SCHOLAR PRESENTS ON AZERI DESTRUCTION OF ARMENIAN HERITAGE TO EUROPEAN COMMISSION

Tuesday, April 28, 2009
4/28/2009_1

BRUSSELS–A leading expert on the destruction of Armenian monuments
in Azerbaijan presented his research to the European Commission last
week, detailing the Azeri government’s systematic campaign to erase
any trace of the historic Armenian presence in the country, reported
the European Armenian Federation for Justice and Democracy.

Presenting his new book, "The Invention of History," Professor Rouben
Galichian spoke the European Commission on the worsening situation
in Nakhichevan, an Armenian province placed under Azeri control by
Joseph Stalin. He detailed the government’s campaign to destroy more
than 4000 cross stones of an Armenian cemetery in Julfa, Nakhichevan.

The operation, which in 2004, effectively destroyed the centuries-old
cemetery, mimicked similar campaigns by the Taliban in Afghanistan,
Galichian said.

The book, while providing a report on the destruction of Armenian
monuments and churches, also details how the Azeri government has
modified its maps, changing names of historic Armenian towns, cities
and cites in Nakhichevan to eliminate any historic evidence of the
Armenian presence in the province.

Members of the European Commission responded to Galichian’s
demonstration by noting their familiarity with the issue and asking
instead for him to elaborate how the Azeri government is continuing
its anti-Armenian propaganda within its schools.

Also discussed were concerns by the European Commission over
Azerbaijan’s repeated refusal to allow European officials access to
the areas where cultural monuments have been reported destroyed.

"We are glad to note a certain knowledge from members of the European
Commission about these heritage and historical misappropriations"
said Hilda Tchoboian, the president of the European Armenian
Federation. "The Commission seems to understand that Armenia accepts
with difficulty the quarrelsome attitude of its neighbor Azerbaijan
which desires war and encourages its population to hate Armenians."

Tchoboian said that Azerbaijan needs Europe more Europe needs
Azerbaijan. "The EU should be more assertive with Baku taking based
on the principles of the European Neighborhood Policy and the Eastern
Partnership" she added.