Talat Pasha Movement angers Germany

http://www.thenewanatolian.com/tna-662.html

The New Anatolian / Ankara
18 Feb. 2006

Perincek and Denktas to lead protest in Berlin on March 18 to denounce Armenian genocide claims. Announcement for demonstration says, 'If Western capitals don't want to be burnt like Paris, unjust treatment towards Turkey should be ended,' which angers Germany

A demonstration aimed at denouncing the Armenian genocide claims, to be held in Berlin on March 18 under the slogan "Take your flag and come to Berlin," is sowing tension between Turkey and Germany.

The announcement for the demonstration read, "If Western capitals don't want to be burnt like Paris, unjust treatment towards Turkey should be ended" and has angered Germany and German Embassy officials in Ankara held talks with Turkish officials over the issue this week.

Workers' Party (IP) leader Dogu Perincek and former Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Rauf Denktas will lead the planned demonstration with the participation of many representatives from Turkish political parties. The main aim of the group is to put pressure on the German Parliament to null or void recognition of the Armenian genocide claims. The initiative of the group, also known as the "Talat Pasha Movement," also aims to attract some 5 million supporters, including some 1,000 from Turkey. The slogans for the demonstration are "Take your flag and come to Berlin" and "End the Armenian 'genocide' lies."

One of the leaders of the group, Denktas, is expected to lay flowers where Talat Pasha was assassinated on March 15, 1921 in Berlin by an Armenian and a general assembly to commemorate Talat Pasha is scheduled to be held in Berlin on March 19.

The same group last year also held a demonstration to mark the 82nd anniversary of the Treaty of Lausanne. At that demonstration Perincek lashed out at a decision by Switzerland to punish those who deny the Armenian genocide claims, saying, "The Armenian 'genocide' is an international lie," after which the prosecutor from Winterthur opened an investigation into Perincek and the incident turned into a diplomatic crisis between Turkey and Switzerland.