NEWS RELEASES
April 21, 2004 (7:15 p.m. EDT) No. 60
CANADA REITERATES ITS FIRM POSITION ON THE ARMENIAN
TRAGEDY
Foreign Affairs Minister Bill Graham today issued the following statement concerning
the adoption of a private member's motion by the House of Commons following a
debate on the Armenian tragedy of 1915:
"The Government of Canada's position on this issue, as stated on June 10, 1999, in the
House of Commons, has not changed. We agree with the members of the House that
the events of 1915 to 1923 were tragic. Canada has condemned the atrocities
committed against hundreds of thousands of Armenians, including massive
deportations and massacres. In so doing, the Canadian government has continued to
urge the Armenian and Turkish communities to seek reconciliation and peace and to
look to the future to contribute to prosperity and stability in an impoverished and volatile
region. The Canadian government also believes that the issue is essentially for the
Armenian and Turkish governments and experts to resolve.
"Canada has had friendly and cooperative relations with Turkey and Armenia for many
years. The Canadian government is committed to make these relationships even
stronger in the future."
Debates and votes on private member's business in the House of Commons are an
integral part of the Canadian democratic process, but private member's motions are not
binding on the Government of Canada.
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For further information, media representatives may contact:
Isabelle Savard
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs
(613) 995-1851
Media Relations Office
Foreign Affairs Canada and International Trade Canada
(613) 995-1874
http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca
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