CONCESSIONS IN NKR ISSUE SHOULD BE ADEQUATE AND SIMULTANEOUS, ARFD REPRESENTATIVE CONSIDERS

Noyan Tapan

Dec 9, 2008

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 9, NOYAN TAPAN. If Turkey wishes to raise its role
in the region, it should improve its relations with Armenia. Kiro
Manoyan, the Responsible Person of the ARFD Hay Dat (Armenian
Cause) and Political Affairs Office, stated at the December 9 press
conference. According to him, after Turkish President Abdullah Gul’s
visit to Yerevan the dialogue between the two countries that seemed
to have started was interrupted, as Turkey continued to insist on
its preconditions for opening the Armenian-Turkish border. Besides,
the Turks continue casting doubt on the fact of the Armenian Genocide
as before.

Touching upon Armenian lobbyist activity, K. Manoyan said that thanks
to it the Armenian Genocide is already an accepted fact for the
international community today. According to him, currently the task
of Armenian diplomats is not to permit replacing the term "genocide"
by other words in international media. K. Manoyan added that the
finish of the lobbyist process is achieving Turkey’s admitting the
fact of the genocide.

Rendering more clear ARFD’s position in the Nagorno Karabakh
problem, K. Manoyan said that "any concession should be adequate
and simultaneous," at that, the issue of Artsakh status should be
determined at the very start.

Besides, according to him, the issues of return of Armenian territories
beyond NKR borders and of Armenian refugees should be raised. "And
lastly, Karabakh should be a negotiations side enjoying full rights,"
K. Manoyan stated.