Armenians are scattered all over the world by whim of history, Armenian President said.
“In early 20th century, the Ottoman authorities failed to understand how “aliens” managed to learn languages, build culture and develop book printing, become a bridge between the East and West. Unable to understand this, they found a simple solution: “no Armenians, no problems.” Armenians, who survived the Genocide perpetrated by the Young Turk government, settled in various Christian and Muslim countries and we are grateful to all those who gave them a shelter,” Serzh Sargsyan said in his speech in Brussels-based Villa Empain center based by Boghossian Foundation.
“We, Armenians, realize the importance of tolerance, religion, language and culture. That is why we stand for direct and sincere dialogue. Statements and declarations can’t solve problems like intolerance and discrimination. The 20th century witnessed gruesome atrocities against various ethnic groups. There was no possibility to alert the world about the Armenian Genocide. But the massacres in Rwanda were the result of threats constantly heard on radio and television,” the President said. “I remember the severe lessons of history. In Azerbaijan, like in the Ottoman Empire, Armenians were eyed as a population which had to be murdered. It’s outrageous that Azerbaijan wants to regain control over Nagorno Karabakh, over the people it once attempted to annihilate.”
The President concluded saying, “Abuse of freedom leads to hatred and violence while our goal is a dialogue between cultures and civilizations.”
