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Turkey 'Warned' Canada, US Against Using Term 'Genocide'

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  • Turkey 'Warned' Canada, US Against Using Term 'Genocide'

    TURKEY 'WARNED' CANADA, US AGAINST USING TERM 'GENOCIDE'

    Assyrian International News Agency
    www.PanARMENIAN.Net
    April 26 2007

    Turkey warned Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper last week not
    to issue an April 24 declaration where the incidents of 1915 are
    defined as genocide. The Canadian Parliament recognized the Armenian
    Genocide and Harper became one of the few heads of state to use the
    word "genocide" in his written statement during 2006.

    Wary of these genocide claims spreading to other countries including
    the United States, Turkey is trying hard to block efforts by the
    Armenian Diaspora in almost every country in the world.

    Canadian Prime Minister Harper was warned through diplomatic channels
    last week that "repeating these claims annually will not help in
    normalizing Turkey-Armenia relations and will harm Turkish-Canadian
    bilateral relations as well." "We hope that the Canadian PM will not
    repeat this year what he did last year," a high-level Foreign Ministry
    official said, the Turkish Daily News reports.

    Ankara made the same diplomatic attempt with the United States before
    April 24 where President George W. Bush also issues a declaration.

    Turkish officials said Ankara is not expecting Bush to use the word
    genocide. U.S. presidents prefer to define the incidents in 1915 as
    a massacre.

    Canadian Prime Minister Steven Harper made a statement in connection
    with the 92nd anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. "Today we recall
    the horrible losses of 1915 in the Ottoman Empire, particularly
    the terrible tragedy of the Armenian nation. Last year I reminded,
    the both chambers of Canadian Parliament adopted a resolution that
    recognizes the first genocide of the 20th century. This day makes us
    remember why we should do everything possible to guarantee rule of
    human rights and democratic freedoms in our times. Today Canadians
    with Armenian and Turkish descent live side by side and share values
    of tolerance. We hope Armenia and Turkey will guide themselves with
    those values in order to develop their relations. Together with you
    we recall the past and share your hopes for building the future based
    on peace and mutual respect," said Steven Harper in his statement.

    George W. Bush failed to define the events of 1915 as genocide in
    his annual April 24 statement.
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