| |
Argus
Artice
Security tightened at Senedd for Armenian exhibition
Sep 25 2010 by Martin Shipton, Western Mail
Security tightened at Senedd for Armenian exhibition
SPECIAL security measures have been put in place at the Senedd to
protect an exhibition marking what Armenians describe as genocide
committed against their nation by Turkey nearly 100 years ago.
The exhibition is the first of its kind to be held at any legislature
in the world, and is being hailed by the Armenian diaspora as a
major step forward in their campaign to get international recognition
for the genocide claim.
However, many Turks bitterly resent the suggestion that their nation
committed genocide in 1915 and some have resorted to violence against
those who make the claim.
In 2007, Hrant Dink, the editor of a Turkish Armenian newspaper,
was assassinated in Istanbul after writing articles that were critical
of what he saw as Turkey's failure to come to terms with its past.
A year later, a memorial cross erected outside Cardiff's Temple
of Peace was smashed the night before a gathering to commemorate
the first anniversary of Dink's murder.
Today, the photographic exhibition about the dark moment in European
history will be opened on the first floor in the Senedd.
Usually, such exhibitions are unmanned, but because of the perceived
threat from Turkish opponents, those wanting to see it will have
to be accompanied by security volunteers.
The events involved massacres and deportations in forced marches
under conditions designed to lead to the death of the deportees.
The total number of resulting Armenian deaths is generally held
to have been 1-1.5 million.
It is acknowledged by many historians to have been one of the first
modern genocides, with scholars pointing to the systematic, organised
manner in which the killings were carried out.
It is the second most studied case of genocide after the Holocaust.
The majority of Armenian diaspora communities were founded as a
result of what happened.
John Torosyan, a leading member of the Welsh Armenian community,
said: "There is no doubt that Wales is leading the rest of
the UK in the long overdue recognition for the Armenian genocide.
"That is clearly demonstrated by the unveiling of the Khatckar
[memorial cross] at the Temple of Peace in Cardiff - the only monument
in the UK on public grounds - in November 2007, the Holocaust Memorial
Day event in January 2010 in which the Armenians were mentioned
for the first time in 10 years, the message of sympathy we received
from First Minister Carwyn Jones in April this year, and now this
exhibition."
The exhibition, which is sponsored by Plaid Cymru AM Dai Lloyd,
has been put together by Armenian historian Vardan Tadevosyan.
He said: "This is an exhibition about the genocide which took
place, but also tells of the links between Armenia and the UK."
The exhibition is on show until next Friday
Western Mail Article
Security tightened at Senedd for Armenian exhibition
Sep 25 2010 by Martin Shipton, Western Mail
Security tightened at Senedd for Armenian exhibition
SPECIAL security measures have been put in place at the Senedd to
protect an exhibition marking what Armenians describe as genocide
committed against their nation by Turkey nearly 100 years ago.
The exhibition is the first of its kind to be held at any legislature
in the world, and is being hailed by the Armenian diaspora as a
major step forward in their campaign to get international recognition
for the genocide claim.
However, many Turks bitterly resent the suggestion that their nation
committed genocide in 1915 and some have resorted to violence against
those who make the claim.
In 2007, Hrant Dink, the editor of a Turkish Armenian newspaper,
was assassinated in Istanbul after writing articles that were critical
of what he saw as Turkey's failure to come to terms with its past.
A year later, a memorial cross erected outside Cardiff's Temple
of Peace was smashed the night before a gathering to commemorate
the first anniversary of Dink's murder.
Today, the photographic exhibition about the dark moment in European
history will be opened on the first floor in the Senedd.
Usually, such exhibitions are unmanned, but because of the perceived
threat from Turkish opponents, those wanting to see it will have
to be accompanied by security volunteers.
The events involved massacres and deportations in forced marches
under conditions designed to lead to the death of the deportees.
The total number of resulting Armenian deaths is generally held
to have been 1-1.5 million.
It is acknowledged by many historians to have been one of the first
modern genocides, with scholars pointing to the systematic, organised
manner in which the killings were carried out.
It is the second most studied case of genocide after the Holocaust.
The majority of Armenian diaspora communities were founded as a
result of what happened.
John Torosyan, a leading member of the Welsh Armenian community,
said: "There is no doubt that Wales is leading the rest of
the UK in the long overdue recognition for the Armenian genocide.
"That is clearly demonstrated by the unveiling of the Khatckar
[memorial cross] at the Temple of Peace in Cardiff - the only monument
in the UK on public grounds - in November 2007, the Holocaust Memorial
Day event in January 2010 in which the Armenians were mentioned
for the first time in 10 years, the message of sympathy we received
from First Minister Carwyn Jones in April this year, and now this
exhibition."
The exhibition, which is sponsored by Plaid Cymru AM Dai Lloyd,
has been put together by Armenian historian Vardan Tadevosyan.
He said: "This is an exhibition about the genocide which took
place, but also tells of the links between Armenia and the UK."
The exhibition is on show until next Friday
Read More http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2010/09/25/security-tightened-at-senedd-for-armenian-exhibition-91466-27338824/#ixzz10cnp5YCS
|
|
