April 25, 2008 - 16:19 AMT
Arpi Vartanian: opening of Armenian Genocide Museum in Washington extremely important
Opening of the Armenian Genocide Museum in Washington is an extremely important move, Armenian Assembly of America Country Director Arpi Vartanian told a PanARMENIAN.Net reporter.

The existence of the Museum proves that the Armenian Genocide in Ottoman Turkey is a historical reality.

"People can recognize or not recognize the Genocide but the existence of such a museum in the U.S. capital is the most direct proof. Coming there and examining the historical documents, people will better understand the pain and sufferings of Armenians," Ms. Vartanian said.

In a public hearing convened on March 27, 20080, the Historic Preservation Review Board (HPRB), which is charged with responsibility for the protection, enhancement and perpetuation of properties of historical, cultural and aesthetic merit in the District of Columbia, in a unanimous vote gave concept approval for the Armenian Genocide Museum of America (AGMA).

HPRB Chairman Tersh Boasberg closed the hearing by saying that the Armenian Genocide Museum project will "add to the kind of vitality that historic preservation can provide"