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PanARMENIAN.Net
ADL national director calls on Turkey and Armenia for reconciliation
04.07.2008 16:29 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Abraham Foxman, national director of the
Anti-Defamation League, is in Turkey for extensive talks with Turkish
politicians, seeking to keep up-to-date with both the government and
opposition, and to reduce tensions that erupted after the organization
`endorsed Armenian claims,' reports the Turkish Daily News.
`We continue to oppose a resolution that would contain the word
genocide,' Foxman said. `Armenia and Turkey need to solve this, not in
a political forum such as Congress or parliaments,' he said, but added
that the `Jewish community does not deny the suffering of Armenians.'
The issue came up during his talks in Ankara, noted Foxman, who met
with President Abdullah Gul, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, main
opposition Republican People's Party, or CHP, leader Deniz Baykal and
Deputy Chief of Staff Gen. Ergin Saygun. `They were angry a year
ago. But now they seem to understand our position,' Foxman said.
Foxman suggested President Gul that Turkey mends its ties with Armenia
as soon as possible. `My advice is that Turkey be creative and
pro-active in strengthening the relationships with Armenia as a way to
deal with the issue. That will bring about a coming together on
history,' Foxman said. `I suggested finding ways to work together that
will help change the atmosphere, because we have a concern today on
the well-being of Armenia, which is in need of help. I think the
Jewish community could be helpful,' he said.
Foxman admitted the existence of sympathy for Armenians within the
Jewish community that, he said, `never denied the suffering of
Armenians.' `The only issue is to use the word or not. I think that
the Jewish community is more interested, today, in helping (improve)
the lives of Armenians living in Armenia, rather than becoming judges
in an issue that they cannot resolve. So, yes, there is sympathy,' he
said.
ADL national director calls on Turkey and Armenia for reconciliation
04.07.2008 16:29 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Abraham Foxman, national director of the
Anti-Defamation League, is in Turkey for extensive talks with Turkish
politicians, seeking to keep up-to-date with both the government and
opposition, and to reduce tensions that erupted after the organization
`endorsed Armenian claims,' reports the Turkish Daily News.
`We continue to oppose a resolution that would contain the word
genocide,' Foxman said. `Armenia and Turkey need to solve this, not in
a political forum such as Congress or parliaments,' he said, but added
that the `Jewish community does not deny the suffering of Armenians.'
The issue came up during his talks in Ankara, noted Foxman, who met
with President Abdullah Gul, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, main
opposition Republican People's Party, or CHP, leader Deniz Baykal and
Deputy Chief of Staff Gen. Ergin Saygun. `They were angry a year
ago. But now they seem to understand our position,' Foxman said.
Foxman suggested President Gul that Turkey mends its ties with Armenia
as soon as possible. `My advice is that Turkey be creative and
pro-active in strengthening the relationships with Armenia as a way to
deal with the issue. That will bring about a coming together on
history,' Foxman said. `I suggested finding ways to work together that
will help change the atmosphere, because we have a concern today on
the well-being of Armenia, which is in need of help. I think the
Jewish community could be helpful,' he said.
Foxman admitted the existence of sympathy for Armenians within the
Jewish community that, he said, `never denied the suffering of
Armenians.' `The only issue is to use the word or not. I think that
the Jewish community is more interested, today, in helping (improve)
the lives of Armenians living in Armenia, rather than becoming judges
in an issue that they cannot resolve. So, yes, there is sympathy,' he
said.