ARMENIANS, ASSYRIANS IN ENGLAND JOIN FORCES FOR GENOCIDE RECOGNITION

Assyrian International News Agency
Oct 23 2007

London — Sunday 21st October marked a step forward for the Assyrians
fighting for genocide recognition committed almost one-hundred years
ago in Turkey . The Armenian community, who have the genocide of
their people officially recognised in 19 countries, pledged to work
with the Assyrians to also gain genocide recognition, for the very
least within the UK.

The event which was organised by CRAG (Campaign for the Recognition of
Armenian Genocide), saw scholar Sabri Atman discuss issues surrounding
the Genocide of the Assyrians and Armenians, proposing questions for
thought and challenging controversial differences between the two
communities to inevitably bring them together.

The event, held at the Assyrian House, Ealing, brought together both
members of the Assyrian and Armenian community. It was here that
representatives from CRAG and the Armenian Solidarity offered to
unite with the Assyrian community in equal footing and on all levels,
to achieve recognition of the Assyrian and Armenian.

The Genocide of the Assyrians and Armenians took place during the
rule of the Ottoman Empire in Turkey . The focus of the Empire was
to ethnically cleanse the nation, in a bid to create a Pan-Turkish
state with one Flag, one race and one religion. This resulted in the
brutal murders of millions and an equal deportation of others.

The objective of the lecture was to discuss the possibility of Turkey
joining the EU (European Union), and whether this should be allowed
while their Government still accept no responsibility for their
past crimes.

Campaigning organisation for the Genocide, Seyfo Centre UK, who were
also in attendance and co-hosted the event, would like to extend
a warm heartfelt thanks to CRAG for organising the event, and for
officially pledging, together with Armenian Solidarity, to work with
the Assyrian people in achieving recognition.

Mr. Nineb Lamassu of Seyfo Centre UK said, "This is of course a
positive step forward and this would be empowering not only for the
Assyrians but the Armenians too. For from now on we can speak in one
united voice and demand what is just from our governments. We are
positive these pledges — from both the Armenians and Assyrians –
were not rhetorical and we should see them manifested in the very
near future".