[24 February 1988]
Communique by the representative Committee of the Armenian Community in France
The scope of demonstrations which are taking place in Soviet Armenia has revealed to the world public opinion the existence of an Armenian claim regarding the Autonomous Region of Karabagh ceded by the Soviet authorities to the Azerbaijani S.S.R. in 1923.
Historically Armenian, this territory, whose population is 80% Armenian, has not ceased to be the object of claims for the restitution on the part of its population. It is an conformity with the principle of self-determination itself inscribed in the Soviet Constitution that the Armenian majority of Karabagh and the quasi totality of its elected officials have expressed their hope to see the region reattached to the Armenian Republic.
The Central Government to this day has not responded to this request. While following the evolution of the situation in Armenia, the Armenian community of France under the circumstances intends to support the demand that the Autonomous Region of Mountainous Karabagh be attached to Armenia in a way that has been formulated already by the Armenians of Karabagh.
We share their legitimate aspirations, based on the right and the desire to build their future with their brothers in Soviet Armenia. United in the same determination we would like to believe that the expression of this unanimous will overcome the hesitations which Soviet authorities have, so that finally satisfaction is given to this need for justice.
To attest to this solidarity, the whole community will be at a silent gathering of support, Thursday, February 25, at 6:30 in Paris, in front of the Embassy of the U.S.S.R.
Paris, 24th February 1988
[Haratch, 26 February 1988]
The Karabagh File, Documents and Facts, 1918-1988, First Edition, Cambridge Toronto 1988, by the ZORYAN INSTITUTE, edited by: Gerard J. LIBARIDIAN
