EAFJD CONSIDER PROTOCOLS AS DANGEROUS MOVE FROM ARMENIA’S PREVIOUS POLICY

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
04.09.2009 16:56 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ A close examination of the protocols on normalization
of the Armenian-Turkish relations clearly reveals that the purview
of these documents – historically unprecedented between the two
neighboring states – goes far beyond the mere "normalization" and
border-opening issues being discussed between Armenia and Turkey
over many years. These protocols embrace, in a fundamental way,
the full scope of unresolved issues between Turkey and the Armenian
people worldwide, including those involving the legitimate rights of
the European Armenian communities. This is written in the European
Armenian Federation (EAFJD) statement sent to PanARMENIAN.net.

"Through the protocols, and mobilizing immense resources of
international pressure, Turkey has indeed imposed its preconditions,
which Armenia had categorically rejected so far.

The European Armenian Federation considers these protocols a dangerous
retreat from Armenia’s time-honoured policy of welcoming normalization
of relations with Turkey, but without any pre-conditions. The
Turkish government’s pre-conditions violate the core principles of
international law as they involve acceptance by Armenia of the terms
and conditions of old and illegitimate treaties long pre-dating the
existence of independent Armenia," the statement says.

According to the statement, protocols involve the abandonment by
Armenia of all efforts toward the international recognition of
the Armenian Genocide. They also involve complete capitulation
by Armenia to Azerbaijan’s terms in the Karabakh negotiations, as
re-iterated by Minister Davutoglu on the very day, i.e. September 1st,
of the announcement of the protocols. Furthermore, the tri-lateral
announcement fails to recognize the fact that the people of Nagorno
Karabakh and the communities of the Armenian Diaspora – therefore
the European Armenians – are legitimate parties to any "political
consultations.

"Turkey should not be permitted to abuse these bilateral negotiations
"packaging away" its historic national liabilities in border-opening
agreements with Armenia, its economically vulnerable neighbour. The
international community must reject Turkey’s most recent practice
of imposing its policy of denial of the Armenian genocide through
such biased bilateral deals. And the Swiss government should be more
vigilant in its assessment of the moral implications of its mediation
initiative given Turkey’s questionable record in all these issues,"
stated Hilda Tchoboian, the chairperson of the European Armenian
Federation.

"For decades, the European Armenian communities fought all forms
of genocide denial, advocated for the right to self-determination
of the people of Nagorno Karabakh, and defended the heritage of
the Armenian people in all of its aspects, having by their side the
unwavering support of the European society to their Just Cause. Today,
we reaffirm our commitment to defend the legitimate rights of our
People with the same determination," concluded Hilda Tchoboian.