April 23, 2009                                       Contact: Roupen Kouyoumdjian

 

 

Ottawa – Turkey withdrew its ambassador to Canada on Wednesday April 22^nd 2009, as a measure of political protest against the declarations made by the Canadian government recognizing the Armenian Genocide.

 

“This is not the first time Turkey takes such steps, this has happened more often in Europe for the same reason” stated Dr. Girair Basmadjian, president of the Armenian National Committee of Canada. It is interesting that Turkey chose to take such action at this time while the Canadian parliament had adopted the resolution recognizing the Genocide in 2004 and the Prime Minister of Canada as well as the Canadian government in 2006.

 

“The objective of choosing this date is curiously preceding the expectations of a similar recognition by the Obama administration in the United States. Thus, sending a message of political blackmail is the sole purpose for choosing this particular timing” added Basmadjian.

 

 

 

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The ANCC is the largest and the most influential Canadian-Armenian grassroots political organization. Working in coordination with a network of offices, chapters, and supporters throughout Canada and affiliated organizations around the world, the ANCC actively advances the concerns of the Canadian-Armenian community on a broad range of issues.

 

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Le CNAC est l'organisation politique canadienne-arménienne la plus large et influentielle. Collaborant avec une série de bureaux, chapitres et souteneurs à travers le Canada et des organisations affiliées à travers le monde, le CNAC s'occupe activement des inquiétudes de la communauté canadienne-arménienne.