By Harut Sassounian Publisher, The California Courier The Armenian Community and Church Council of Great Britain through its Sub-Committee for the Campaign for the Recognition of the Armenian Genocide is planning a protest march on April 24 against the denial of the Armenian Genocide by the British government and the British Ambassador in Armenia, Thorda Abbott-Watt. The demonstrators will deliver a petition to Prime Minister Tony Blair at 10 Downing Street in London. Earlier this month, French Armenians held a similar demonstration in front of the British Consulate in Paris. Meanwhile, Armenians and non-Armenians alike from around the world are continuing to send protest e-mails to Amb. Abbott-Watt, the British Foreign Secretary and Prime Minister Blair. Last week, the Armenian Community and Parish Council of Houston, Texas, issued a statement condemning the British denial of the Armenian Genocide. Interestingly, Amb. Abbott-Watt sent on April 17 the following pre-programmed response: "Sorry - I am away! If your e-mail is urgent please send it to Roy Wilson, our Deputy Head of Mission. Otherwise, I look forward to reading it on my return to the office on Monday 26 March." Amb. Abbott-Watt must be so confused and rattled by this whole controversy that she probably meant to say she is returning on Monday, April 26 rather than March 26, which falls on a Friday and has already passed. Obviously, she must be too embarrassed to be in Yerevan while the whole Armenian nation is commemorating the 89th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. She wanted to avoid joining the group of ambassadors who place a wreath at the Genocide Memorial Monument in Yerevan every year on April 24. Amb. Abbott-Watt should seriously consider staying in London for good rather than returning to Armenia!

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