EUROPEAN ARMENIAN FEDERATION: ARMENIAN-TURKISH PROTOCOLS SHOULD BE UNAMBIGUOUSLY REJECTED

ArmInfo
2009-09-29 18:08:00

ArmInfo. The Protocols on the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations
between the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Turkey, which were
initiated under Swiss mediation earlier this year, are vehemently
opposed by the Armenians worldwide, says the statement published by
the European Armenian Federation (EAFJD), Tuesday.

According to the statement, the "Votch" (No) petition, which is open to
"all who uphold human dignity", was initiated by philologist Krikor
Beledian, essayist Janine Altounian, journalists Arpig Missakian
and Arpi Totoyan, historian Yves Ternon of France, Professor Mihran
Dabag, Director of the German Research Institute on Diasporas and
Genocides of Bochum University, and American professor Roger Smith,
former Chairman of the International Association of Genocides Scholars.

The petition, which is online at , has received
signatures from residents in nearly 30 countries and the campaign
is rapidly growing. The document considers that "by the signing
of these protocols, Armenia marginalizes the Diaspora, and enters
into the strategy of the Turkish State to divide the Armenian people
and to stigmatize and delegitimize the Diaspora for advocating the
consciousness of the Genocide".

"The Armenians worldwide welcome the "Votch" Petition. The Turkish
Armenian protocols are blatant infringements on the memory of the
Armenian Genocide and the dignity of its victims," stated Hilda
Tchoboian, the chairperson of the European Armenian Federation. "The
Turkish State is attempting to make its denial policy legitimate
by embedding it in a legally binding document that would have far-
reaching consequences not only for the Republic of Armenia, but for
Armenians worldwide," added Tchoboian.