ARF Armenia’s Youth and “Nicole Aghbalyan” student Unions, under the Armenian Genocide centennial programs, were carrying out a youth-and-student protest on Charents street, near the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany to Armenia. The youth wanted to handed over a request-letter to the German ambassador. However, the Ambassador Rainer Morel did not come out and even any press officer did not come out to meet with the youth. Only the security officer expressed willingness to pass the letter to the Ambassador. Note that the youth requested the following in the letter: “We demand the Bundestag to pass laws that will criminalize the denial of the Armenian Genocide in Germany. Exert pressure on Turkey to admit the Armenian Genocide and undertake steps for the full reparation. We urge the Government of Germany to become an advocate for the recognition of the Armenian Genocide internationally.”
The Ambassador did not respond to ARF youth and did not come out of the Embassy. This upset them. In the conversation with Aravot.am, Board representative of “Nicole Aghbalyan” Student Union Gevorg Ghukasyan noted, “What happened, in all aspects, is beyond not only the moral, but also diplomatic boundaries. This is an unacceptable step in diplomatic practice. Really, it is strange and does not fit in the logic.” In the conversation with us, a member of the Central Committee of the ARF-D Youth Union of Armenia, Ani Khachatryan said, “The Ambassador to the Federal Republic of Germany refused to accept our claim passed through the security officer. As a state that has recognized and encountered its history, we thought that Germany will come up with a call and will present a claim to the Republic of Turkey to recognize and encounter its past. But, currently, the representative of the German Federal Republic to Armenia refused to accept this request. Hence, the German Ambassador to Armenia runs an evasive policy”.
Note that upset with what happened, ARF youth chanting “shame, shame” moved away from the Embassy. A few minutes later, the Ambassador came out of to the street. And as to why he did not want to meet the protesting youth, in the conversation with Aravot.am, Mr. Ambassador said that “”allegedly” I do not have the habit to speak with the protesters.” Note that the next Thursday, on April 16, ARF youth will organize a protest with a letter-request in front of the US Embassy to Armenia.
Tatev HARUTYUNYAN
