Monday, July 9, 2007

Turkey made a protest to its neighbor and regional rival Greece Saturday because a map shown during an official seminar organized by the Greek Chief of general Staff, divided Turkey into parts.

The incident occurred late Friday in Athens during a seminar where Turkey's Military Attaché Colonel Atilla Şirin was also present. A civilian participant, professor Mazis, whose first name was not quoted in the press reports, showed a map identifying Turkey's southeastern region as "Kurdistan" during the seminar.

Colonel Şirin immediately protested to professor Mazis and the organizers of the seminar and left the hall, daily Hürriyet reported yesterday.

Yorgo Yenimatas, Greece's Ambassador to Ankara was summoned to the Foreign Ministry Saturday and a protest was made by Haydar Berk, undersecretary of the ministry over the incident. Berk asked Yenimatas that such incidents not be repeated in the future and reminded him of Turkey's eagerness to continue good relations with Greece.

It is learnt that Turkey has also asked Greece for an official apology, underlining that the incident occurred during a seminar held by the Greek Chief of General Staff. Professor Mazis works for The Institute of Defense Analysis in Athens, founded by the Greek Defense Ministry.