YEREVAN (Armradio.am) — The issue of recognition of the Armenian Genocide has created internal tension in Germany. The discussions before and after April 24 seem to be frozen now. Last week the Lefts addressed a letter to the ruling coalition, requesting an answer as to when the discussions on the issue will continue.
Three bills on the recognition of the Armenian Genocide are pending at the Bundestag. It’s not yet clear whether the final document will describe the historic facts as ‘genocide’ or not.
Speaking at a press conference in Yerevan, Turkish German lawmaker Hasan Burgucuoglu, member of Hamburg’s regional parliament confessed that “discussions on the bill drag out because of the efforts of Turkey.”
“A day before the discussions at the Bundestag, Davutoglu called Chancellor Angela Merkel several times to ask not to utter the word genocide,” he said.
The three bills at the Bundestag have been submitted by the Lefts, the Green Party and the ruling coalition.
Representative of the Party of Lefts Hasan Burgucuoglu did not say exactly when the bills will be finalized and put on a vote, but noted that “if it’s left to the Government, they will drag it out for years.” He added, however, that both the Lefts and the Greens have a clear position on the issue and will pursue the consideration and adoption of the resolution.
“We’ll not allow the German authorities to throw dust in the eyes of people and undertake steps only on April 24 to flatter the Armenians,” the lawmaker said.
Hasan Burgucuoglu is a former political prisoner, who fled Turkey to escape persecution because of his clear stance on the Armenian Genocide. Despite this, he considers himself a descendant of the ancestors with a dirty biography.