VARTAN OSKANIAN ABOUT THE DELAY OF THE EXHIBITION ON RWANDA GENOCIDE
ArmRadio.am
11.04.2007 11:22
Regarding the delay of opening of a United Nations exhibit on the
Rwanda Genocide, RA Acting Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian said: "It’s
not enough that the Turkish Government considers that it can conceal
the history from its people. The distortion campaign has gone so far
that they have banned the opening of the exhibition on Rwanda Genocide.
The exhibition sponsored by the Aegis Trust NGO telling about the
terrible events in Rwanda, has been delayed because the Turkish mission
specifically registered its objection to a reference in the exhibit
concerning the origin of the word "genocide," and the conclusion of
Raphael Lemkin, the international lawyer and human rights activist
who coined this term, that such large-scale and planned massacre
is genocide.
Raphael Lemkin’s work comprises part of the world history. It is
unacceptable for a UN member state to dare to show such intolerance
towards the United Nations Organization. Armenia cannot allow the
world history, the current sufferings of the peoples of Rwanda and
Darfur and the memories of injustice of Armenians be subjected to
such coldhearted and cynical ignorance.
It is shameful that this postponement that occurred because of Turkish
pressure refers to an event that had the aim to teach how to defend
human rights and prevent genocides. Instead, this is a complete lack
of respect for history and historic memory.