Daily Star, Lebanon
Oct 1 2005
‘Turkey must admit Armenian genocide before EU entry’
By Therese Sfeir
Daily Star staff
Saturday, October 01, 2005
BEIRUT: The central committee for commemorating the passing of 90
years since the Armenian Genocide submitted a petition to Lebanon’s
EU Ambassador Patrick Renauld Friday requesting the EU demand Turkey
acknowledge the Armenian Genocide before being granted membership to
the union.
The petition said: “While the 21st century is considered the century
of international justice and human rights, the EU has decided to
resume discussions regarding Turkey’s candidacy to the organization.”
It added: “Turkey is still promoting racism against its minorities,
including Kurds, Greeks, Armenians and others.”
The petition further said: “The EU had urged the Turkish government
to acknowledge the genocide in April 2001 and September 2005 and
admitted the government’s rejection to do so would hamper the
approval of its candidacy.”
President of the Press Federation Mohammad Baalbaki, speaking during
a news conference held at the Federation’s headquarters in Beirut
Friday, said Armenians have the right to demand the international
community suspend Turkey’s candidacy to the EU until it acknowledges
the Armenian Genocide.
The conference was attended by MP Hagop Pakradounian, former
Ministers Alain Tabourian, Sebouh Hovnanian and Jacques Joe
Khadarian, secretary general of the Tachnag Party Hovik Mokhtarian as
well as representatives of other Armenian political parties.
Baalbaki described the Armenians as “loyal and honest people,” and
praised them for never siding with one party during the 15 year
Lebanese Civil War.
He added Armenians have the right to ask the international community
to suspend the candidacy of Turkey to the EU until it recognizes the
genocide.
He further said: “The Lebanese press, which represents the Lebanese
people’s position, expresses its support for the committee and hopes
that the modern Turkey will free itself from the burden of this
genocide.”
From: Baghdasarian