Canadian Armenians condole with Hrant Dink’s family

ArmRadio.am
20.01.2007 12:30

Hrant Dink, our compatriot and well-known editor and publisher of the
Turkish-Armenian newspaper "Agos", was brutally shot dead in Istanbul.

The Congress of Canadian Armenians condemns this act of terrorism by
Turkish extremists, and joins Armenians around the world in offering
our sincere condolences to Mr. Dink’s family. He fought fervidly for
democracy, human rights and freedom of speech in Turkey.

In a communique issued earlier today to the 10 largest English and
French language newspapers across the country, Taro Alepian, Chairman
of the Congress of Canadian Armenians, said:

"Mr. Dink was a responsible voice in Turkey. He had called on the
Turkish government to recognize that genocide was perpetrated on
Armenians by a predecessor regime in 1915, so that modern Turks can
then disassociate themselves from the sins of their ancestors and
finally bury this unfortunate event in the pages of history where it
rightly belongs. The tragedy of his assassination is strongly
condemned. This unfortunate event should now be transformed into an
opportunity for reconciliation between the people of Turkey and
Armenians around the world. The extremists who killed him should not
have the final say."

The member organizations of the Congress of Canadian Armenians include
(in alphabetical order): AGBU Alex Manoogian School, AGBU Montreal
Chapter, Armenian Democratic Liberal Party, Holy Cross Church of
Laval, St. Gregory the Illuminator Church of Montreal, S.D. Hunchakian
Party, Society of Armenians from Istanbul, Tekeyan Cultural
Association. The statement in this e-mail is also endorsed by AGBU of
Toronto and Holy Trinity Church of Toronto.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress