ARF BUREAU REPRESENTATIVE HOLDS POLITICAL MEETINGS WITH CHAIRMEN OF EDEK AND AKEL PARTIES IN CYPRUS

NICOSIA, December 16 (Noyan Tapan). December 14, Armenian Revolutionary
Federation (ARF) Bureau representative Hrant Margarian held several
meetings with the leaders of Cyprus political parties, ARF press
service reported.

The ARF delegation, led by Margarian, met with Cyprus Socialist
Democratic Party (EDEK) chairman Yanakis Omiru, who, underscoring the
centuries-long friendship between the Armenians and Greeks, reminded
them of the common enemy, Turkey. He added both Armenians and Greeks
are confident that Turkey does not deserve an EU membership unless
it undertakes certain pre-conditions, including the recognition of
the Republic of Cyprus, and admitting to the Armenian Genocide.

Hrant Margarian pointed to the close ideological ties between the
ARF and EDEK, and noted that the meeting is aimed at conveying
the ARF’s concerns ahead of the December 17 summit over Turkey’s
EU bid. Margarian said that Turkey should not be admitted to the EU
until the Cyprus issue and the issues of the Armenian Genocide and
human rights violations are not settled, reminding that this position
of the ARF is shared by most Europeans.

He added that Cyprus is expected to pose a strong position against
Turkey, and that Cyprus would also raise the Armenian Genocide issue
as Armenians raise the Cyprus issue in the international arena. If
Cyprus says “no” on December 17, many nations, including Armenians,
would welcome such stance. Omiru, in turn, said that his party is
for using the right to veto by Cyrus in case Turkey fails to meet
its requirements.

Hrant Margarian was also received by Dimitris Christofias, president
of the Cyprus parliament and secretary general of the Communist
Party, AKEL.

At the meeting, Margarian pointed to the ARF position and the Armenians
expect from Cyprus, noting that Turkey, by the U.S. blessing and
encouragement, would try to derail the European values and justice,
peace and tolerance systems. He added that the struggle should continue
and a “non” by Cyprus has a unique weight in political developments.

In response, Christofias noted that his heart “demands a veto,”
but questions like why and how the European powers dropped their
objections, raise. He said Turkey is encouraged by the U.S. and
Britain. He also said that President Papadopulos is to make his
decision at the last minute, and whatever the decision, his party
would support it.