NEW YORK–On Sun., July 28, the New York ARF “Armen Garo” Gomideh requested a Requiem Service and presented a program to mark the 30th anniversary of the Lisbon 5 event at the St. Illuminator Cathedral’s John Pashalian Hall.
Sossi Essajanian welcomed the attendees and sang the Armenian national anthem, “Mer Hairenik.” Mary Yaralian then spoke on behalf of the “Armen Garo” Executive on the importance of honoring the memory of the five young men who sacrificed their lives to bring international attention to the Armenian Cause.
Bedros Hovanessian sang the Lisbon 5 song, which was followed by the reading of Hovannes Shiraz’s poem “Lisboni Voghchagezneroun.” In his closing remarks, Rev. Fr. Mesrob Lakissian noted the importance of participating and being involved in the Armenian community, as well as working together for the Armenian Cause. The program concluded with the singing of “Verkerov Li.”
Also on July 28, the New York ARF “Armen Garo” Gomideh requested a Requiem Service and presented a program to mark the 30th anniversary of the Lisbon 5 event at St. Sarkis Armenian Apostolic Church in Douglaston, NY.
Mher Janian opened the program by inviting attendees to join him in the singing of the Armenian national anthem, “Mer Hairenik.” In his opening remarks, he stressed the importance of remaining vigilant for the Armenian Cause.
Janian then invited Nazareth Markarian who spoke on behalf of the “Armen Garo” Gomideh. Markarian’s comments outlined the impact of the sacrifice made by the five youths who brought international attention to the Armenian Genocide.
A short video was then shown including pictures of the five youths and their own words about being Armenian, sacrifice, and fighting indifference. The program also included a musical presentation by Christapor Megerian who played “Hyortik” on the piano.
In his closing remarks, Rev. Fr. Nareg Terterian, the pastor of St. Sarkis Church, spoke about always remembering the martyrs of the Armenian Genocide and continuing the fight for justice.
The event concluded with the singing of “Harach Nahadag.”
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Is it proper to commemorate the deaths of Lisbon 5 ?
What about the Portuguese police officer ?
What about the Turkish civilian woman ?
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To repeat from other threads: my position is that it _was_ proper (in 70s and 80s) to assassinate Turkish state actors – officers of the denialist State, who were engaged in proactive AG denialism – in precisely targeted operations (with no harm to bystanders: as was done by Mr. Gourgen Yanikian).
And I simply remember with sadness the lost lives of the 5 idealistic young men and the 2 innocent bystanders , but see neither honor nor glory in the operation:
-The operation was botched from the get go.
-An amateurish scouting visit to the Embassy alerted guards to a possible pending attack: more security was added
-On the day of the operation, one of the cars was recognized from the previous visit to the embassy and was challenged: one of the 5 was shot to death in a brief gun battle.
-The remaining 4 ran to the diplomat’s residence and took the wife and her underage son hostage (…son either escaped or was let go before the detonation)
-Armenians: let’s stop right there; is it or is it not true that 4 young Armenian men took cover _behind_ a Turkish civilian _woman_ to avoid getting shot ?
-Is there anything more to be said ?
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And isn’t it also true that the Armenian Apostolic Church is strictly against suicide ?
And that Church canons strictly prohibit funeral services in case of suicide, except by special permission from the Primate ?
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Are any of the facts above false ?
If they are not, then what exactly are we Armenians commemorating ?
Avery,
I agree with your post, except the following:
“my position is that it _was_ proper (in 70s and 80s) to assassinate Turkish state actors – officers of the denialist State, who were engaged in proactive AG denialism”
This is still murder, and wrong. I disagree that death is the proper answer to these individuals. And why 70s and 80s? Is it now wrong, but not back then?
And believe me, I understand the denialism, the pervasiveness of it, and how Turkey still continues to pursue this immoral and painful path. I don’t believe murder is the answer to it. Or even justice. Justice was served to Talat and his gang when the world community did nothing. But they were guilty of the bloody crimes.
What I want to see is when any of these guys are in a crowd of non-Turks, and they deny the genocide, that the entire room, rejects it, understands how disgusting it is, and that the denier feels that no-one is buying the Turkish crap. That is the just and long-lasting justice that I want.