Post by pieter on Apr 26, 2010 16:08:46 GMT -7
Armenians commemorate genocide victims
Armenians are commemorating the 95th anniversary of the mass killings of Armenians by Ottoman Turks, which claimed the lives of about 1.5 million people.
Special services are being held around the world, along with cultural events, although the main ceremony is happening at the memorial in the Armenian capital.
Despite repeated calls to accept its role in the events, Turkey continues to reject describing the slaughter as “genocide” – although this is what more than 20 other countries officially call it, including France, Germany, Russia and the UK.
US Congress also voted for it last month, sparking harsh criticism from Turkey. The Obama Administration urged the committee not to pass the resolution so as not to disrupt the fragile reconciliation process between Turkey and Armenia.
Armenians are commemorating the 95th anniversary of the mass killings of Armenians by Ottoman Turks, which claimed the lives of about 1.5 million people.
Special services are being held around the world, along with cultural events, although the main ceremony is happening at the memorial in the Armenian capital.
Despite repeated calls to accept its role in the events, Turkey continues to reject describing the slaughter as “genocide” – although this is what more than 20 other countries officially call it, including France, Germany, Russia and the UK.
US Congress also voted for it last month, sparking harsh criticism from Turkey. The Obama Administration urged the committee not to pass the resolution so as not to disrupt the fragile reconciliation process between Turkey and Armenia.