ArmenPress
April 22 2004

CANADA RECOGNIZES ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

OTTAWA, APRIL 22, ARMENPRESS: With an overwhelmingly favorable
vote of 153 to 68 in Parliament Wednesday Canada joined the growing
number of nations that have formally recognized the Armenian
Genocide, reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).
The motion reads that “That this House acknowledges the Armenian
genocide of 1915 and condemns this act as a crime against humanity.’
Government members were discouraged from voting for the motion,
which is sure to anger a Turkish government that has never recognized
the massacre of 1.5 million Armenians starting in 1915. Following a
charged debate at their weekly closed-door caucus meeting, Liberal
backbenchers voted massively in favor while the party’s cabinet
contingent rejected the Bloc Quebecois motion.
The Turkish government has warned that recognizing the genocide
could have economic consequences.
“Armenians in America and throughout the world welcome this
historic step by Canada,” said Aram Hamparian, Executive Director of
the ANCA. “The Canadian Parliament, in rejecting intense Turkish
government pressure, took an important step in further isolating
Turkey for its shameful, international campaign of genocide denial,”
he said.
The governing Liberal leadership paved the way for this vote by
allowing a “free vote,” meaning that individual members are allowed
to vote their conscience, without any pressure or negative
repercussions from their respective party leaderships.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress