Azerbaijan's Consul General in Los Angeles appeals regarding Armenian-planned "Artsakh 20th Anniversary Commemoration"

In this connection, Azerbaijan's Consul General Elin Suleymanov has appealed to the general manager of the Wilshire Ebell Theater Philip Miller.

The letters states deep concern regarding the event.

According to it, "the "Artsakh 20th Anniversary Commemoration" is a reference to the beginning of the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict in 1988, the most violent confrontation in the former Soviet Union to date. The reality is that, on May 2, the Wilshire Ebell Theatre will be hosting the celebration of a conflict, which cost tens of thousands of lives in both Armenia and Azerbaijan and led to displacement of over one million civilians".

The letter says that numerous governments, international governmental agencies, as well as U.S. government policy officially recognize the illegal occupation of this Azerbaijani territory; acknowledge the ethnic cleansing conducted by Armenia and the presence of hundreds of thousands of refugees".

"As I sit to write this letter, the U.S. government is working vigorously toward resolving the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict.  Please understand that, not a single nation, including the United States and, in fact, Armenia, recognize the separatist regime of so-called "Artsakh."

I understand that Wilshire Ebell Theatre is a private institution and that the Armenian Cultural Foundation is entitled to have private events. However, as the subject involves Azerbaijan’s
internationally-recognized territory, as well as the ongoing suffering of people and wounds yet to be healed on both sides, I urge you to consider the ethical and moral ramifications and affects of this event.

I cannot imagine Azerbaijan ever welcoming a celebration of an event as painful to Americans as the beginning of this unresolved conflict is for the Azerbaijanis. Moreover, celebrating ethnic cleansing and violence against civilians is hardly compatible with the Wilshire Ebell’s history and reputation", the appeal reads.

/Today.Az/