"Genocide recognition by Turkey is not a precondition for Armenia
26/11/2006
A critical month lies ahead for Turkey as it must show good conduct during the visit of Pope Benedict XVI a few days before the European Commission report on Ankara’s progress towards European Union accession.
Turkey is also being tested on two other issues that could dash its hopes of joining the European club -- its refusal to recognise the Cyprus Republic and denial of the genocide of 1,5 million Armenians by the Ottoman rulers.
The policy of denying the historic events of 1915 has stiffened the stance of some western nations, while relations with France soured when the lower assembly in Paris passed a law making genocide denial a civil crime, similar to holocaust denial.
Lobbying for such resolutions is the Armenian diaspora of nearly four million in Europe and the Americas who are survivors of the genocide."
More:Financial Mirror
