Armenian National Committee of Canada
Comité National Arménien du Canada
130 Albert St., Suite/Bureau 1007
Ottawa, ON
KIP 5G4
Tel./Tél. (613) 235-2622 Fax/Téléc. (613) 238-2622
E-mail/courriel:national.office@anc-canad a.com
PRESS RELEASE
September 4, 2008
Contact: Roupen Kouyoumjian
ANCC Reacts Cautiously to Abdullah Gul’s Visit to Armenia
Ottawa – The Armenian National Committee of Canada (ANCC) has reacted
cautiously to president of Turkey, Abdullah Gul’s visit to Armenia to attend
a soccer match between Armenia and Turkey. Serzh Sarkisyan, president of
Armenia, invited Mr. Gul to the Sept. 6th FIFA World Cup group qualifying
match in Yerevan, capital of Armenia.
The ANCC has followed with reservation the different reactions of various
Turkish political entities and organizations since Sarkisyan’s invitation to
his Turkish counterpart more than a month ago. "We followed the process of
the invitation acceptance and we shall be watching with vigilance whether
Mr. Gul’s visit will lead to any meaningful thaw in the non-existent
diplomatic relations of the two neighboring states," said Dr. Girair
Basmadjian, president of the ANCC.
"We are very cautious in our expectations of the risks Armenia is taking for
the sake of peace. Being aware of Ankara’s long standing hostility towards
Armenia, we will watch carefully whether the visit will be fruitful," added
Dr. Basmadjian.
Since 1994, Turkey has enacted an illegal blockade of Armenia and imposed
pre-conditions to open its border and has refused to establish diplomatic
relations with Armenia. On the other hand, Armenia has advocated the
establishment of normal relations without pre-conditions.
The ANCC hopes that Mr. Gul will follow in the footsteps of other heads of
states and foreign dignitaries who have visited Armenia and pays his
respects at the Armenian Genocide memorial during his visit.
******
The ANCC is the largest and the most influential Canadian-Armenian
grassroots political organization. Working in coordination with a network of
offices, chapters, and supporters throughout Canada and affiliated
organizations around the world, the ANCC actively advances the concerns of
the Canadian-Armenian community on a broad range of issues.
Regional Chapters/Sections régionales
Montréal – Laval – Ottawa – Toronto – Hamilton – Cambridge – St.
Catharines – Windsor – Vancouver