95 WORD STATEMENT RAISES IMPORTANT CONCERNS
Panorama.am
19:47 23/04/2009
"Although this brief 95-word statement may accurately reflect an
opportunity for a genuinely historic breakthrough in relations between
Armenia and Turkey, the message of its text and the timing of its
release raise important concerns," Richard Giragosian, the director
of Armenian Center for National and International Studies (ACNIS)
issued a statement today commenting on the recent joint declaration
issued on 22 April by the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of the Republic
of Armenia, the Republic of Turkey and the Swiss Federal Department
of Foreign Affairs. According to Mr. Giragosian, by issuing such a
joint statement just prior to the annual commemoration of the Armenian
genocide, the Republic of Armenia has only bolstered, and seemingly
endorsed, Turkish attempts to pressure US President Barack Obama from
fulfilling his campaign promises to recognize the Armenian genocide
in his traditional April 24th statement. "Moreover, by agreeing to
not only issue a joint statement that clearly conforms to Turkish
attempts to distort and deny the historical veracity of the Armenian
genocide, but to also release such a statement just two days prior
to the traditional April 24th anniversary, the Armenian government
has demonstrated an appalling degree of short-sightedness and
irresponsibility. Such a strategic error raises further questions over
the sophistication, sincerity and seriousness of Armenian leadership,
particularly at such a vulnerable point in Armenian history when the
security and status of Nagorno-Karabagh remain unresolved and the
future course of democratic and economic reform in Armenia remains
in doubt," says the statement.