Expert Speaks Of Destruction Of Armenian Khachkars In Geneva

EXPERT SPEAKS OF DESTRUCTION OF ARMENIAN KHACHKARS IN GENEVA

news.am
Jan 14 2011
Armenia

A regular “Economy of Intellectual Property” workshop was held in
Geneva on January 13. Representatives from about 40 governmental
organizations and NGOs were invited. Armenia was represented by
political expert Sasun Hovhannisyan.

In his speech, Hovhannisyan presented the reforms implemented in
Armenia in the sphere of intellectual property, stressing the need
for introduction of international experience. Much of his speech
was devoted to destruction of the Armenian khachkars (cross-stones)
in Old Julfa by Azerbaijan.

“In December 2005, as a result of government-backed crime organized
by Azerbaijanis, over 5000 khachkars were completely destroyed at the
cemetery of Old Julfa in Nakhchivan. Khachkars are original monuments
of the Armenian culture, intellectual property of the Armenian nation,”
the expert said. He stressed that world community has not responded
to this fact so far. “It is regrettable that cultural heritage fell
victim to petrodollars,” he emphasized.

Hovhannisyan called on World Intellectual Property Organization and
all the delegates to give a legal assessment of cultural terrorism
in Azerbaijan.

From: A. Papazian