STOCKHOLM (Combined Sources)–Armenia’s Prime Minister Andranik Margaryan met with UN Secretary General Kofi Annan–and Rabbi Arthur Schneier on the sidelines of the Stockholm International Forum 2004–"Prevention of Genocide–Threats and Responsibility," which convened on Monday.
As suggested by Margaryan on Monday–in his speech at the plenary session of the conference–Secretary General Annan conveyed he would urge the United Nations to designate 2005 as the "Year of Struggle Against Wars–Genocides–Deportations–and Violation of Human Rights," in commemoration of the 90th Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide and the 60th Anniversary of Victory in World War II–and an end to the four-year Stockholm conference.
A member of the official US delegation–Rabbi Schneier asked how he could assist in improving of Armenian-Turkish relations. The Rabbi has consistently been an adamant supporter for the recognition of the Armenian Genocide.
In his Monday speech–Margarian emphasized that though there are no positive signals from Turkey–Armenia nevertheless wished to–"see Turkey freed of the burden of the past–beyond the policy of nihilism–and a country aimed at integration with European structures."
