Armenian Genocide Monument in Cardiff desecrated on Holocaust Memorial Day

The new Armenian Genocide Monument which was recently erected in Cardiff was desecrated in the early hours of the morning before important ceremonies were held today to commemmorate the Holocaust, and to remember Hrant Dink, Turkish-Armenian journalist murdered by a Turkish nationalist a year ago. The ornate Armenian Cross on the monument was smashed to bits by persons unknown using a hammer, which was left at the scene of the crime. One of the Welsh Armenians said of this act of vandalism: "This is our holiest shrine. Our grandparents who perished in the Genocide do not have marked graves. This is where we remember them." Eilian Williams of Wales-Armenia Solidarity said that he blamed the so-called "Committee for the Protection of Turkish Rights" under the leadership of Hal Savas for the crime. The police is investigating. He continued: "I call on Armenians and supporters of justice throughout the world to send messages of support to Wales-Armenia Solidarity (eilian@nant.wanadoo.co.uk) which we will forward to the First Minister of the National Assembly of Wales. We shall repair the cross again and again no matter how often it is desecrated. We also challenge the UK government and the Turkish Embassy to condemn this racist attack".