By Mehmet Hatipoglu

KOMOTINI, Greece (AA): A Muslim Turk representative in Greece on Wednesday condemned 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.

Speaking to Skai radio, Pangalos argued that Greece faced a “huge” problem with Turkey. “The enemy is relentless and will not be overcome, regardless of how much good faith we show,” he said.

“The only good Turk is a dead Turk. I believe this because I have not come across a good Turk. They lack basic appreciation. The Turk does not have a sense for justice.”

Pangalos, who served as foreign minister between 1996 and 1999, is known for making controversial comments.

In the 1990s, he claimed Germany was “a giant with bestial force and a child’s brain” and accused Turkey of “dragging its bloodied boots across the carpets of Europe.”

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.

Additional report by The Muslim News

[Photo: Theodoros Pangalos. Creative Commons]