HistoryofTruth.com - Armenian Allegations

Britain’s ambassador in Yerevan has commented on a newspaper article entitled “Britain accused of ’genocide denial’ over Armenia.”

Armenian web site News.am asked Charles Lonsdale to comment on the article published in the Guardian newspaper on 3 November, in which leading lawyer Geoffrey Robertson criticized the UK government over its failure to recognize the 1915 killing of Armenians in the Ottoman Empire as genocide.

News.am asked Charles Lonsdale, “What are the prospects of Turkey’s joining the EU if it persists in genocide negation?”

The ambassador replied: “Recognition of the events of 1915—16 as genocide is not a pre-condition for Turkey's membership of the EU. However, under the political criteria for membership Turkey is expected to maintain 'good neighbourly relations' with countries in the region.”

Asked how the holocaust differs from the Armenian genocide and why the great powers are so inconsistent on the matter, Charles Lonsdale said: “We acknowledge and regret the terrible suffering that afflicted the Ottoman Armenian population early in the past century. We must ensure that such suffering is not forgotten. But we believe that it is first and foremost for the Turkish and Armenian people to address their common history. We would encourage any process which helps them do so in an open, honest and constructive manner.”