CYPRUS HOUSE PRESIDENT CALLS FOR RECOGNITION OF ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

Financial Mirror, Cyprus
p?id=10758&nt=Politics
April 24 2008

President of the House of Representatives Marios Karoyan has reiterated
the support of the House to the demand of the Armenian people for
the recognition of the Armenian genocide of 1915.

In an address, read by the Director of his Office, at an event on
Wednesday evening organised by the Committee in Memory of the Armenian
Genocide, to mark the 93rd anniversary of the genocide, Karoyan noted
that "tonight we recall the huge crime, we honour the victims of the
Armenian genocide and we condemn once again the atrocious crime and
the criminals."

Karoyan called on Turkey to recognise and admit its crime and to
apologise to the Armenian people and humanity as a whole.

The House President pointed out that the House, along with the Greek
parliament, was among the first to condemn the Armenian genocide and
support the demand for its recognition by the international community.

"We do not beg, we do not implore. We demand justice from the
contemporary democratic humanity, the entire international community,
all the nations and all the peoples. Nothing more, nothing less,"
he noted.

In his remarks at the commemoration ceremony, former Greek Minister
of Defence Akis Tsohatzopoulos said that recognition of the Armenian
genocide is a duty to history.

The Armenian and the Pontian genocide is a historical fact and cannot
be dismissed, he said, adding that Turkey does not show any resolve
to accept its responsibilities.

Referring to the continuing occupation of Cyprus’ northern part by
Turkey, he said Ankara must realise that its European perspective
passes through its relationship with Greece and Cyprus.

"We support President Christofias’ efforts at all levels and we are by
side of the Greek Cypriots for a fair and viable solution," he added.

The Representative of the Armenians in Cyprus Vartkes Mahdessian said,
in his address, that the Cyprus House of Representatives was the
first parliament which was the first parliament to have recognised
the genocide and also condemned Turkey for this heinous crime.

He described the genocide as one of the biggest tragedies with global
ramifications.

He called on Ankara to find the courage to recognize the crimes
committed by past governments to many people around the globe.

Mahdessian said Turkey refuses to establish diplomatic ties with
Armenia and imposes an embargo on the country.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress