KARABAKH CONFLICT FORGOTTEN IN EUROPE?
By Susanna Margarian
AZG Armenian Daily
30/03/2006
Erik Boel, chairman of the European Movement for Denmark, is visiting
Armenia these days. Before arriving in Yerevan he was in Baku where
he met Azeri diplomats, NGO representatives, the Commission for
European Integration and independent experts. Either in Armenia or
in Azerbaijan Mr. Boel sought to familiarize with pro-European forces.
The European official, who is in Armenia at the invitation of the
Armenian Revolutionary Federation, visited the Monument of Armenian
Genocide and the Genocide Museum and laid a wreath. Though recognition
of the Armenia Genocide by Turkey is not included in the so-called
Copenhagen criteria as a prerequisite for the country's membership,
"it will be useful for Turkey to put up with its past as well as
reconcile with the Armenian people," Mr. Boel stated reminding
Germany's example. Speaking of Genocide recognition and double
standards that surround this issue, Mr. Boel underscored that his
state and he personally believe that what happened in 1915 was a
factual genocide. Nevertheless, Denmark is so far among the states
that have not officially recognized the Genocide. Perhaps this stands
for the Dane's laconic inscription in the memory book: "Let us never
forget this tragedy."
Speaking of Danish public opinion on Nagorno Karabakh issue,
Mr. Boel said: "To be frank, it is one of the forgotten conflicts in
the European environment. We have a close watch on conflicts in the
Middle East and Kosovo but unfortunately not in Karabakh." The guest
will not visit Nagorno Karabakh this time, but he reads books on the
conflict and meets people in order to probe the issue.