Sumgait pogroms first attempt of militarization of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Armenian fm
26.02.2008,
03:07
The Sumgait pogroms were the first attempt to militarize the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Ra Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanyan stated at the international conference “Problems of tolerance and xenophobia in the South Caucasus"
YEREVAN, February 25. /ARKA/. The Sumgait pogroms were the first attempt to militarize the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Ra Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanyan stated at the international conference “Problems of tolerance and xenophobia in the South Caucasus (Sumgait 20)” on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the Sumgait pogroms.
“The Sumgait pogroms were the first attempt of militarizing the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and the first manifestation of ethnic purge in Azerbaijan,” Oskanyan said.
According to him, but for the Sumgait events, the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict would have developed in a different way.
“That step marked the beginning of intolerance in the region, and the ethnic purge, which had its consequences, is evident for everyone now,” Oskanyan said.
The Minister pointed out that during their history Armenian people has felt various manifestations of intolerance, including genocide.
Tolerance is not ideology for the Armenian people, but a way of existence, Oskanyan said. “We hope that the discussions will allow us to eradicate intolerance in the region,” he said.
The Minister pointed out that intolerance and xenophobia have various manifestations – from individual murders in Russia and other countries to large-scale genocides.
“The Armenian people experienced that, we saw genocide, all the manifestations of intolerance, which leaves a serious mark on small people like Armenians. That is why we must be standard bearers in the struggle against these manifestations, which is being done by our diplomats now,” Oskanyan said.
On February 26-29, 1988, with actual support of the Azerbaijani authorities and with the connivance of the USSR leaders, Armenian pogroms took place in Sumgait, Azerbaijan. According to the official information, 32 people were killed and hundreds injured. Within a few days, 14,000 Armenians left the city.–0--
“The Sumgait pogroms were the first attempt of militarizing the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and the first manifestation of ethnic purge in Azerbaijan,” Oskanyan said.
According to him, but for the Sumgait events, the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict would have developed in a different way.
“That step marked the beginning of intolerance in the region, and the ethnic purge, which had its consequences, is evident for everyone now,” Oskanyan said.
The Minister pointed out that during their history Armenian people has felt various manifestations of intolerance, including genocide.
Tolerance is not ideology for the Armenian people, but a way of existence, Oskanyan said. “We hope that the discussions will allow us to eradicate intolerance in the region,” he said.
The Minister pointed out that intolerance and xenophobia have various manifestations – from individual murders in Russia and other countries to large-scale genocides.
“The Armenian people experienced that, we saw genocide, all the manifestations of intolerance, which leaves a serious mark on small people like Armenians. That is why we must be standard bearers in the struggle against these manifestations, which is being done by our diplomats now,” Oskanyan said.
On February 26-29, 1988, with actual support of the Azerbaijani authorities and with the connivance of the USSR leaders, Armenian pogroms took place in Sumgait, Azerbaijan. According to the official information, 32 people were killed and hundreds injured. Within a few days, 14,000 Armenians left the city.–0--
