SWEDISH MP: TO SEEK AND TO TELL THE TRUTH IS NECESSARY FOR RECONCILIATION TO WORK
Lilit Muradyan
"Radiolur"
24.03.2010 18:05
An Armenian Genocide bill was first discussed in the Swedish Parlaiemnt
ten years ago, but it failed to pass. This time the initiative was a
success, because the Social Democratic Party thoroughly investigated
the reasons preventing the passage of the Genocide bill. On of the
main reasons was timing, President of the Social Democratic Party
Peter Weiderut told a press conference in Yerevan today.
"The argument has been that recognizing now will disturb the ongoing
process between Armenia and Turkey, as well as Turkey’s relations
with the European Union. But the only thing we know for sure is that
the longer we wait, the worse it will get. In this case the victims
have waited for 95 years," Peter Weiderut stated.
The strong reaction of Turkey could be expected, because Sweden was on
the forefront of Turkey’s accession process to the European Union. And
we’ll continue to be, because Turkey belongs in Europe."
When Turkey is able to deal better with the dark side of its history,
it will have a much stronger position in the relations with the
European Union, Peter Weiderut stated.
"We are filly aware that this decision by the Swedish Parliament
two weeks ago in the short term will create difficulties between
Armenia and Turkey. But this decision is not about favoring one
country’s reading of history over another country. It is based on
the understanding that solid future policy for human rights and
international law has to be based on a trustworthy description of
history. To seek and tell the truth is necessary for reconciliation
to work," Peter Weiderut
Peter Weiderut expressed hope that all stakeholders involved,
particularly the Armenians and Turks, would make use of this decision
of the Swedish Parliament in their dialogue towards reconciliations.