ACE IN HANDS OF ARMENIA

Azg/AM
14 July 04

Touching upon the statement made of RA Foreign Minister Vartan
Oskanian made in the U.S. recently, saying that Armenia can use its
right of “veto” and prevent Turkey’s becoming a PACE presiding country
in 2007, Haruth Sasunian, publisher of “Californian Courier” writes
that “During the conversation with the journalists RA Foreign Minister
exploded a bomb, stating for the first timethat Armenia will use its
right for veto, as Turkey is not on the relevant level, height.”
“Turkey is the only candidate for that year. The presiding country has
certain privileges and rights that can be used against Armenia. Taking
into account the policy conducted by them (the Turks) in the region in
the course of the past 12 years, that was too misbalanced and its
support to Azerbaijan, Armenia merely can’t stand Turkey as a
presiding country for a yeareven if it wished, ” Vartan Oskanian said.

“It is a courageous decision and I think it’s a right one. Such
decisions can’ t please the American authorities, that will try to
exert pressure and demand to reconsider the decision, as well as, we
should evade contradicting the U.S., but I think, that notwithstanding
all this, Armenia should make decisions taking into consideration its
own national interests and not the interest of a foreign country (the
U.S., Russia, France, China and Turkey),” Sasunian said.

The American -Armenian community should show resistance to the members
of Bush ‘ administration that will try to exert pressure on
Armenia. Particularly, in this year of elections, we should use all
our force as an electors to resist the people that will demand from us
to make favour to Turkey. We should undertake a firm position in this
issue. We hope that the Armenian authorities will not repeat the
mistake committed in 1999.

If the U. S. and Turkey really want the latter become a presiding
country at PACE, they should stop the blockade of Armenia or recognize
the Genocide of the Armenians. This is one of the rare cases, when the
ace is in the hands of Armenia. And Armenia should use it in the best
way.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress