UK government member uses term Armenian Genocide for the first time

PanARMENIAN.Net - The UK government has strongly condemned the desecration of the Armenian Genocide Monument in Cardiff, Wales, which occurred on Holocaust Memorial Day on January 27, 2008, independent French journalist Jean Eckian told PanARMENIAN.Net



In a reply to MP David Burrowes, (who had taken up a complaint by B. Nazarian of Armenia Solidarity about the act of vandalism), the Secretary of State for Wales, the Rt Hon Paul Murphy, replying for the UK government specifically referred to "the desecration of The Armenian Genocide Memorial in Cardiff in January 2008."



"I wholeheartedly condemn this violent act of desecration. It is distressing that this is yet another example of how we must all continue to be vigilant against such acts of racism, violence and hatred; and that we all need to stand united against them," he said.



"This attack, like many similar crimes, is often unprovoked and undertaken under the cover of darkness. I hope that when the vandals are caught and prosecuted for this crime, this will go some way to easing the pain and distress that has been caused by this terrible act", he said.



"This is a most significant development" said a spokesman for Armenia Solidarity. "In the past government ministers have made strenuous efforts to avoid using the phrase the Armenian Genocide.