AZERBAIJANI CONSUL GENERAL TO LOS-ANGELES SENDS LETTER OF PROTEST TO WILSHIRE EBELL THEATRE’S GENERAL MANAGER

AzerTag
April 18 2008
Azerbaijan

Elin Suleymanov, Azerbaijani Consul General to Los-Angeles sent a
letter of protest to Philip Miller, General Manager of the Wilshire
Ebell Theatre regarding Armenian Cultural Foundation’s plans to hold an
event called "Artsakh 20th Anniversary Commemoration" at the Theatre.

The letter says "Artsakh 20th Anniversary Commemoration" is a reference
to the beginning of the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict in 1988, the most
violent confrontation in the former Soviet Union to date. The reality
is that, on May 2, the Wilshire Ebell Theatre will be hosting the
celebration of a conflict, which costs tens of thousands of lives
in both Armenia and Azerbaijan and led to displacement of over one
million civilians.

Numerous governments, international governmental agencies, as well as
U.S. government policy officially recognize the illegal occupation of
this Azerbaijani territory; acknowledge the ethnic cleansing conducted
by Armenia and the presence of hundreds of thousands of refugees.

As I sit to write this letter, the U.S. government is working
vigorously toward resolving the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict. Please,
understand that, not a single nation, including the United States,
and in fact, Armenia, recognize the separatist regime of so-called
"Artsakh".

I understand that Wilshire Ebell Theatre is a private institution
and that the Armenian Cultural Foundation is entitled to have
private events. However, as the subject involves Azerbaijan’
internationally-recognized territory, as well as the ongoing suffering
of people and wounds yet to be healed on both sides, I urge you
to consider the ethical and moral ramification and affects of this
event. I cannot imagine Azerbaijan ever welcoming a celebration of an
event as painful to Americans as the beginning of this unresolved
conflict is for the Azerbaijanis. Moreover, celebrating ethnic
cleansing and violence against civilians is hardly compatible with
the Wilshire Ebell’s history and reputation.

I look forward to hearing from you and discussing our concerns in
greater detail.