CONDEMNATION OF DESTRUCTION OF ARMENIAN KHACHKARS ECHOES FROM RUSSIA
By Ruzan Poghosian
AZG Armenian Daily
28/03/2006
On March 17-19, within the framework of the Days of Armenian Culture
in Russia the Armenian embassy to Moscow organized discussions on the
history and culture of Nakhijevan as well as on ways of condemnation
of the destruction of Armenian khachkars.
On March 17, “Nakhijevan – Witnesses of Culture and History” photo
exhibition of eminent armenlogist and specialist in the history of
Nakhijevan, Argam Ayvazian, opened. The film “The Stolen Melody:
Jugha” of the author’s “Destroyed Armenia” film series was shown
at the cultural center of the Union of Armenians of Russia. A
round table with the participation of Armenian organizations,
Russian intelligentsia, scientists and mass media representatives
was staged on March 19. After the discussions an application was
composed for the Russian president, government, State Duma, Russian
Church and political and non-governmental organizations. “We condemn
the destruction of Armenian historic-cultural monuments of Old Jugha
by Azeri authorities in 1998-2006. Today, when the Armenian and Azeri
sides are seeking for a regulation to the Nagorno Karabakh conflict,
official Baku shamelessly has completed the last stage of vandalism
in Nakhijevan by destructing more than 27.000 Armenian monuments.”
“We inform with resentment that Azerbaijan continues its policy
of distortion of historic facts of Russia, Armenia and the whole
Caucasian region disclosing the truth from its own people and the
world community. All these contradict to the UN Declaration of 1948
on cultural and historic heritage. We call for state and non-profit
organizations of Russia, the Russian Orthodox Church, mass media to
condemn the aforesaid acts of vandalism as well as to demand the Azeri
authorities follow undertaken obligations and international regulations
for protecting other nations’ historic and cultural heritage.”