Armenian Genocide: Stephen Harper condemned interference of foreign countries into internal affairs of CanadaJune 19, 2007 - 17:12 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - During a roundtable discussion with the National Ethnic Press and Media Council of Canada (NEPMCC) Prime Minister of Canada Stephen Harper reaffirmed that the recognition of the Armenian Genocide by Canada is a government policy and not "the position of the elected guys" as some insubordinate civil servants tried to represent. Stephen Harper also said that he finds it unacceptable the interference in Canadian internal affairs of representatives of foreign governments and pressuring or coercion of Canadians and Canadian organizations to follow certain policies. The Prime Minister condemned such practices, the Armenian National Committee of Canada (ANCC) reports. "As the head of the Government of Canada I can not tell you what to write in your newspaper and foreign governments can not tell what to write," Prime Minister of Canada stated.On April 24 in his annual address in connection with the 92nd anniversary of the Armenian Genocide Stephen Harper made a statement, for which he was "roughly criticized" by the Turkish MFA. A week prior to April 24 Turkey had "warned" S. Harper against delivering a speech on April 24, where events of 1915 are called genocide. Canadian Prime Minister was warned through diplomatic channels that "repeating these claims annually will not help in normalizing Turkey-Armenia relations and will harm Turkish-Canadian bilateral relations as well. However, Stephen Harper did not cave in Turkey's blackmail. He stood firm to his principled stand vis-a-vis the Armenian Genocide issue. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Biden honors resilience of Armenian people on April 24 U.S. President Joe Biden has issued a statement on the 109th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. Ex-Karabakh leader moved to solitary confinement cell in Baku, his son says David Vardanyan is the son of former Karabakh leader Ruben Vardanyan who who is currently imprisoned in Azerbaijan. Macron says France commemorates 109th anniv. of Armenian genocide Today France commemorates the 109th anniversary of the Armenian genocide of 1915, Macron says. Freedom House concerned by mounting reports of police violence in Armenia Freedom House urged Armenian authorities to investigate this pattern of excessive force and inhumane treatment. |