ANCA EXPRESSES HOPES REGARDING TURKEY’S PRESIDENT FORTHCOMING VISIT TO ARMENIA

DE FACTO
05.09.08

YEREVAN, 05.09.08. DE FACTO. The Armenian National Committee of America
(ANCA) expressed hopes and reservations regarding Turkey’s President
Abdullah Gul’s impending visit to Armenia, at the invitation by
Armenian President Serzh Sargsian, to watch the September 6th Turkey
vs. Armenia soccer match in Armenia’s capital, Yerevan.

"We are, as you can imagine, watching this matter with vigilance,
mindful of the risks that Armenia is taking for peace, hopeful that
Yerevan’s diplomatic initiative will bear fruit, yet cautious regarding
the realistic prospects for progress given Ankara’s long-standing
and deeply troubling track record of antagonism toward Armenia,"
explained ANCA Chairman Ken Hachikian, in a September 4th letter to
House and Senate Members.

Asserting that this visit cannot, by itself, substitute for real
progress in improved Armenia-Turkey relations, Hachikian remained
hopeful "that Armenia’s pro-active diplomacy, if matched with real
movement by Turkey, can serve as a first, cautious step toward a true
reconciliation based on truth and justice."

To that end, Hachikian outlined some immediate and long-term steps
President Gul could take to demonstrate his sincerity in accepting
President Sargsian’s invitation, including showing the "willingness
to walk the mile from Armenia’s national soccer stadium to the
"Dzidzernagapert" Armenian Genocide Memorial, a tradition long honored
by foreign dignitaries visiting Yerevan."