news.am
March 23 2010
Armenia
International pressure on Turkey hinders normalization process,
Turkish politician states
The U.S. House of Representatives is unlikely to approve the Armenian
Genocide resolution before the end of this year.
The United States and Turkey have a U.S. $30bn military contract for
this year alone. Turkey will certainly use its geopolitical influence
in this matter, Cem Toker, the leader of the Liberal Democratic Party
of Turkey, told journalists in Yerevan on March 23.
According to him, amid the international pressure on Ankara in
the context of the Armenian Genocide, Turkish politicians, who are
declaring for normalizing relations with Armenia, find it more and
more difficult to defend their opinion.
As to whether he himself admits the fact of the Armenian Genocide,
Toker said that he does not like tiresome history. It is an obvious
fact that horrible events took place, he said. Toker does not know
if the events can be qualified as genocide. He is well aware of the
Armenian side’s position, but the Turkish side holds the opposite
opinion. Toker stated he understand the issue is a most painful one
for the Armenians. After visiting Armenia the fifth time he has come
to realize that each Armenian family has its own history of the 1915
events. On the other hand, he has heard many stories about Turks’
saving Armenians, feeding their children and providing them with
clothing.
Toker pointed out that he is trying to remain neutral to the 1915
events. He visited the Memorial to the Armenian Genocide victims
in Yerevan.
Responding to a question concerning Article 301 of the Turkish
Criminal Code, the Turkish politician gave assurances that Turkey has
registered serious progress. Specifically, people are not prosecuted
for admitting the Armenian Genocide. The article is actually applied
to those insulting the Turkish nation. Toker recalled three grand
funeral ceremonies – the funerals of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the
founder of the Republic of Turkey, President Halil Turgut Ozal and
the journalist Hrant Dink. In this context he pointed out that must
suggest a change in the situation inside Turkey.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
