ARF on TARC's End

Text of Dashnak statement on Armenian-Turkish dialogue

Yerkir
13 Dec 01

YEREVAN

Text of statement by the bureau of the ARFD [Armenian Revolutionary
Federation - Dashnaktsutyun published by Armenian newspaper Yerkir on 13
December

The statement by members of the Armenian-Turkish Reconciliation Commission,
published on 11 December, is about stopping the work of the commission. This
is belated recognition of the failure of the goals proclaimed by the Armenian
members of the commission.

The Armenian members of the commission and their sponsor, the Armenian
Assembly of America, should have foreseen from the very start that this
commission would be used to undermine the question of Turkey recognizing the
Armenian Genocide and to hinder the momentum of its international recognition
and Armenia's demands. During the five months of the commission's existence
and as a direct result of its activity great damage has been done on the
political scenes of the USA and Europe and recognition of the Armenian
Genocide has encountered great obstacles. All those who participated in and
supported this commission in its experimental and adventurous endeavour are
accountable to history. The negative results of their activity will
undoubtedly continue to be felt for some time to come.

In connection with this, we state:

a) There can be no reconciliation between Armenia and Turkey without
acceptance of this historical reality. Any Armenian-Turkish dialogue can only
be effective after Turkey recognizes the Armenian Genocide.

b) While accepting the necessity for a healthy dialogue between two sovereign
states, the problem of Turkey's responsibility for the Armenian Genocide
cannot be separated from the sphere of Armenian-Turkish relations. So the
problem of recognition of the Armenian Genocide is an integral part of
Armenian foreign policy.

c) Now more than ever, the efforts to achieve international recognition of
the Armenian Genocide will proceed with new and unprecedented vigour and it
is expected of international political circles and public opinion to assist
in these efforts, especially in view of the determination of the Armenian
people to reestablish and secure truth and justice.