Berkeley California, February 23, AzerTAc
One of the top ten universities in the world, Californian Berkeley University has held a commemorative event marking 23rd anniversary of Khojaly.
University staff, students and members of Azerbaijani Diaspora were present at the event held with the initiation of Azerbaijan’s Consulate General in Los-Angeles and support of the Northern California Azerbaijan Culture Society.
Addressing the event, special correspondent of AzerTAc in US Yusif Babanly spoke of the historical roots of Armenian aggression against Azerbaijan. Informing about Karabakh region, Babanly said Armenian nationalists’ claims are groundless. He also noted the granting the status of Autonomous Region to Nagorno-Karabakh in 1923 gave to the Armenians great political and cultural rights. Noting Soviet government’s pro-Armenian policy during 20th century Babanly said Azerbaijanis were displaced from their ancestral lands in Armenia.
According to Russian statistics in 1897, the Armenians were not prevailing not only in Karabakh, but also in current Armenian regions - Zangazur and Iravan. Exactly with these artificial demographic changes the Armenians owned Azerbaijani lands. Babanly noted that massacres in Malibeyli, Gushchular, Garadaghli and Khojaly are the result of Armenians ethnic cleansing policy.
One of the witnesses of Khojaly massacre Anar Usubov made a speech at the event. He talked about the plight of people who lived in the blockade, and the occupation of the city and people’s escaping from snowy forests to Aghdam. Saying that he stayed alive by chance Usubov noted that more than twenty of his close relatives were killed or are missing. Sharing his sad memories with photo facts Khojaly resident talked about the life he lives after the massacre. He noted that hundreds of Khojaly residents who managed to escape from that horrible night suffered from psychological traumas.
It has been noted that Khojaly massacre was recognized by more than 10 states of US and accepted by several countries.
A documentary featuring severe crimes during Khojaly genocide and suffering of the victims of the tragedy was demonstrated at the event. Participants familiarized with the photo exhibition dedicated to the genocide.
