PRESS OFFICE
Armenian Holy Apostolic Church Canadian Diocese
Contact; Deacon Hagop Arslanian, Assistant to the Primate
615 Stuart Avenue, Outremont Quebec H2V 3H2
Tel; 514-276-9479, Fax; 514-276-9960
Email; adiocese@aol.com
Website; _www.armenianchurch.ca_ ()
May 11, 2006
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Primate Pays Tribute to Senator Romeo Dallaire

Retired Lt.-Gen. Romeo Dallaire, who gained an international
reputation for condemning the lack of global action in preventing the
Rwandan genocide, has been named to a new United Nations committee
charged with advising the world body on genocidal conflicts.

Dallaire, also a Senator in Canada, was one of eight people named to
the Genocide Prevention Advisory Committee this week. Dallaire
commanded the UN Forces in Rwanda during the 1994 genocide. Archbishop
Desmond Tutu of South Africa is also serving on the committee, whose
mandate involves advising the UN on preventing genocide as well as
what action to take if a conflict erupts.

On Wednesday, May 10, 2006 His Eminence Bishop Bagrat Galstanian sent
a letter of acknowledgement and appreciation to Senator
Dallaire. Following is the letter of Serpazan.

No 2006.115
May 10, 2006
Honourable Romeo Dallaire
Senate of Canada
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0A4
Honourable Senator,

We are gratified to learn that you have been named to the Genocide
Prevention Advisory Committee of the United Nations, a consultative
committee to the world body on genocide conflicts. It is imperative
that the issue of genocide be recognized and prevented. Undeniably,
those efforts depend on individuals who possess high levels of moral
principles, dedication and conviction. Your devoted and conscious
service with the UN forces in Rwanda demonstrates a clear vision and
understanding of the definition of Genocide. This issue should draw
the attention and abhorrence of the world.

Regretfully, in 2006, the world is witnessing yet again, occurrences
of genocide. Although many individuals are working to raise awareness
and to promote some political action, not all acknowledge the depth of
the dilemma or are willing to take the necessary action. There can be
no confusion on the question; many hundreds of thousands have
perished, and millions have been displaced. It is our moral
responsibility to call attention to the anguish in Darfur. We,
Armenians have suffered the pain of the first genocide of the
twentieth century and are very apprehensive that the world is once
again hesitant to act.

As quoted from Baroness Caroline Cox, of the British House of Lords in
April 1999, “If nations are allowed to commit genocide with impunity,
to hide their guilt in a camouflage of lies and denials, there is a
real danger that other brutal regimes will be encouraged to attempt
genocides. Unless we speak today of the Armenian genocide and unless
the Government recognizes this historical fact, we shall leave this
century of unprecedented genocides with this blot on our consciences.”

Once again, we are called to act and act now. History will judge us
all, for our awareness and willingness to take a stand. With prayers,

Bishop Bagrat Galstanian, Primate
Diocese of the Armenian Church in Canada