Tweet
Federation of Armenian Organisations in The Netherlands (FAON)
April 24 Committee For Recognition and Commemoration of the Armenian
Genocide of 1915
Address: Weesperstraat 91 - 2574 VS Den Haag
Tel. +31704490209
Contact: M. Hakhverdian
Website: http://www.24april.nl
E-mail: [email protected]
PRESS RELEASE
FAON: position of candidate Albayrak of Turkish origin is still questionable
The Hague 26 September - The Federation of Armenian Organisations in the
Netherlands (FAON) welcomes the removal of 3 candidates from draft lists of
Dutch Christian Democrats Party (CDA) and of Dutch Labor Party (PvdA) for
the coming Dutch parliamentary elections, since they deny the Armenian
Genocide. The Armenian Genocide was unanimously recognised by Dutch
Parliament in December 2004. The Dutch parties have taken their
responsibility on time concerning these candidates. Mr. Sacan (PvdA), Mr
.Tonca and Mr. Elmaci (CDA) are no longer candidates for the elections.
In an earlier letter the Armenian Federation asked the Christian Democrat
Party (CDA) for clarification on the positions of a number of candidates of
Turkish origin who deny the Armenian Genocide (see www.24april.nl). The same
question was addressed to other parties with candidates from Turkish
origine.
The Dutch TV programme NOVA on 20 September, with particitapion of MP Mrs
Huizinga Heringa (Christian Union Faction) and the chairman of 24 April
Committee of FAON caused commotion, following which the candidates,
according to declarations of the parties, indicated to share the viewpoint
of their party on the recognition of the Armenian Genocide.
Later, however, the candidates Sacan, Tonca and Elmaci indicated to not
share the viewpoint of their party. This opinion of Tonca and Elmaci became
apparent from their remarks in the Turkish newspaper Sabah. The Armenian
Federation therefore called once more upon the CDA and PvdA to remove Tonca,
Elmaci and Sacan from their lists, which they did on September 26th.
The Armenian Federation, however, has still major objections with some of
the remarks that PvdA candidate of Turkish origin Mrs. Albayrak (nr. 2 on
PvdA list) made in the Dutch daily newspaper Trouw on 26 September, These
remarks appear to be quite similar to the official denial policy of Turkey.
The Armenian Federation urges the PvdA to give more clarity over Mrs.
Albayrak's precise position, before the PvdA candidacy list is finalized.
The Armenian Federation also requests a decisive answer from the political
parties regarding the viewpoint on the Armenian Genocide of a few more
members of parliament of Turkish origin: Curus and Eski (CDA), Orgu from
People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD), who is not on the draft list
for the coming elections, Ozutok (Greens Left - GL) and Koser Kaya
(Social-Liberal Democrats - D66). The same question is also valid for other
candidates of Turkish descent for parliament elections.
April 24 Committee For Recognition and Commemoration of the Armenian
Genocide of 1915
Address: Weesperstraat 91 - 2574 VS Den Haag
Tel. +31704490209
Contact: M. Hakhverdian
Website: http://www.24april.nl
E-mail: [email protected]
PRESS RELEASE
FAON: position of candidate Albayrak of Turkish origin is still questionable
The Hague 26 September - The Federation of Armenian Organisations in the
Netherlands (FAON) welcomes the removal of 3 candidates from draft lists of
Dutch Christian Democrats Party (CDA) and of Dutch Labor Party (PvdA) for
the coming Dutch parliamentary elections, since they deny the Armenian
Genocide. The Armenian Genocide was unanimously recognised by Dutch
Parliament in December 2004. The Dutch parties have taken their
responsibility on time concerning these candidates. Mr. Sacan (PvdA), Mr
.Tonca and Mr. Elmaci (CDA) are no longer candidates for the elections.
In an earlier letter the Armenian Federation asked the Christian Democrat
Party (CDA) for clarification on the positions of a number of candidates of
Turkish origin who deny the Armenian Genocide (see www.24april.nl). The same
question was addressed to other parties with candidates from Turkish
origine.
The Dutch TV programme NOVA on 20 September, with particitapion of MP Mrs
Huizinga Heringa (Christian Union Faction) and the chairman of 24 April
Committee of FAON caused commotion, following which the candidates,
according to declarations of the parties, indicated to share the viewpoint
of their party on the recognition of the Armenian Genocide.
Later, however, the candidates Sacan, Tonca and Elmaci indicated to not
share the viewpoint of their party. This opinion of Tonca and Elmaci became
apparent from their remarks in the Turkish newspaper Sabah. The Armenian
Federation therefore called once more upon the CDA and PvdA to remove Tonca,
Elmaci and Sacan from their lists, which they did on September 26th.
The Armenian Federation, however, has still major objections with some of
the remarks that PvdA candidate of Turkish origin Mrs. Albayrak (nr. 2 on
PvdA list) made in the Dutch daily newspaper Trouw on 26 September, These
remarks appear to be quite similar to the official denial policy of Turkey.
The Armenian Federation urges the PvdA to give more clarity over Mrs.
Albayrak's precise position, before the PvdA candidacy list is finalized.
The Armenian Federation also requests a decisive answer from the political
parties regarding the viewpoint on the Armenian Genocide of a few more
members of parliament of Turkish origin: Curus and Eski (CDA), Orgu from
People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD), who is not on the draft list
for the coming elections, Ozutok (Greens Left - GL) and Koser Kaya
(Social-Liberal Democrats - D66). The same question is also valid for other
candidates of Turkish descent for parliament elections.