January 18, 2002 - 23:31 AMT
ARMENIAN ASSEMBLY OF AMERICA HOPES FOR RESUMPTION OF ARMENIAN-TURKISH RECONCILIATION COMMITTEE ACTIVITY
The Armenian Assembly of America hopes for resumption of the activity of Armenian-Turkish reconciliation committee. As chief of Yerevan and Karabakh departments of the Assembly Arpi Vardanian stated in an interview to "Arminfo" agency, "withdrawal of the Armenian representatives from the commission does not mean it cannot be formed again or in a renewed composition." In her words, the Armenian members of the commission are ready to consider any new proposal of the Turkish party if it is presented. But the Turkish colleagues will have to make concrete efforts to gain the trust of the Armenian partners. The Assembly representative noted that it was just loss of confidence towards Turks that served as reason of withdrawal of the Armenians. Nevertheless, in Arpi Vardanian's opinion, the commission achieved its main goal, i.e. it showed that the representatives of the Armenian and Turkish public could discuss various questions together. Moreover, Arpi Vardanian does not think that the question of recognition of the fact of the Armenian genocide by Turkey and the world community has been receded into the background through creation of the commission.