The ARF Lebanese Youth Association organized a youth gathering dedicated to the 94th Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide on Thursday, 23rd of April, 2009, at 9:00 p.m.

Sako Mardirossian, who spoke in the name of ARF LYA, said that 94 years have passed from Turkey’s inhumane genocide, whose goal was the elimination of Armenians, a goal that was not accomplished. Mardirossian added that these commemoration events and gatherings are no longer agony times, instead are opportunities to keep the spirit of struggle and revenge alive.

He added that the recognition of Armenian Genocide is not intended for certain people, and the territories belonging to the Armenians will never be part of political negotiations. At the end of his speech, he said that for the Armenian youth it is un-arguable and degrading to see that a few hours before April 24 the Armenian-Turkish agreement takes place.

Then, the audience watched a documentary prepared by the ARF LYA on the commemorating events and gatherings of the 93rd Anniversary of Armenian Genocide in various cities all over the world. After the documentary, Rosaline Nalbandian read Siamanto’s “Kheghtamah” poem.

The main speaker of the night was Vatche Dzadourian, stated that history is a fight against forgetting and overlooking the facts. And it is the duty of the Armenians to remind the world that the Armenian
Genocide is a reality! He also stated that all Armenians are victims of the Genocide, and we should all show the world that Turkey is the political, ethical, and real inherit of the Ottoman Empire.

Dzadourian stated that the genocide is a political issue, and it can not be turned into a conflicting issue because of a few different historians’ views. He added that the rising up of the negotiations of the Armenian-Turkish political relations, the issue of opening the border between the countries, and Turkey’s practices of behavioral changes are bizarre and imaginary acts, because Turkey still continues its racist performances and behavior.

The speaker said that the international recognition of the Armenian Genocide and various parliaments throughout the world are forcing Turkey in building better neighboring policy relationship with Armenia; Moreover, they insist that the interference of a third party will hinder the peace process. On this aspect, Vatche Dzadourian underlined that the example of agreement between Armenians and Turks made in Switzerland is a coincidence of both commemorating Armenian Genocide events, and a prohibiting step to the president of United States of America Barak Obama’s speech on the 24th of April to the use of the word “Genocide”. Dzadourian addressed to Obama to respect his promise, while the Armenian youth must continue the firm struggle.

After the speech, Shaghig Haboyan read Siamanto’s “The Revenge of Centuries” poem. At the end of the event, the audience watched a documented video showing Soghomon Tehlirian murdering Talaat Pasha. The youth gathering ended with “Sartabarad” anthem.