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CANADA: Primate Pays Tribute to Senator Romeo Dallaire

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  • CANADA: Primate Pays Tribute to Senator Romeo Dallaire

    PRESS OFFICE
    Armenian Holy Apostolic Church Canadian Diocese
    Contact; Deacon Hagop Arslanian, Assistant to the Primate
    615 Stuart Avenue, Outremont Quebec H2V 3H2
    Tel; 514-276-9479, Fax; 514-276-9960
    Email; [email protected]
    Website; _www.armenianchurch.ca_ (http://www.armenianchurch.ca/)
    May 11, 2006
    * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

    Primate Pays Tribute to Senator Romeo Dallaire

    Retired Lt.-Gen. Romeo Dallaire, who gained an international
    reputation for condemning the lack of global action in preventing the
    Rwandan genocide, has been named to a new United Nations committee
    charged with advising the world body on genocidal conflicts.

    Dallaire, also a Senator in Canada, was one of eight people named to
    the Genocide Prevention Advisory Committee this week. Dallaire
    commanded the UN Forces in Rwanda during the 1994 genocide. Archbishop
    Desmond Tutu of South Africa is also serving on the committee, whose
    mandate involves advising the UN on preventing genocide as well as
    what action to take if a conflict erupts.

    On Wednesday, May 10, 2006 His Eminence Bishop Bagrat Galstanian sent
    a letter of acknowledgement and appreciation to Senator
    Dallaire. Following is the letter of Serpazan.


    No 2006.115
    May 10, 2006
    Honourable Romeo Dallaire
    Senate of Canada
    Ottawa, Ontario
    K1A 0A4
    Honourable Senator,

    We are gratified to learn that you have been named to the Genocide
    Prevention Advisory Committee of the United Nations, a consultative
    committee to the world body on genocide conflicts. It is imperative
    that the issue of genocide be recognized and prevented. Undeniably,
    those efforts depend on individuals who possess high levels of moral
    principles, dedication and conviction. Your devoted and conscious
    service with the UN forces in Rwanda demonstrates a clear vision and
    understanding of the definition of Genocide. This issue should draw
    the attention and abhorrence of the world.

    Regretfully, in 2006, the world is witnessing yet again, occurrences
    of genocide. Although many individuals are working to raise awareness
    and to promote some political action, not all acknowledge the depth of
    the dilemma or are willing to take the necessary action. There can be
    no confusion on the question; many hundreds of thousands have
    perished, and millions have been displaced. It is our moral
    responsibility to call attention to the anguish in Darfur. We,
    Armenians have suffered the pain of the first genocide of the
    twentieth century and are very apprehensive that the world is once
    again hesitant to act.

    As quoted from Baroness Caroline Cox, of the British House of Lords in
    April 1999, "If nations are allowed to commit genocide with impunity,
    to hide their guilt in a camouflage of lies and denials, there is a
    real danger that other brutal regimes will be encouraged to attempt
    genocides. Unless we speak today of the Armenian genocide and unless
    the Government recognizes this historical fact, we shall leave this
    century of unprecedented genocides with this blot on our consciences."

    Once again, we are called to act and act now. History will judge us
    all, for our awareness and willingness to take a stand. With prayers,

    Bishop Bagrat Galstanian, Primate
    Diocese of the Armenian Church in Canada
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