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DUTCH MPS QUESTION FM ABOUT ARMENIAN GENOCIDE
news.am
Aug 31 2011
Armenia
Political parties represented in the Dutch Parliament - the Christian
Union (ChristenUnie), Socialist Party (SP), Reformed Political Party
(SGP) and the Party for Freedom (PVV) - sent written questions
regarding the Armenian Genocide to the Minister of Foreign Affairs
Uri Rosenthal.
In a response letter to parliamentarians Rosenthal told about "horrific
events that took place in 1915," as well as the need "for Turkey and
Armenia to start a dialogue on this issue." However, he avoided using
the term "genocide" in his letter, Nouvelles d'Arménie reports.
For many years, both Dutch politicians and the media use the term
"genocide." The term was also used by previous foreign ministers,
including the current deputy prime minister Maxime Verhagen during
a parliamentary debate. It seems that the new Dutch government has
changed its position under Turkey's pressure.
The Dutch MPs asked Rosenthal whether, in his opinion the "events"
can be characterized as "genocide", as defined in the Convention on
the prevention of genocide. They also asked him why the term is not
used in his letter.
The parties recalled that the Parliament of the Netherlands unanimously
adopted a recommendation for the Government to include the Genocide
recognition issue in the agenda of talks on possible Turkey's joining
the EU. The parties asked Minister Rosenthal whether policy has
undergone certain changes.
MPs finally asked whether the Minister wants to study the possibility
of building a memorial to victims of the Armenian Genocide outside
The Hague.
Minister Rosenthal answered the government does not support the
idea of building a monument near the building of the International
Criminal Court.
The Federation of Armenian Organizations in the Netherlands (FAON)
welcomed the critical reaction of the Dutch Parliament, but was very
disappointed with the position of Minister Rosenthal.
news.am
Aug 31 2011
Armenia
Political parties represented in the Dutch Parliament - the Christian
Union (ChristenUnie), Socialist Party (SP), Reformed Political Party
(SGP) and the Party for Freedom (PVV) - sent written questions
regarding the Armenian Genocide to the Minister of Foreign Affairs
Uri Rosenthal.
In a response letter to parliamentarians Rosenthal told about "horrific
events that took place in 1915," as well as the need "for Turkey and
Armenia to start a dialogue on this issue." However, he avoided using
the term "genocide" in his letter, Nouvelles d'Arménie reports.
For many years, both Dutch politicians and the media use the term
"genocide." The term was also used by previous foreign ministers,
including the current deputy prime minister Maxime Verhagen during
a parliamentary debate. It seems that the new Dutch government has
changed its position under Turkey's pressure.
The Dutch MPs asked Rosenthal whether, in his opinion the "events"
can be characterized as "genocide", as defined in the Convention on
the prevention of genocide. They also asked him why the term is not
used in his letter.
The parties recalled that the Parliament of the Netherlands unanimously
adopted a recommendation for the Government to include the Genocide
recognition issue in the agenda of talks on possible Turkey's joining
the EU. The parties asked Minister Rosenthal whether policy has
undergone certain changes.
MPs finally asked whether the Minister wants to study the possibility
of building a memorial to victims of the Armenian Genocide outside
The Hague.
Minister Rosenthal answered the government does not support the
idea of building a monument near the building of the International
Criminal Court.
The Federation of Armenian Organizations in the Netherlands (FAON)
welcomed the critical reaction of the Dutch Parliament, but was very
disappointed with the position of Minister Rosenthal.