YEREVAN, OCTOBER 6, NOYAN TAPAN. "The Ramkavar Azatakan Party takes a definite position on the issue of Armenia-Turkey protocols: Armenia cannot remain in a stagnant state regarding its relations with Turkey. Therefore Armenia should not be afraid of steps aimed at establishing relations with Turkey," Dr. Arshavir Gyonjian, a long-time Chairman of the RAP Central Board, a founding member of the AGBU, stated at the October 5 press conference. According to him, it is necessary to take these steps without fear, otherwise we will become a "stagnant country that has retired into its shell". However, in his words, due caution should be exercised in bilateral relations. "I am concerned about two issues at the moment: the Genocide and the liberated territories of Karabakh," A. Gyonjian noted. In his opinion, with respect to the Genocide, such steps should be undertaken that the powerful movement existing in the Diaspora for decades and aimed at the recognition of the Genocide by other states will not cause any difficulties. He said that these are the issues giving cause for concern and added that the recent meetings of RAP with the country's authorities showed that they are also concerned about these issues. Speaking about the measures initiated by the ARF, A. Gyonjian called the ARF's step in the Diaspora demagogic. "This demagogy is of no practical value. At the same time it is dangerous because it may lead to a rupture between Diaspora Armenians and Armenia," A. Gyonjian underlined.

---