P R E S S R E L E A S E
CONGRESS OF CANADIAN ARMENIANS
Me. Harry Dikranian – Board Member
Tel: 514-594-5968
e-mail: hd@skm.ca

ARMENIAN COMMUNITY LEADERS MEET WITH MINISTER JASON KENNEY

Montreal, February 23, 2007 – Several leaders of the Canadian Armenian
community met earlier today with Minister Jason Kenney, Secretary of
State for Multiculturalism and Canadian Identity. The meeting, which
was held in the Montreal offices of the Diocese of the Armenian Church
of Canada, was organized by the Congress of Canadian Armenians at the
request of the Minister. The discussions centred on Armenian issues
and the concerns of the community.

The recent assassination of Hrant Dink in Istanbul was discussed with
the Minister. The Rural Poverty Eradication Program in Armenia, which
the Canadian Diocese and the Congress of Canadian Armenians have
committed to actively support, was explained. Suggestions were made on
how to streamline the Canadian visa application process in
Armenia. The community leaders also recommended that Canada play a
more active role in supporting a lasting solution to the
Nagorno-Karabagh issue based on its right to self determination.

During the meeting, Payam Akhavan, Professor of Law at McGill
University, thanked the Minister for his recent timely intervention in
facilitating Taner Akçam’s entry into Canada. Akçam, a Turkish
historian, visited Montreal last week to give two lectures. "Akçam is
a voice for Armenian-Turkish reconciliation," said Professor
Akhavan. "Thankfully, those who tried to silence him by making
slanderous accusations failed."

At the end of the meeting, Jason Kenney concluded his remarks by
saying: "I treasure my relationship with the Armenian community. I am
sensitive to its concerns, and am committed to help it achieve its
future aspirations."

"I am very encouraged by the Minister’s response to the several
suggestions we made to him," said Taro Alepian, Chairman of the
Congress of Canadian Armenians. "The Government of Canada has shown by
its actions that it is supportive of our community, and of our stated
positions on Armenian issues."

The member organizations of the Congress of Canadian Armenians include
(in alphabetical order): AGBU Alex Manoogian School, AGBU Montreal
Chapter, Armenian Democratic Liberal Party, Holy Cross Church of
Laval, St. Gregory the Illuminator Church of Montreal, S.D. Hunchakian
Party, Society of Armenians from Istanbul, Tekeyan Cultural
Association.