BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 15. On June 13, French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal presented the Legion of Honor to Pastor René Léonian, President of the Union of Armenian Evangelical Churches of Eurasia. Naturally, the Armenian community is thrilled and widely publicizing this event. But what exactly did René Léonian do to earn such recognition?
The French La Gazette du Caucase reveals that the pastor’s most significant "achievement" is his long-standing support for Armenian separatism. The authors rightly question the connection between Léonian's activities and the principles for which this award is given - "outstanding achievements" and "personal services to the nation".
The article quotes René Léonian, who last October accused Azerbaijan of the so-called "attack" on Karabakh and the "expulsion" of Armenians from Azerbaijani territory. "His words contradict historical realities, specifically Azerbaijan's right to territorial integrity, as stated in four UN resolutions signed by France, and the right of return for Azerbaijanis expelled from their native lands," the article reads.
"Does this Legion of Honor 'illustrate the civic spirit of the French and the sense of common interests'? What connection does this 'demonstration of French civic spirit' have to this poorly disguised support for Armenian terrorist movements, which, among other things, are responsible for the Khojaly massacre? Perhaps it was a way to attract the Armenian community in France to President Macron's side ahead of crucial elections," the article notes.
The authors of La Gazette du Caucase also highlight that this award followed a series of scandals that led to the dismissal, without any legal procedures, of the Grand Chancellor of the order, General Puga, who was accused of awarding the order to relatives and wealthy individuals to whom he owed favors. "Emmanuel Macron, who is also the Grand Master of the order, promised to be more stringent in awarding the Legion of Honor - yet another broken promise," the article states.