Honourable Jim Karygiannis, P.C., M.P.

Dear Hon. Karygiannis,

Thank you very much for directly contacting us to elaborate
on our request from Mr. Thomas Saras.

On January 13, 2004, we read in some news channels that the
"National Ethnics Press and Media Council of Canada" (NEPMCC)
adopted a resolution recognizing the so called "Armenian
genocide" and calling on the Federal Government of Canada to
do so. As a check on the web site of the said Council confirmed
that the text of such a "resolution" was not posted yet, we c
ontacted Mr. Saras, the President of NEPMCC to inquire if such
a resolution was indeed adopted and if so, if he can send us
the text of it and the minutes of discussions made during the
adaptation, if any was made. After a couple of inquiries, Mr.
Saras was kind enough to send us the text of the resolution,
which is also attached to your e-mail message.

As you would have seen, there are several references to the
"Turkish Government" in the text of this "resolution". It is,
in my opinion, a gross misrepresentation of the Turkish history
and clearly and directly concerns us as the representatives of
the Turkish Government or "the external affairs of Turkey" in
your words. We are at loss why and how you would consider this
resolution as "a domestic issue in Canada". If an NGO in Canada
chooses to act on an issue regarding a foreign government, that
act can no longer be considered as a domestic issue. Please be
assured that this Embassy is very well aware of what a domestic
issue is and what not, and performs its duties within the
parameters of the international law and the established
diplomatic practice.

Availing myself of this opportunity, I would like to inform you
that we will obviously continue to inquire about this matter to
further understand the conditions surrounding this act of the
NEPMCC and all the relevant issues including the suitability of
this action to its own declared principles and its relations to
official Canadian institutions.

On a separate note, I noticed that you have signed your e-mail
as "Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Transport". I
would be happy to provide a full report to the Minister of
Transport if this issue is considered as a concern to the said
Ministry.

Please do not hesitate to contact us again should you require any further information.

Sincerely,

Aydemir Erman
Ambassador of Republic of Turkey