AZERBAIJANI AND TURKISH DIASPORA MEMBERS HOLD COUNTER-DEMONSTRATION AGAINST ARMENIAN DEMONSTRATORS OUTSIDE TURKISH EMBASSY IN WASHINGTON

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
April 25 2008

Washington. Husniyya Hasanova-APA. As an update of the April 24
events in Washington DC dealing with Armenian "genocide" allegations,
members of Turkish community, joined by Azeri activists, held very
successful counter-demonstration against Armenian demonstrators,
representative of Azerbaijan Society of America (ASA) in Washington
Bedir Mammadli told APA. It was the most successful counter-event
organized by Turkish community members so far.

The event was successful in terms of participant turnout, organization,
logistics, and enthusiasm shown by community members. For the
first time, thanks to preliminary measures taken by Turks, Armenian
demonstrators, under the police watch, were pushed away from the
Turkish Embassy-side of the Massachusetts avenue. For the first time,
they had to choose the other side of the avenue thereby staying
farther from the embassy. Turkish community formed a chain around
the embassy by making it very difficult for Armenians to make their
signs visible to the embassy. Occasionally, Turks turned their backs
against them and showing their solidarity with the embassy.

The representatives of both communities demonstrated signs reflecting
Armenians’ savageries in Eastern Anatolia in 1915 and Khojaly. "Out
of Karabakh" and "Out of Azerbaijan" were the most chanted slogans.

Armenian demonstrators had to leave ahead of schedule. Their departure
was accompanied by Turkish national anthem and Sari Gelin sang
by Turks.

After the event was over, Turkish Ambassador Nebi Shensoy and his
staff members came to personally greet and thank the demonstrators
for their support. The ambassador, who expressed his satisfaction,
asked the community members to continue their efforts in the future
in order to adequately respond to Armenian lies.