CANBERRA—Documents obtained under a Freedom of Information request by the Armenian National Committee of Australia (ANC Australia) confirm that the Australian government continues to be silenced by Turkey on the issue of the Armenian Genocide.
In a letter addressed to then-Foreign Minister of Turkey, Ahmet Davutoglu, Julie Bishop, Australia’s Foreign Minister, writes: “Recognising the important interests at stake for both countries, I assure you that there has been no decision to change the long-standing position of successive Australian Governments on this issue.”
The letter from the Australian Foreign Minister further emphasizes Turkey’s “gag rule” by qualifying Australia’s position on the Armenian Genocide with the words: “Recognising the important interests at stake for both countries.” It has already been revealed that Turkey is currently on an international campaign to gag leading nations from speaking truthfully and honestly on the Armenian Genocide.
A large part of the documents released by the Department of Foreign Affairs were redacted in full, citing disclosure of documents would cause damage to “the international relations of the Commonwealth.”
ANC Australia Executive Director, Vache Kahramanian, commented: “It is obvious that Australia has succumbed to Turkey’s ongoing threats to ban Members of Parliament from attending the centenary commemorations at ANZAC Cove, and even close ANZAC Cove in its entirety in the lead up to the Centenary, should Australia recognise the events of 1915 as genocide.”
“It is bewildering that the Australian government needs to redact a large number of documents held by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade on the Armenian Genocide.”
Kahramanian added: “It is clear that Australian government officials continue to succumb to ongoing threats by Turkey and as a result allow a foreign government to dictate Australia’s position on this issue.”
“In this centenary year, where Australia will commemorate the horrors of World War I, it should also have the moral courage to unequivocally recognise and condemn the Armenian Genocide and pay homage to the thousands of Australians who were at the forefront of providing international aid during and after the Armenian Genocide of 1915-1923.”
Her Majesty Julie Bishop i will tell this much the way the west acting giving up to Turkey or
to Islams soon or lather they will be is Australia and they will got your grand children throat like chicken
you will be long gone but your grand children even will not have time to spit on your grave
Just follow the money trail…….
the truth always comes out , and the liars always forgotten , if your in power , you enjoy your ego , then have the courage to tell the truth and pin another medal to your chest and record your name in history as the first to tell the truth on this issue .. I challenge you , I accuse you , I would like to celebrate and remember you as standing on the side of truth .
If US permits Turkey to gag rule her, I guess every one else will follow suit. That is why, we should not trust anybody. We are our mountains and our cause. Dzer Tsave Tamem Im Hay Zhogovurd. Amur Katsek.
The Anglo countries will never recognize the AG. Australia is not an independent nation, it is an appendage of the UK/US/Israeli empire. Stop wasting your energies and monies on these countries.