PRESS RELEASE
Federation of Armenian Organisations in the Netherlands (FAON)
24 April Committee for recognition and commemoration of the
Armenian Genocide of 1915
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:
PRESS RELEASE
FAON: position of candidate Albayrak of Turkish origin is still questionable
The Hague 26 September – The Federation of Armenian Organisations in
the Netherlands (FAON) welcomes the removal of 3 candidates from draft
lists of Dutch Christian Democrats Party (CDA) and of Dutch Labor
Party (PvdA) for the coming Dutch parliamentary elections, since they
deny the Armenian Genocide. The Armenian Genocide was unanimously
recognised by Dutch Parliament in December 2004. The Dutch parties
have taken their responsibility on time concerning these candidates.
Mr. Sacan (PvdA), Mr .Tonca and Mr. Elmaci (CDA) are no longer
candidates for the elections.
In an earlier letter the Armenian Federation asked the Christian
Democratic Party (CDA) for clarification on the positions of a number
of candidates of Turkish origin who deny the Armenian Genocide (see
). The same question was addressed to other parties with
candidates from Turkish origine.
The Dutch TV programme NOVA on 20 September, with particitapion of MP
Mrs Huizinga Heringa (Christian Union Faction) and the chairman of 24
April Committee of FAON caused commotion, following which the
candidates, according to declarations of the parties, indicated to
share the viewpoint of their party on the recognition of the Armenian
Genocide.
Later, however, the candidates Sacan, Tonca and Elmaci indicated to
not share the viewpoint of their party. This opinion of Tonca and
Elmaci became apparent from their remarks in the Turkish newspaper
Sabah. The Armenian Federation therefore called once more upon the CDA
and PvdA to remove Tonca, Elmaci and Sacan from their lists, which
they did on September 26th.
The Armenian Federation, however, has still major objections with some
of the remarks that PvdA candidate of Turkish origin Mrs. Albayrak
(nr. 2 on PvdA list) made in the Dutch daily newspaper Trouw on 26
September, These remarks appear to be quite similar to the official
denial policy of Turkey. The Armenian Federation urges the PvdA to
give more clarity over Mrs. Albayrak’s precise position, before the
PvdA candidacy list is finalized.
The Armenian Federation also requests a decisive answer from the
political parties regarding the viewpoint on the Armenian Genocide of
a few more members of parliament of Turkish origin: Curus and Eski
(CDA), Orgu from People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD), who
is not on the draft list for the coming elections, Ozutok (Greens Left
– GL) and Koser Kaya (Social-Liberal Democrats – D66) . The same
question is also valid for other candidates of Turkish descent for
parliament elections.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
