YEREVAN (Azg)–The July 14 issue of the French "Paris Match" magazine reported that President Jacques Chirac of France not only has postponed but has completely "scrapped" his visit to Armenia–originally scheduled for September–"not to upset Turkey."
The move was not directed against Armenia–assures the magazine. There have been no reported cases of a world leader canceling a trip to Turkey to not upset Armenia.
Armenia’s Foreign Ministry reported that the reason for the cancellation was not to upset Turkey–but since there were no concrete changes in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict resolution–the French leader has opted to not visit the region.
The Turkish daily Milliyet reported that Armenia was preparing to introduce a resolution recognizing the Armenian Genocide during the upcoming United Nations General Assembly in the fall.
The newspaper report added that Armenia was also attempting to use language condemning the Armenian Genocide based on provisions approved by the UN in Geneva.
It will be interesting to see in what form the Armenia’s will present the issue at the UN–stated the newspaper–but those who are encouraged by the French Genocide Bill will be working hard to ensure a bill at the UN.
Milliyet reported that Turkey was prepared to counter Armenian efforts if they reach the General Assembly.
The newspaper also condemned the Armenian National Committee of America-Western Region to counter Turkish efforts to establish a Turkish Studies chair at the Washington University. Milliyet quoted ANCA-WR Executive Director Vicken Sonentz-Papazian who stated that Turkey–under the guise of Ottoman and Turkish cultural studies–utilizes the academic chairs for denying the Armenian Genocide.