ARF’S HAY DAT COMMITTEE OF GREECE PROTEST REACHES ITS GOAL

Yerkir, Armenia
Oct 27 2006

Following a proposal by Member of European Parliament Panayotis
Peghlidis, who suggested at the September session of the
European Parliament that the Armenian Genocide should not become
a precondition for Turkey’s admission in the European Union, the
Armenian Revolutionary Federation’s Youth Organization of Greece
launched a protest campaign. E-mails and fax messages signed by
individuals pointed to a united position and activism.

After receiving the protest messages, Mr. Peghlidis requested a
meeting with the ARF’s Hay Dat committee. The meeting was held early
this week at the MEP’s office and was also attended by the ARF Youth
Organization representatives.

At the meeting, Mr. Peghlidis clearly affirmed that he and the PASOK
party have always defended the stance that Turkey should admit to
the Armenian Genocide, then pointed out that at this stage, due to
political reasons they do not consider it right to raise the issue.

He also said the PASOK members have voted in favor of the call for
Turkey to recognize the Armenian Genocide.

The members of the Hay Dat committee and the Youth Organization
detailed our position why recognizing the Genocide should become a
precondition for Turkey’s admission in the Union.

At the end of the meeting, Mr. Peghlidis promised he would pass the Hay
Dat committee’s concerns to the party chairman, Mr. Yorgho Papandreu.

The issue is being closely watched by the ARF Hay Dat committee.