Greece: Muslim leader rejects racist remarks by ex-FM

By Mehmet Hatipoglu

KOMOTINI, Greece

A Muslim Turk representative in Greece on Wednesday denounced racist remarks by former Greek Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos.

Pangalos, who was foreign minister from 1996-99, said “the only good Turk is a dead Turk” on a radio program last week.

Mustafa Alicavus, the chairman of the Friendship, Equality and Peace Party, told Anadolu Agency that the remarks were “unacceptable racist and fascist expressions”.

Alicavus said he had submitted a petition against the remarks at the prosecutor’s office in Rhodope.

“I would like to point out that these ugly and racist expressions by Pangalos also targets 150,000 Western Thrace Turkish minority members who are citizens of the country and constitutes a severe insult to all minorities,” Alicavus added.