National Post (f/k/a The Financial Post) (Canada)
May 6, 2006 Saturday
Toronto Edition
Columnist lauds Canada’s stance on Armenian genocide
OTTAWA
OTTAWA – A leading Turkish columnist gave a nod to Prime Minister
Stephen Harper and Foreign Minister Peter MacKay for recognizing the
Armenian genocide. In an article for the Istanbul daily “Radical”
journalist Muart Yetkin wrote that if economic boycott threats and
the freezing of relations with Canada are serious, why doesn’t the
Turkish Army sever its partnership with French carmaker Renault.
Furthermore, Turkey should break its relations with the United States
since 36 states recognize the Armenian Genocide. The columnist added:
“Boycott threats will not bring any significant results.” He also
wondered how far would Turkey pursue its current policy. “Will we
boycott Russia … on whom we depend for our gas supplies?” he asked.
Mr. Yetkin’s comments came in response to the Turkey’s foreign
minister’s threats against Canada and France. The French Parliament
is in the process of voting on a bill banning the denial of the
Armenian Genocide. The Turkish government’s paranoia about the
Armenian Genocide, and its denialist policy are damaging its
diplomatic relations with the international community, said Aris
Babikian, executive director of the Armenian National Committee of
Canada (ANCC). “Once again Turkey resorts to hollow threats and doom
and gloom scenarios to blackmail and scare the international
community from recognizing the Armenian Genocide,” Mr. Babikian said.
“The Turkish government should come to terms with its dark history
and reconcile with the Armenians and admit the reality of the
Armenian Genocide to the international community.”