Ter-Petrosyan invites Sargsyan to discuss preparations for Armenian Genocide centenary in one-on-one talk

On January 29, Sargsyan read out the declaration, which was upheld unanimously by the members of the state commission set up for coordinating the events dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the genocide. 

In particular, it is said in the declaration that the state commission expresses the will of Armenia and Armenian people in seeking recognition of the Armenian Genocide worldwide and the genocide remedial steps and is working out a package of legal demands, considering it as the beginning of the process of restoration of individual, community and national rights and legal interests. 

«In my opinion, Armenia will not only fail to win the international community's affection because of this infamous document, but will also lose friendly states' support,» Ter-Petrosyan says in his letter. 

«I have a business proposal – to meet at any time and on the conditions chosen by you for one-on-one talk to exchange views on the matter. And to make this meeting effective, I think it is worth thinking about setting up a consultative commission for giving final specification to Armenia's stance on the genocide.» 

The first president of Armenia said that the commission's work will result in composition of a new message based on the original declaration, which will be sent to the UN secretary general, the OSCE chairman, the head of the European Union and leaders of all countries. 

«The message should be absolutely in tune with the UN Charter, Helsinki Declaration and the commitments assumed by Armenia as part of international conventions, should not contradict the Constitution of Armenia, should be free from traditional approaches of a nation that has never enjoyed statehood, should not jeopardize fulfillment of Armenia's most important objectives, such as improvement of Armenian-Turkish relations and settlement of Karabakh conflict,» he says in his message. 

Ter-Petrosyan also says that the commission should be made up of those people who have already proven to be able to rise above traditional perceptions and consider things taking into account Armenia's state interests and the principles adopted in the modern world. 

He named following persons: Babken Ararktsyan (a former parliament speaker), Vazgen Manukyan (the first prime minister), Gagik Harutyunyan (head of the Constitutional Court), Vano Siradeghyan (a former interior minister), Vardan Oskanyan (a former foreign minister), Stepan Demirchyan, Arman Grigoryan, Ruben Shugaryan, Alexander Arzumanyan, Ashot Voskanyan, Ara Sahakyan, Ruben Vardanyan, Ashot Sargsyan, Hrant Ter-Abrahamyan and Ktrich Sardaryan. From the United States he proposed Jirair Liparityan, Khachik Tololyan, Ruben Adalyan, Ara Sanjyan, Hambik Sarafyan and Raffi Urfalyan, from France Arman Saryan, Jirair Malkhasyan, Michel Maryan and Raffi Galfayan, from Turkey, Levon Zekian and from Argentina Ruben Mozian. 

«These are the people whom I know, and you can add new names to the list,» he says in his letter. 

He says he is ready to take part in the commission’s work. «It is very important not to make mistake here at the state and national levels, and all other things are insignificant and secondary.» 

«I am afraid that it is impossible to put this beneficial for our nation initiative in the reality amid the raging political persecution and a campaign against Gagik Tsarukyan, Prosperous Armenia Party and the opposition as a whole. I should also add that I am absolutely not anxious about what fuss will be made over my publication, which was prompted by upcoming centenary of the Armenian Genocide.» 

Levon Ter-Petrosyan ruled Armenia from 1990 to 1998. He resigned because of discord with the political elite over Karabakh problem. He run for presidency in 2008. --0----