October 19, 2006 - 19:09 AMT
Azerbaijan May Be Excluded from UNESCO for Demolishing Armenian Khachkars
An international delegation comprised of representatives of different National Parliaments and a Scottish history-of-art specialist, were received by Mr. Kotchiro Matsuura, Director-General of UNESCO, from whom they requested an international investigation and open denunciation of the crime perpetrated on the Armenian cemetery of Old Julfa by the army of Azerbaijan, independent French journalist Jean Ackikian told PanARMENIAN.Net. The delegation was formed at the behest of the Parliamentary Group Switzerland-Armenia - mainly the Co-Chairmen - the National Councilors Dominique de Buman (Vice-Chairman of the Christian Democratic-Party) and Ueli Leuenberger (Vice-Chairman of the Green Party) - with the support of Mr. Charles Aznavour, Ambassador of Armenia to UNESCO. The Parliamentarians submitted to the UNESCO Director-General comprehensive documentation on the subject, as well as a signed Memorandum in which five recommendations are presented to the state of Azerbaijan, among which, the construction of a Christian memorial on the site of the old cemetery. If Azerbaijan does not answer these recommendations, the delegation of the members of Parliament will seek for exclusion of Azerbaijan from the UNESCO through the mediation of the European governments, Switzerland, Russia and Canada.