YEREVAN–President Robert Kocharian received ARF Bureau representative Hrant Markarian and Bureau member Vahan Hovhannesian on February 21. Armenia’s internal and foreign affairs were discussed during the one and a half hour meeting. Issues regarding the international recognition of the Armenian Genocide and the peaceful resolution of the Artsakh conflict were also discussed.
Hrant Markarian told the President his statemen’s in Strasbourg and in the interview with Le Figaro newspaper were understandable. However–the Armenian Revolutionary Federation considers the viewpoints expressed by Kocharian in his interview with Turkish journalist Mehmed Ali Birand unacceptable. The President had made controversial commen’s regarding territorial deman’s that may arise with the recognition of the Genocide.