The Armenian National Council of South America (Consejo Nacional Armenio de Sudamerica, CNA) issued a statement on the initialed Armenian-Turkish Protocols. The CNA regards as unacceptable many of the points of the Protocols — first of all the terms set for a final ratification of the Protocols by the Armenian and Turkish Parliaments.

The CNA believes that six months is a term that is the result of economic and diplomatic pressure on Armenia endangering the country’s national security and Armenians’ rights. The Protocols provide for the formation of a subcommittee to “conduct an impartial scientific study of historical documents and archives.” According to the CNA, Turkey’s aim is to challenge the fact of the Armenian Genocide and get the international recognition of the fact delayed.

By means of these actions, Turkey plans to conceal the crime against humanity. The CNA seriously doubts the Turkish Government’s sincerity in the context of its Genocide denial policy and prosecution of those admitting the fact of the Armenian Genocide (Article 301 of the Criminal Code of Turkey).

The CNA believes that, to establish friendly relations with Armenia, Turkey should first of all admit the Armenian Genocide with all the ensuing consequences. The organization recalls the statements made by Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davudoglu that the terms of reopening of the Armenian-Turkish border had not yet been specified and Turkey would never make any steps against its and Azerbaijan’s national interests.

Turkey must not be allowed to pursue this policy taking advantage of its neighbor’s economic vulnerability, the CNA states. The international community must denounce Turkey’s position practically applied by means of the Protocols.