RUSSIA SHOULD MAKE LARGER CONTRIBUTION IN ISSUE OF NORMALIZATION OF ARMENIAN-TURKISH RELATIONS, RF STATE DUMA DEPUTY CONSIDERS

Noyan Tapan
May 10 2007

YEREVAN, MAY 10, NOYAN TAPAN. The Armenian branch of Moscow Institute
of CIS Countries will conduct a study related to Russia-Turkey-Armenia
relations.

Konstantin Zatulin, Institute Director, deputy of RF State Duma and
member of General Council of Yedinaya Rossiya Party, stated this on
May 10, after opening of Armenian branch of the Institute.

In his words, in Russia they should rightly perceive the blame
periodically voiced in Armenia, according to which in Russia
they are insufficiently interested in current Armenian-Turkish
relations. K. Zatulin considers that the Russian side can make much
larger contribution for these relations to be built on principles
and to gradually become normal.

In his words, in Russia they have certain attitude towards the issues,
which at least ideologically separate Armenia and Turkey. K. Zatulin
reminding that in 1995 RF State Duma adopted a resolution on
recognition of Armenian Genocide mentioned that "this is absolutely
an issue of principle."

K. Zatulin said that lately he had to answer the letter of
Adviser-Envoy of Embassy of Turkey in Russia, with which he criticized
"the position on Armenian Genocide expressed in the article." In the
words of member of RF State Duma, "we have asked for a permission to
publicize our discussion, but we have received no answer so far."

"Of course, these are matters of past, which are too important today,
but at the same time, we should understand that we live in the
present. In Russia we cannot support various means of blockade used
by Turkey towards Armenia. We consider this unnormal," K. Zatulin
said. He thinks that the Russian authorities and diplomacy "should
make a larger contribution in solution of these issues."