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Armenian woman climbing the political ladder
A Turkish Armenian, Verkin Arıoba, applied to be a parliamentary deputy for the Justice and Development Party (AKP) and now awaits the vital decision of being placed on the party's electoral list.
If accepted, she will be the first parliamentary candidate of Armenian origins since the 1980s.
Verkin Arıoba, 61, told the Turkish Daily News that she aims to continue working on conflict resolution between Turks and Armenians, and European Union- Turkey relations if elected.
Arıoba does not say 'yes' or 'no'
In response to the critical question on Armenian claims of genocide, she said: “This is an issue of history. Insisting on discussing the issue everyday causes disadvantages. Let us look forward, looking back is not our duty.”
Arıoba's father was among Turkey's first businessmen, the Kasapyan family in Ankara. Arıoba noted that she did not lose any relatives during the expulsion of Armenians between 1915-1919.
“I lost some of my relatives during the independence war, but none during the expulsion,” Arıoba added.
Why AKP?
After working in the Beyoğlu branch of AKP for 2 years, she stressed that she knew all the procedures in AKP and had a chance to compare it with other parties given her background. However she is not sure whether or not she can manage a seat in Parliament.
She added that the previous parliament speaker Sabit Osman Avcı encouraged her to enter politics.
Arıoba is known to be critical of Orhan Pamuk, Turkey's first writer to win the Nobel Prize and Hrant Dink, a Turkish Armenian journalist assassinated in January.
The Armenian deputy candidate added that she received her family's approval and that of the Armenian Patriarch Bartolomeos before taking her decision.
“As an Armenian, I might be more influential for defending the rights of Turkey in the EU, if I am elected as a deputy,” said Arıoba who is educated abroad. “My advantage in the elections is being an Armenian” Arıoba added.
She is founder and executive director of the Historical Heritage Protection Foundation and played an active role in the opening of Akdamar Church located in the eastern province of Van.
Akdamar, an Armenian church reopened as a museum on March 29 after extensive renovation that took place from May 2005 to October 2006.
http://www.turkishdailynews.com.tr/a...?enewsid=73497
I remember that this woman protested Orhan Pamuk and Hrant Dink regarding their views and now she tries to be part of this islamic party.So interesting.
Photo of Verkin Arıoba :http://hurarsiv.hurriyet.com.tr/gost...spx?id=3667998
A Turkish Armenian, Verkin Arıoba, applied to be a parliamentary deputy for the Justice and Development Party (AKP) and now awaits the vital decision of being placed on the party's electoral list.
If accepted, she will be the first parliamentary candidate of Armenian origins since the 1980s.
Verkin Arıoba, 61, told the Turkish Daily News that she aims to continue working on conflict resolution between Turks and Armenians, and European Union- Turkey relations if elected.
Arıoba does not say 'yes' or 'no'
In response to the critical question on Armenian claims of genocide, she said: “This is an issue of history. Insisting on discussing the issue everyday causes disadvantages. Let us look forward, looking back is not our duty.”
Arıoba's father was among Turkey's first businessmen, the Kasapyan family in Ankara. Arıoba noted that she did not lose any relatives during the expulsion of Armenians between 1915-1919.
“I lost some of my relatives during the independence war, but none during the expulsion,” Arıoba added.
Why AKP?
After working in the Beyoğlu branch of AKP for 2 years, she stressed that she knew all the procedures in AKP and had a chance to compare it with other parties given her background. However she is not sure whether or not she can manage a seat in Parliament.
She added that the previous parliament speaker Sabit Osman Avcı encouraged her to enter politics.
Arıoba is known to be critical of Orhan Pamuk, Turkey's first writer to win the Nobel Prize and Hrant Dink, a Turkish Armenian journalist assassinated in January.
The Armenian deputy candidate added that she received her family's approval and that of the Armenian Patriarch Bartolomeos before taking her decision.
“As an Armenian, I might be more influential for defending the rights of Turkey in the EU, if I am elected as a deputy,” said Arıoba who is educated abroad. “My advantage in the elections is being an Armenian” Arıoba added.
She is founder and executive director of the Historical Heritage Protection Foundation and played an active role in the opening of Akdamar Church located in the eastern province of Van.
Akdamar, an Armenian church reopened as a museum on March 29 after extensive renovation that took place from May 2005 to October 2006.
http://www.turkishdailynews.com.tr/a...?enewsid=73497
I remember that this woman protested Orhan Pamuk and Hrant Dink regarding their views and now she tries to be part of this islamic party.So interesting.
Photo of Verkin Arıoba :http://hurarsiv.hurriyet.com.tr/gost...spx?id=3667998
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