and glass in the operation staged at a business place in Istanbul.

[17] PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ RECEIVES IRANIAN AND PAKISTANI AMBASSADORS

Addressing the journalists after the meeting, Humayun Han Bengas, the Pakistani Ambassador to Turkey, said that he gave information about the nuclear tests conducted in Pakistan yesterday.

Noting that India works on the forbidden nuclear test programme and conducts underground nuclear tests, Bengas told the reporters that the international community reacted to the nuclear tests of India and afterwards Pakistan.

Bengas pointed out that bilateral relations between Turkey and Pakistan were also discussed at the meeting, and added that relations of the two countries should be discussed in the historical framework.

Lavasani, the Iranian Ambassador to Turkey, told the reporters that he had a positive meeting with Yilmaz.

[18] TURKEY IN BRIEF - MAY 29, 1998

Hikmet Cetin, the Speaker of the Parliament, Ismet Sezgin, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence, Murat Basesgioglu, the Minister of the Interior, Cumhur Ersumer, the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources and senior officials also attended the reception.

Rauf Denktas, the President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), sent a message to Haydar Aliyev, the President of Azerbaijan, to congratulate him on the 80th anniversary of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

LEFKOSA - Rauf Denktas, the President of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), received on Thursday the US senators who came to the TRNC to make observations.

Addressing the meeting with Don Nickles, the Republican Party Senator from Oklahoma, and Joseph Lieberman, the Democratic Party Senator from Connecticut, Denktas explained the TRNC's attitude about the Cyprus problem.

Denktas emphasized that only way is state to state negotiations.

ISTANBUL - A group of women who claim that their children are missing after they were taken into custody, described themselves as ''the Argentine Mothers of Missing Persons'' came to Istanbul on Thursday as the guest of the Human Rights Associations to give support to the ''Saturday Mothers of Missing Persons''.

Addressing the journalists at tha Ataturk Airport, the Argentines said they aim to make known to the world public opinion about the missing persons.

They told the reporters that they support the democratic struggle of all the mothers.

EDIRNE - Security forces seized on Thursday 80 thousand Captagon pills hidden in a car, which is being used as drug and stimulant, worth 150 billion Turkish Liras, at the Kapikule Border Gate in Edirne Province.

Syrian Sadek Ismail and Bulgarian Beyhan Zald were taken into custody.

The investigation regarding the drugs is underway.

DIYARBAKIR - Eleven terrorists were killed during the operations in Batman Province of the Southeastern Anatolia region.

Two security forces lost their lives during the clashes with terrorists.

The military operation against the terrorists continues in the region.

ANKARA - The Athletics Federation said on Thursday that 81 athletes will represent Turkey at the several competitions abroad between May 30 and June 7.

A total of 38 athletes will participate at the ''Bruno Zauli'' Europe Nations Cup competitions in Yugoslavia between June 6-7. A group of 32 athletes will represent Turkey at the Youth Tournament in Greece between May 30-31. Also, seven athletes will go to Bosnia-Herzegovina to participate at the Bosnia Tournament on May 30 and 7 others to Austria on May 31.

ANKARA - The Turkish State Railways (TCDD) will organize two tours with the names of ''Eastern Black Sea and Silk Road Tour'' and ''Nemrut-GAP Tour'', it was reported on Friday. The former one will be held between August 21-30 and the latter between September 18-23.

The ''Eastern Black Sea and Silk Road Tour'' will be last for 8 days and will comprise the touristic and historical places on the route of Istanbul, Eskisehir, Ankara, Kayseri, Sivas, Erzincan, Bayburt, Gumushane, Trabzon and Rize.

The ''Nemrut-Gap Tour'' will last for 5 days and starts from Istanbul and will comprise Eskisehir, Ankara, Adiyaman, Sanliurfa and Gaziantep.

ANKARA - Hikmet Cetin, the Speaker of the Parliament, will go to Italy on Saturday to participate at the Mediterranean Countries and European Parliament (EP) Speakers of the Parliament Conference.

Cetin will proceed to Palermo from Rome on Sunday and will participate at a reception that will be hosted by Sen. Nicola Mancina, the Chairman of the Italian Republican Senate and Luciano Violante, the Italian Speaker of the Parliament.

The Mediterranean Countries and EP Speakers of the Parliament Conference will start on June 1. The role of the Mediterranean countries in the European-Mediterranean partnership, trade and financial cooperation, immigration waves, support that will be extended to economic reforms and cooperation in the socio-cultural fields and the human rights issue will be discussed during the meeting.

Also a report related to the outcomes of a meeting which was attended by the representatives of the European Parliament and the Malta Parliament held in La Valetta between May 25 and 26 will be discussed.

Cetin will return to Turkey on June 2.

[19] REACTION TO DRAFT RESOLUTION RELATED TO THE SO-CALLED GENOCIDE ON ARMENIANS - SUSLU, DIRECTOR OF ATATURK RESEARCH CENTER: ''THESE FRIENDS SHOULD LOOK AT THEIR SKELETONS IN THE CLOSET''

Speaking to the A.A correspondent, Suslu recalled that the so-called genocide allegations were brought onto the agenda in the US Congress and European countries especially during election periods. Noting that this wasn't the first time this issue was brought onto the agenda in France, Suslu said this was aimed at the vote potentials of the Armenians.

Pointing out that the Turkish-French friendly relations based on history could be damaged by such kind of methods, Suslu said, ''the issue was illuminated by the historians of Europe, the US and Russia.'' Suslu said there was no period in Turkish History of which to feel ashamed related to the minorities, adding ''they have been launching searches about the so- called genocide on Armenians for almost a century, but they couldn't find any evidence.''

Suslu said that the inhumane implementations of the French soldiers in the NATO Peace Forces to the Moslems in Bosnia-Herzegovina, and to the colonies in Asia and Africa weren't erased from the memories.

Meanwhile, Prof. Dr. Enver Konukcu, a teaching staff member of the History Department at the Ataturk University said that the draft resolution adopted at the French Parliament won't bind Turkey.

Konukcu said this won't go beyond an allegation and that there was no historical evidence on the issue.

Konukcu requested the French Parliament to voice the genocide implemented on the Turkish people, adding that there were lots of documents related to the genocide Armenia implemented on Turks after 1915 in the Eastern Anatolia provinces which were under Russian occupation.

He said there were lots of mass graves in the region. The world knows it very well. ''We couldn't get a response to the requests which we made to the scientists abroad related to the excavations.''

Konukcu said they should come and see the facts. This draft resolution isn't based on a document or information.

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