06 05 17 - Columnist lauds Canada's stance on Armenian genocide

NationalPost.com Canada
Tuesday, May 16, 2006
OTTAWA - A leading Turkish columnist gave a nod to Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Foreign Minister Peter MacKay for recognizing the Armenian genocide. In an article for the Istanbul daily "Radical" journalist Muart Yetkin wrote that if economic boycott threats and the freezing of relations with Canada are serious, why doesn't the Turkish Army sever its partnership with French carmaker Renault. Furthermore, Turkey should break its relations with the United States since 36 states recognize the Armenian Genocide. The columnist added: "Boycott threats will not bring any significant results." He also wondered how far would Turkey pursue its current policy. "Will we boycott Russia ... on whom we depend for our gas supplies?" he asked. Mr. Yetkin's comments came in response to the Turkey's foreign minister's threats against Canada and France. The French Parliament is in the process of voting on a bill banning the denial of the Armenian Genocide. The Turkish government's paranoia about the Armenian Genocide, and its denialist policy are damaging its diplomatic relations with the international community, said Aris Babikian, executive director of the Armenian National Committee of Canada (ANCC). "Once again Turkey resorts to hollow threats and doom and gloom scenarios to blackmail and scare the international community from recognizing the Armenian Genocide," Mr. Babikian said. "The Turkish government should come to terms with its dark history and reconcile with the Armenians and admit the reality of the Armenian Genocide to the international community."

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