Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

Assembly Board participates in debate on Armenian-Tukish Protocols

Collapse
X
 
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

  • Assembly Board participates in debate on Armenian-Tukish Protocols

    Armenian Assembly of America Board of Trustees Members participate in
    debate on Armenian-Tukish Protocols
    12.12.2009 14:39 GMT+04:00

    /PanARMENIAN.Net/ Armenian Assembly of America (Assembly) Board of
    Trustees Member, Peter Kezirian and Assembly Western Region Director
    Yeghig Keshishian participated in a panel discussion hosted by the
    Armenian Law Student Association (ALSA) of Southwestern Law School in
    conjunction with the Law School's Diversity Affairs Office regarding
    the recently signed protocols to establish normal relations without
    preconditions between the Republics of Armenia and Turkey.

    The panel also included Steve Dadaian and Vicken Sonentz Papazian
    representing the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).

    Following the opening remarks by Stella Pogosyan, President of the
    Armenian Law Student Association at Southwestern, the Assembly and
    ANCA each discussed the protocols. Keshishian opened his discussion
    looking at the geopolitical situation in the South Caucasus, noting
    that the Republic of Armenia, since its independence in 1991, has
    sought formal diplomatic relations with Turkey without preconditions.

    Turkey meanwhile has insisted on preconditions such as concessions on
    Nagorno Karabakh and demands that Armenia renounce international
    affirmation of the Armenian Genocide. Turkey's 15-year plus blockade
    of Armenia also reflects part of Turkey's strategy to attempt to
    isolate and marginalize Armenia.

    Referring to the actual text of the protocols, Keshishian noted that
    they do not threaten the veracity of the Armenian Genocide, nor do
    they require Armenia to abdicate its treaty rights on territorial
    issues or require concessions on Nagorno Karabakh as many have
    speculated.

    Steve Dadaian, speaking on behalf of the ANCA, attempted to use legal
    arguments to argue that the Protocols undercut particular interests of
    the Armenian Republic and accused the current government of not having
    the position or moral authority to deal with these concerns.

    Papazian and Dadaian argued that the Protocols are poorly drafted and
    will help Turkey's accession to the European Union, which require open
    borders.
Working...
X