Turkish Prime Minister to face protestors
Armenian Youth Federation of Australia
PRESS RELEASE
7 December 2005
7 December 2005
SYDNEY ARMENIANS TO RISE AS ONE IN PROTEST AGAINST TURKISH PRIME MINISTER ERDOGAN
SYDNEY – Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan is in Australia with 3 of his Ministers, 10 Members of Parliament and a group of officials, in addition to 60 Turkish Businessmen from various industries until December 11, 2005.The entire Turkish delegation, including the Prime Minister, will be in Sydney for a business conference this Friday December 9, when the Armenian Youth Federation of Australia has organised a community protest.
The Australian-Armenian community is expected to attend the protest outside the Sydney InterContinental Hotel, which is the venue of the conference, in great numbers to voice their collective concern at the Turkish government’s treatment of the Armenian Cause and the Armenian Nation.
Prime Minister Erdogan is the parliamentary leader of the state which is still in denial of the 1915 Armenian Genocide by its predecessors who carried out the systematic slaughter of over 1.5 million Armenian civilians, and the forced capture of 90% of Western Armenia.
Prime Minister Erdogan, and his delegation of parliamentary associates visiting Australia, also form part of the government currently holding a crippling economic blockade against Armenia.
The protest will aim to get a strong message across to the Turkish Prime Minister and his travelling colleagues, that Armenians, even in faraway Australia, 90 years on, will stand up for the cause that took away the lives and homes of their forefathers.
Attendees are asked to dress in white shirts/t-shirts/tops to show continuity, while Armenian flags, banners and signs will be provided at the venue. The Armenian Youth Federation will also provide water for the consumption of all protestors. For any people wishing to create their own banners, please run its content by the contact listed below to ensure it forms part of a consistent message.
The Sydney InterContinental Hotel is found on the corner of Phillip and Bridge Streets in Sydney’s CBD.
Those wishing to travel directly to the venue, the Armenian Youth Federation asks that you are there by 10:30am.
Those wanting to join the community on arranged buses from Willoughby, please meet members of the Armenian Youth Federation at the Armenian Cultural Centre (259 Penshurst Street – corner of Crabbes Avenue) at 9:00am for a 9:15am departure.
The protest is expected to conclude at 3pm, at which time the buses will be there to return its occupants to Willoughby’s Armenian Cultural Centre.
The Armenian Youth Federation wishes to thank all individuals, media and organisations aiding in promoting and participating this combined community event.
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MEDIA AND COMMUNITY CONTACT:
Haig Kayserian
AYF Public Affairs Chairman
0403-317-903
publicaffairs@ayfaustralia.com
www.ayfaustralia.com
