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ARMENIANS MUST CALL FOR REPARATIONS IN 2015, SAYS GIRO MANOYAN
Wednesday, December 10th, 2014
http://asbarez.com/129737/armenians-must-call-for-reparations-in-2015-says-giro-manoyan/
ARF Political Affairs Director Giro Manoyan
YEREVAN--Armenia's greatest achievement ahead of the Genocide
centennial would be a pan-national call for reparations, says Armenian
Revolutionary Federation (ARF) Political Affairs Director Giro Manoyan.
"Both Turkey and other countries understand this, but it is important
to fix that we have demands from Turkey. We have already launched
active measures towards the Genocide centennial to shape a political
mindset. And steps by Turkey to counteract to that are the proof of
that," Manoyan said at a news conference.
Asked whether Armenia has the necessary resources to make 2015
unprecedented, the politician said that he has really seen progress.
"We have made such progress in the past decades that it isn't right to
anticipate achieving everything in one year. It is common knowledge
today that Turkey committed genocide and now experiences hatred for
the Armenians," he noted.
Asked to comment on continuing calls to gathering Armenians in
Istanbul in 2015 to commemorate the centennial of the Armenian
Genocide, Manoyan said he knows that events of the kind will be held
everywhere. "Istanbul always hosted commemoration ceremonies. But
conducting ceremonies in Turkey next year will be of special
importance; it is important, however, to convey the right message to
Turkey's society," Manoyan said.
He added that the ARF asked a commission of specialists to elaborate
Armenia's demands back in 2007. "They published the first draft
in 2010, outlining five key demands: recognition, reparation and
legislative changes in Turkey to eliminate the anti-Armenian policies
and raise the problem of collective damage and territorial questions.
To resolve territorial issues it is necessary to recall the
Armenia-Turkey protocols," he added.
Manoyan says the year 2014 stood out for three important events:
Armenia's accession to the Eurasian Economic Union, the frequent
ceasefire violations at the Armenian-Azerbaijani border and the acts
of sabotage, the events in Syria and the problems of the Armenian
community.
Giro Manoyan says in 2015 we should start speaking about the
consequences of the Armenian Genocide and reparation rather than
recognition. "This will be the greatest achievement of the 100th
anniversary," he said.
As for the commemoration to be held in Istanbul, he said "this is
not the first time such events will be held in Istanbul."
"Commemoration of the 100th anniversary in Istanbul will be of special
importance, but what's more important is to send a special message
to the Turkish society. The Turkish public should know not only what
happened in the past, but also what the Armenian people demand today,"
Manoyan said.
He also attached importance to the refusal from the Armenian-Turkish
protocols. "These protocols need to be killed legally," he said.
Referring to the invitation to the Turkish President to visit Armenia
on April 24, Giro Manoyan said, "It's a challenge rather than an
invitation."
"I'm not sure about how this invitation will be accepted. I don't
rule out Turkey will take certain counter-steps, and Armenia should
be ready for it."
Manoyan also advised Armenians not to concentrate on what the US
President will say on April 24. "Uttering the word 'genocide' will
put pressure on Turkey, that's why Obama has refrained from using
the word," he concluded.
Wednesday, December 10th, 2014
http://asbarez.com/129737/armenians-must-call-for-reparations-in-2015-says-giro-manoyan/
ARF Political Affairs Director Giro Manoyan
YEREVAN--Armenia's greatest achievement ahead of the Genocide
centennial would be a pan-national call for reparations, says Armenian
Revolutionary Federation (ARF) Political Affairs Director Giro Manoyan.
"Both Turkey and other countries understand this, but it is important
to fix that we have demands from Turkey. We have already launched
active measures towards the Genocide centennial to shape a political
mindset. And steps by Turkey to counteract to that are the proof of
that," Manoyan said at a news conference.
Asked whether Armenia has the necessary resources to make 2015
unprecedented, the politician said that he has really seen progress.
"We have made such progress in the past decades that it isn't right to
anticipate achieving everything in one year. It is common knowledge
today that Turkey committed genocide and now experiences hatred for
the Armenians," he noted.
Asked to comment on continuing calls to gathering Armenians in
Istanbul in 2015 to commemorate the centennial of the Armenian
Genocide, Manoyan said he knows that events of the kind will be held
everywhere. "Istanbul always hosted commemoration ceremonies. But
conducting ceremonies in Turkey next year will be of special
importance; it is important, however, to convey the right message to
Turkey's society," Manoyan said.
He added that the ARF asked a commission of specialists to elaborate
Armenia's demands back in 2007. "They published the first draft
in 2010, outlining five key demands: recognition, reparation and
legislative changes in Turkey to eliminate the anti-Armenian policies
and raise the problem of collective damage and territorial questions.
To resolve territorial issues it is necessary to recall the
Armenia-Turkey protocols," he added.
Manoyan says the year 2014 stood out for three important events:
Armenia's accession to the Eurasian Economic Union, the frequent
ceasefire violations at the Armenian-Azerbaijani border and the acts
of sabotage, the events in Syria and the problems of the Armenian
community.
Giro Manoyan says in 2015 we should start speaking about the
consequences of the Armenian Genocide and reparation rather than
recognition. "This will be the greatest achievement of the 100th
anniversary," he said.
As for the commemoration to be held in Istanbul, he said "this is
not the first time such events will be held in Istanbul."
"Commemoration of the 100th anniversary in Istanbul will be of special
importance, but what's more important is to send a special message
to the Turkish society. The Turkish public should know not only what
happened in the past, but also what the Armenian people demand today,"
Manoyan said.
He also attached importance to the refusal from the Armenian-Turkish
protocols. "These protocols need to be killed legally," he said.
Referring to the invitation to the Turkish President to visit Armenia
on April 24, Giro Manoyan said, "It's a challenge rather than an
invitation."
"I'm not sure about how this invitation will be accepted. I don't
rule out Turkey will take certain counter-steps, and Armenia should
be ready for it."
Manoyan also advised Armenians not to concentrate on what the US
President will say on April 24. "Uttering the word 'genocide' will
put pressure on Turkey, that's why Obama has refrained from using
the word," he concluded.