news.am, Armenia
March 6 2010
Linking Armenian-Turkish reconciliation to Genocide recognition
unwise, Armenian FM states
11:15 / 03/06/2010`To put it mildly, it is unwise to link the
recognition of the Armenian Genocide to the Armenian-Turkish
normalization process,’ RA Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian stated
in his interview with the RA Public TV.
Commenting on the approval of the Armenian Genocide Resolution by the
U.S. House Committee on Foreign Affairs, he expressed his gratitude to
the U.S. Congressmen that voted in favor of panhuman values. He
pointed out that the statement and articles of the Turkish press
remind him of Paris in 2001 ` `the same statements, articles,
warnings, recalled Ambassador.’
`Some time later the Ambassador returned, and the relations followed
their normal course. What did the articles say? Turkey played an
important role in battling terrorism, establishing and consolidating
peace in the context of settling some regional conflicts. So no
resolution of the Armenian Genocide was to be adopted. What does it
mean? If the Armenian Genocide is recognized, Turkey will support
terrorism and declare against peace? Quite a strange approach,’
Nalbandian said. He also pointed out that Turkey’s steps caused some
French political figures, who had spoken in Turkey’s favor before, to
change their minds.
The Armenian FM also stated that it was not easy for Armenia to launch
the reconciliation process without its admitting the Armenian
Genocide, but Armenia did that step.
T.P.