LEONID SLUTSKY: “I RAISED ARMENIAN CAUSE EVEN DURING MY MEETINGS WITH ILHAM ALIYEV”
by Tatevik Shahunyan
Monday, March 30, 14:18
The issue of Armenian Genocide should not be submitted to historians –
something Ankara insists on, Leonid Slutsky, the head of the State
Duma Committee for CIS, Eurasian Integration and Compatriots, told
reporters in Yerevan. He said the issue of the Armenian Genocide
needs a political solution. “Our stand on the Armenian Genocide is
known also to the countries that do not recognize that crime against
humanity, including to Washington,” the Russian parliamentarian said.
As regards the discontent of the Armenian parliamentarians at the
“indistinct” formula on the Genocide in the joint statement adopted
after the second meeting of the Armenian National Assembly Committee
for Foreign Relations and the Committee on CIS Affairs, Eurasian
Integration and Compatriots of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly
of the Russian Federation. Slutsky said: “We should realize that
sometimes it is useful to yield in small issues to win in the bigger
ones.” The Russian parliamentarian reiterated that his stand on the
need to condemn and recognize the Armenian Genocide he voiced during
his foreign visits irrespective of the stand of the country he visits.
“I voiced by stand on the Armenian causes even during my meeting with
Aliyev,” the Russian parliamentarian said.
He is sure that Yerevan should use his strategic relations with Moscow
to soften the anti-Armenian rhetoric of Baku and Ankara. “One should
not be out of touch with reality, throwing words and statements
around. It is necessary to use statements so that they do not lose
their value,” Slutsky said. In the joint statement by the Armenian
National
Assembly Committee for Foreign Relations and the Committee on CIS
Affairs, Eurasian Integration and Compatriots of the State Duma of the
Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, the sides reaffirmed their
stands on the Genocide of Armenians and called on the parliaments of
all countries to condemn and recognize the Genocide against Armenians
in the Ottoman Empire in 1915-1923 ahead of the Centennial of that
crime against humanity. The Russian and Armenian parliamentarians
welcomed participation of the State Duma delegation in the Genocide
Centennial commemorations in Yerevan.
Russia recognized the Genocide of Armenians yet in 1995.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
Disclaimer: This article was contributed and translated into English by Emil Lazarian. While we strive for quality, the views and accuracy of the content remain the responsibility of the contributor. Please verify all facts independently before reposting or citing.
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