At a press conference held today, Armenian architecture specialist Samvel Karapetyan, and civic government expert Hasmik Melikyan, raised a number of concerns regarding the lack of attention paid by the Armenian government in response to Azeri demands that lands "captured" by the Armenians must be returned and that cultural monuments on those lands are not Armenian but Turkish, Aghvan or Azeri. Mr. Karapetyan pointed out that in 2007 Aziz Alakbarli, a Azeri author, published a book in which Armenia is depicted as "Western Azerbaijan" and Armenian cultural monuments as Azeri or of Aghvan origin. He said the book was financed by the Azerbaijan Ministry of Culture and thus presented the official Azeri point of view. He stated that the book contained hundreds of references and despite being inaccurate it still makes a lasting impression on readers who are unaware of the facts. "We must come to grips with this issue. When the author portrays the Gandzasar Monestery as Aghvan and seemingly backs up that claim with a huge number of references, Armenians can't ignore such books. In the past few years the Azeris have invented a new phrase, "Western Azerbaijan". It is used in place of Armenia. Azeri websites and the press use this new term, not Armenia. We might find it laughable that the book's cover features the temple of Garni, but in 10-20 years down the road, we won't be laughing so much," Mr. Karapetyan stated. Hasmik Melikyan noted that the book, translated into several languages, was featured at last year's international book exhibition in Frankfurt and that it caused an uproar with the local Armenian community. "Photo captions in the book present Garni as "Gerni", a Turkish religious site. Etchmiadzin is portrayed as a joint Turkish-Armenian constructed Christian church. The name Armenia is placed in parentheses. Armenians are depicted as some wandering tribe of migrants that settled here and took over their monuments. The first page of the book has a picture of the Aliyevs, father and son. They are well aware of all this," stated Mrs. Melikyan. Mr. Karapetyan stated that the book had been copied and was selling in Yerevan six months ago. He personally took a copy to Hasmik Poghosyan, the Minister of Culture, and to the foreign minister. He said that Deputy of Minister of Urban Construction Narek Sargsyan even has a copy. "Only Narek Sargsyyan showed any concern and wanted to take concrete action in response. Hasmik Poghosyan reacted with stone silence, no reaction at all." In response to the Azeri book, Ruben Ghaletchyan's "Azerbaijan, Armenia and the showcasing of imagination" was published this year. It depicts the destruction of Armenian culture by Azerbaijan. The English translation of this work was sponsored by former National Assembly President Tigran Torosyan. Mr. Karapetyan believes that the Azeri book was to be expected and that Armenians have themselves to blame. "What did we do when the Turks erased Jugha off the face of the earth? A crime was committed but did our government bring the case to trial in any international court of law? Only one organization, the "Western Armenia National Council", an NGO, brought a court case and that only after much delay. Naturally, when our government does nothing in response, such consequences are to be expected," stated Mr. Karapetyan. Mr. Karapetyan asserts that all this stems from a lack of national interest shown by Armenians. It is his opinion that since there is no national society there can be no talk of possessing a national polity. When the issue to be tackled is a national one, Armenians are absent. This, in his view, is why we are on the retreat. Mr. Karapetyan stated, "We have become estranged from our land and our water. Negotiations are underway about the territories; they are placing preconditions on the table. It's been twenty years since Northern Artsakh has been emptied of Armenians. Our political leaders haven't come to the negotiating table with a book entitled "Northern Artsakh". We have already conceded on Northern Artsakh, what other concessions can we make? If we were really concerned about those lands we would have already raised the matter. The Azeris are constantly beating the drums about Kelbajar and Latchin and their TV programs are filled with broadcasts about the country. Their conversation is focused on the issue of land." "We are a people without land. Armenians believe they can scatter to the four corners of the globe and survive. We resemble gypsies more than anything. There are more Armenians in other countries then there are gypsies. This is a path leading to destruction and is the basis for our defeats. Even Vardan Mamikonyan, at the Battle of Avarayr, fought in the name of the cross, and not for the sake of the land,"  noted Mr. Karapetyan.