CANADA ANC CALLS ON GOVERNMENT TO EDUCATE DIPLOMATS ABOUT GENOCIDE POLICY
asbarez
Wednesday, February 15th, 2012
OTTAWA-The Armenian National Committee of Canada (ANCC) supports
Jim Karygiannis’ call for an investigation into actions by Canadian
Ambassador to Turkey Mark Bailey’s efforts to promote the Turkish
government’s denial of the Armenian Genocide.
In March 2011, Ambassador Bailey met with Senator Nancy Ruth and,
according to a trip report filed by Senator Ruth, asked her to work
with other Senators to “drop the speeches on Armenian Genocide Day”
as they were “an impediment to [Canada’s] relations with Turkey”.
The Armenian Genocide has been recognized by the Senate, the House
of Commons and the Government of Canada as a historical fact and an
unpunished crime. The Senate stated that the Government of Canada
should “…condemn any attempt to deny or distort any historical truth
as being anything less than a genocide, a crime against humanity.”
The ANCC calls upon the Department of Foreign Affairs to ensure
that all Canadian diplomats are aware of Canada’s recognition of
the Armenian Genocide and to educate diplomats on their clear
responsibility to promote Canadian interests abroad and combat
genocide denial.
Dr. Girair Basmadjian, ANCC President stated “While we respect
Ambassador Bailey’s dedicated and able service to Canada, he has a duty
as our representative abroad to promote our government’s policies and
to combat denial of the Armenian Genocide. He should not be lobbying
to have Canada adopt Turkey’s denialist stance. Instead Ambassador
Bailey should be lobbying Turkey to accept the historical truth of
the Armenian Genocide.”
The ANCC is the largest and the most influential Canadian-Armenian
grassroots political organization. Working in coordination with a
network of offices, chapters, and supporters throughout Canada and
affiliated organizations around the world, the ANCC actively advances
the concerns of the Canadian-Armenian community on a broad range
of issues.
From: A. Papazian