YOUNG ARFD MEMBERS OF GREECE ORGANIZE ACTION OF PROTEST ON OCCASION OF AZERI PRESIDENT’S VISIT TO GREECE

Noyan Tapan
Feb 18, 2009

ATHENS, FEBRUARY 18, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. Azeri President
Ilham Aliyev’s visit to Greece was accompanied by an action of protest
organized by the ARFD Youth Union of Greece. According to the Azat Or
(Free Day) newspaper, Azeri President’s peace was broken, when the
action of protest participants voiced "Karabakh is ours!" at the
moment he entered Greece Chamber of Commerce.

An hour before the meeting of Greek and Azeri businessmen young
ARFD members, who had gathered in front of the Chamber of Commerce,
hoisted the state flags of Armenia, Greece, and Artsakh, as well as
a placard with the inscription "Aliyev, stop the aggression, Karabakh
is already independent."

According to the Azat Or, Azeri President’s smile froze on his face,
when coming out of the armoured car he looked at the crowd gathered
on the opposite pavement and heard the voice of fair complaint and
request of the Armenians.

"The Azeri bodyguards responsible for Azeri President’s security rudely
treated representatives of Armenians exercising their democratic right
of action of protest and demonstration hindering the entrance of Azat
Or’s editor and Armenian photographer photographing the gathering to
the meeting hall. And Greek Police forces surrounded their compatriots
expressing their complaint on the pavement in front of the meeting
building," the newspaper reported.

In spite of policemen’s attempt to repulse the demonstrants the
latters refused to leave and met with applause President of Greece
Karolos Papoulias, who arrived a little later.

During the meeting with Greek businessmen the Azeri President once
more used the chance to voice anti-Armenian statements again touching
upon "issues of seizing Azerbaijan’s lands by Armenia and issues
of refugees."