Posted by hayaser on Thursday, March 26 @ 10:42:32 PDT (252 reads)
ADELAIDE, Australia—An ANC of Australia delegation was present this
week as the South Australian Parliament’s Legislative Council passed a
motion recognizing the Armenian Genocide as “one of the greatest crimes
against humanity.”
The motion, introduced by David Ridgway MLC, the leader of the
Liberal Opposition in the Legislative Council, and seconded by the Hon.
Bernard Finnigan, a member of the Labor Government in the Legislative
Council, went through unopposed, and sees the Upper House join the New
South Wales Parliament in condemning “the genocide of the Armenians and
all other acts of genocide.”
This motion is the first to include recognition of recently
uncovered material detailing the significant humanitarian effort by
South Australians, who aided the victims and survivors of the genocide
almost a century ago.
The people of South Australia, as part of the global Near East
Relief effort, answered calls for aid by donating clothing, money, and
infrastructure, such as an orphanage in Lebanon that housed child
survivors.
When introducing the motion earlier this month, a proud Ridgway
said, “I would like to recognize South Australia’s role in the first
major international humanitarian relief effort.
As was the case for the
genocide itself, that effort was not broadly publicized.”
“It goes without saying that such acts as the Armenian Genocide
epitomize prejudices against race, religion, and culture,” he said.
“For most Australians, those attitudes are difficult to comprehend, but
unfortunately they remain commonplace in many societies today.”
Finnigan also addressed the House in seconding the motion, saying,
“In light of growing international awareness of the Armenian Genocide,
and given the horrific nature of the genocide itself, it is time for we
South Australians to do our part.”
ANC Australia political relations officer Vache Kahramanian
commended Ridgway, Finnigan and their Legislative Council colleagues
for recognizing what he described a “proud intertwining of histories
for Armenian Australians.”
“It is fitting that South Australia is the first to honor this
significant moment in Australian history—the first time this great
nation came to the aid of a needy people a whole world away,”
Kahramanian said. “It is important for nations like Australia to
recognize and condemn all acts of genocide, as some, like the Armenian
Genocide, remain unpunished.”
Ridgway commended the Armenian Australian community and the ANC of Australia for their excellent leadership.
“I am grateful to be in an ongoing working relationship with the
Armenian community,” he said. “The Armenian National Committee is
dedicated to a campaign which advocates recognition of the genocide,
and today’s motion is also a tribute to its tireless efforts on behalf
of the Armenian community.”
Sahakian, Experts Discusses Reopening of Stepanakert Airport
Posted by hayaser on Thursday, March 05 @ 20:01:57 PST (183 reads)
STEPANAKERT (Hetq)--Nagorno-Karabakh
Republic President Bako Sahakian met Wednesday with a delegation from
Armenia's Department of Civil Aviation and representatives from
architectural and construction organizations to discuss issues related
to the reopening of the Stepanakert airport.
President Sahakian
expressed satisfaction that the first stage of the airport's reopening
had been successfully completed and noted that the second stage must be
executed at the same quick tempo. He added that the construction of a
passenger facility that meets international standards must be realized
within the allotted time frame.
The Karabakh government,
Sahakyan stressed, would do “all in its power to see that such a
strategically important project” as the airport comes to fruition.
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