TURKEY MUST PUT UP WITH DARK PAGES IN ITS HISTORY, SWEDISH POLITICIAN SAYS

news.am
March 24 2010
Armenia

More than enough proofs of the Armenian Genocide are available, Peter
Weiderud, Chairman of the Christian Social Democratic Party of Sweden,
stated at a news conference in Yerevan.

The 1915 events were a genocide, which is a fact, he said. Many
independent experts view the events as genocide, and even some
Turkish specialists say this, Weiderud. The politician reported
that the Swedish Parliament has regularly discussed the issue
of recognizing the Armenian Genocide for ten years. This year a
relevant resolution has been adopted by a majority of votes. Also,
the Parliament discussed the issue of whether the resolution will
cause damage to the Armenian-Turkish dialogue. However, the longer
is the delay the worse, Weiderud said.

Crimes like that have no limitation, and Turkey must realize the fact,
Weiderud said. He expressed hope that both Armenia and Turkey will
make proper use of the Swedish Parliament’s resolution and reach an
agreement without other states’ interference. Although the Swedish
Government was strongly against the bill, and the Opposition won with
only one vote more, no party represented in the Swedish Parliament
calls the fact of the Armenian Genocide into question, Weiderud said.

He also addressed the issue of Turkey’s membership in the EU.

According to him, Sweden has always been for Turkey’s membership and
will continue assisting the country, as Turkey is part of Europe.

However, that state would be closer to the EU if it put up with the
dark pages in its history.

On March 11 the Swedish Parliament approved an Armenian Genocide
resolution. Turkey recalled its Ambassador to Sweden.