RESPONSE BY BAGIS TO BUSH'S MESSAGE ON APRIL 24TH
Like every year President Bush issued a message on the so called Armenian genocide day April the 24th and claimed that many Armenians were force out to live from their motherland and spread around the world.
Responding to Bush's message Egemen Bagis expressed in a written message that he is distressed by the message of the US President and added that instead of solving the Armenian issue, comments like these might create new arguments. Should the debate on motherlands begin in the region, Turks and Turkic kin would bring about anti theses and this would definitely initiate an undesirable period. Bagis also said that the US administration would probably not want to start an unfortunate argument about the ownership of the Anatolia.
Bagis added that he is happy not to hear the Armenian genocide phrase in Bush's message. Furthermore, Bagis stated that the fact that the alleged Armenian genocide draft resolution that was expected to pass the Congress on April 24th, has not even been added to the agenda of the lower commission, is a proof that this message should be considered as a "salute to voters" for domestic politics. Noting that Prime Minister Erdogan, Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul, Chief of General Staff General Yasar Buyukanit and 3 Parliamentary delegations visits and efforts have prevented this issue to pass from Congress, Bagis also said that once again it has been proven that results are established by persistent steps taken and added "In any case, we regret to see the signature of our friend and ally, the US President, below the statement which clearly is under the influence of one sided claims."