ARF VOWS TO PREVENT DISRESPECT OF TURKISH FLAG ON APRIL 24

Today’s Zaman
April 16 2009
Turkey

Giro Manoyan, political director of the nationalist Armenian
Revolutionary Federation (ARF, also known as the Dashnak Party), has
expressed support for the recent rapprochement between Turkey and
Armenia, while pledging that he would not allow any disrespect for
the Turkish flag during upcoming demonstrations in Armenia on April 24.

Officials of the two countries have inched closer to an agreement that
would pave the way for normalization of relations after 16 years of
estrangement. Sources in Yerevan who are close to the talks say the
final deal is likely to be declared in a third country, most probably
Switzerland, which has reportedly hosted closed-door negotiations
since 2007.

"I promise that no such thing will take place this time," Manoyan said
yesterday, when reminded by Today’s Zaman of the fact that Turkish
flags were burned last April 24 by members of the youth branch of the
ARF. "Of course, if we can keep control [over the demonstrators],"
he added.

Last year, the Turkish Foreign Ministry reacted harshly to a Turkish
flag being trodden upon during an official demonstration in Yerevan
on April 24 commemorating the tragic World War I-era events that
Armenians claim amount to genocide. News reports showed pictures of
the demonstration, during which a Turkish flag was laid on the ground
and participants of the commemoration stamped on it.

"With the meaning that it carries, the Turkish flag symbolizes freedom
and all the fundamental values and beliefs of the Turkish nation. The
flag is accepted as synonymous with our nation’s existence. The
importance attributed by the Turkish nation to these values and its
flag is widely known. In this regard, the related news reports led
to great sadness, upset and indignation in our society," the Foreign
Ministry spokesperson said at the time in a written statement.

Manoyan also voiced his eagerness for having the border between
Armenia and Turkey reopened.

"Not only Armenia, but both parties will win if the border is
opened," Manoyan told Today’s Zaman, while underlining that neither
party should set preconditions for being able to reach an eventual
normalization. "Negotiations will be cut if the resolution of the
Nagorno-Karabakh dispute between Armenia and Azerbaijan is set as a
precondition," Manoyan added.