CDA too removes candidates because of Armenia-standpoint
De Telegraaf (Dutch national newspaper)
26 September, 2006, 22:27
THE HAGUE – After the PvdA (Labor Party), the administration of the CDA
(Christian Democrats) decided on Tuesday to remove candidates from their
list for the Parliamentary elections on November 22, because of
controversial standpoints on the genocide in Armenia.
It concerns the CDA members Ayhan Tonca (35th on the list) and Osman Elmaci
(56th) who were called to attention because they do not recognize the
genocide in Armenia in 1915. Last Friday, the two had made a statement that
they do recognize the genocide.
Nevertheless, after a meeting with the daily administration of the CDA
Tuesday evening, the party decided to remove the two from the list.
The party administration of the PvdA decided Tuesday to remove Erdinc Sacan
(number 53 on the list) because he does not recognize the genocide.
CDA and PvdA feel that it is of great importance that the candidates
underline the faction’s standpoint. In 2004, on the initiative of the
ChristenUnie, the Parliament unanimously agreed that the government should
continuously raise the issue of the Armenian genocide in its negotiations
with Turkey in the framework of Turkey’s accession to the European Union.