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FORUM OF ARMENIAN ASSOCIATIONS OF EUROPE URGES UN GENERAL SECRETARY TO STOP RELOCATION OF UNDP TO ISTANBUL
http://hetq.am/eng/news/24169/forum-of-armenian-associations-of-europe-urges-un-general-secretary-to-stop-relocation-of-undp-to-istanbul.html
13:29, March 6, 2013
Dear Mr. Ban Ki-moon
With anger and regret we were informed about the intention of
relocating the UNDP office to Istanbul, Turkey. We vehemently oppose
this relocation because of the following factors:
a) Turkey is a country that is unable to secure the rights and legal
privileges of its national minorities;
b) its falsifying of history, and the forceful renaming to Turkish
character of non-Turkish non-Muslim family names and geographical
names;
c) dissident people are being severely punished, imprisoned etc.,
as well as journalists trying to do their work professionally.
d) the creation or engagement in conflict situations in its neighboring
countries, including military interventions.
The UN is supposed to be a traditional humanitarian organization
and the relocation of one of its structures to Turkey, to a country
where basic human rights are violated in every way, we consider
absolutely unacceptable. And we can confidently prove that even the
sums provided by Turkey to the United Nations does not compensate for
the huge losses inflicted by this country (destruction of heritage,
ancient monuments; perpetual paucity of conditions for refugees; ethnic
discrimination/persecutions and even a conspiracy on that basis, i.e.
Hrant Dink's murder).
And even when the United Nations structures try to prove that the
neutrality of Turkey can be possible, we are sure that there will be
a negative impact on the overall atmosphere.
In vain Turkey knocks on the door of Europe, trying to join the
European Union, and time after time it has been rejected for reasons
such as those mentioned above.
Accordingly, we believe firmly that you will now make maximum efforts
toward the reversal of this decision, thereby contributing to a
relaxation of the very tense emotions surrounding this issue.
Your sincerely
Dr. Ashot Grigorian
President, Forum of Armenian Associations of Europe
From: A. Papazian
http://hetq.am/eng/news/24169/forum-of-armenian-associations-of-europe-urges-un-general-secretary-to-stop-relocation-of-undp-to-istanbul.html
13:29, March 6, 2013
Dear Mr. Ban Ki-moon
With anger and regret we were informed about the intention of
relocating the UNDP office to Istanbul, Turkey. We vehemently oppose
this relocation because of the following factors:
a) Turkey is a country that is unable to secure the rights and legal
privileges of its national minorities;
b) its falsifying of history, and the forceful renaming to Turkish
character of non-Turkish non-Muslim family names and geographical
names;
c) dissident people are being severely punished, imprisoned etc.,
as well as journalists trying to do their work professionally.
d) the creation or engagement in conflict situations in its neighboring
countries, including military interventions.
The UN is supposed to be a traditional humanitarian organization
and the relocation of one of its structures to Turkey, to a country
where basic human rights are violated in every way, we consider
absolutely unacceptable. And we can confidently prove that even the
sums provided by Turkey to the United Nations does not compensate for
the huge losses inflicted by this country (destruction of heritage,
ancient monuments; perpetual paucity of conditions for refugees; ethnic
discrimination/persecutions and even a conspiracy on that basis, i.e.
Hrant Dink's murder).
And even when the United Nations structures try to prove that the
neutrality of Turkey can be possible, we are sure that there will be
a negative impact on the overall atmosphere.
In vain Turkey knocks on the door of Europe, trying to join the
European Union, and time after time it has been rejected for reasons
such as those mentioned above.
Accordingly, we believe firmly that you will now make maximum efforts
toward the reversal of this decision, thereby contributing to a
relaxation of the very tense emotions surrounding this issue.
Your sincerely
Dr. Ashot Grigorian
President, Forum of Armenian Associations of Europe
From: A. Papazian