Radio Free Europe, Czech Republic
April 24 2005

Armenia: Armenians Mark 90th Anniversary Of Start Of Massacres
By Ron Synovitz

Armenians from around the world today commemorated the 90th
anniversary of what they call “Genocide Day” — the start of mass
deportations and killings of their ethnic kin during the final years
of the Ottoman Empire. For decades, survivors of those events and
their descendants have lobbied for international recognition that
“genocide” occurred. But successive Turkish governments have denied
the kllings were aimed at exterminating the Christian Armenian
population.

Prague, 24 April 2005 (RFE/RL) — It was a somber occasion as
Armenians from all over the world gathered in Yerevan to commemorate
the 90th anniversary of what they call “Genocide Day.”

On April 24, 1915, Ottoman authorities arrested some 250 Armenian
community leaders in Yerevan. It was the start two of years of mass
expulsions and killings of Christian Armenians by Ottoman
authorities.

Ceremonies in Yerevan today included the laying of a wreath at the
“genocide memorial” by Armenian President Robert Kocharian. Memorial
masses also were being celebrated at Yerevan’s Saint Gregory
cathedral, as well as in churches all over Armenia.

Armenians say up to 1.5 million of their kinsmen perished as a result
of orchestrated killings as the Ottoman Empire — the predecessor of
modern Turkey — was crumbling.Armenians say up to 1.5 million of
their kinsmen perished as a result of orchestrated killings as the
Ottoman Empire — the predecessor of modern Turkey — was crumbling.

Authorities in Ankara have consistently denied that version of
events. Turkey says about 300,000 Armenians and thousands of Turks
were killed as a result of “civil strife” when Armenians rose against
their Ottoman rulers and sided with invading Russian troops.

In Yerevan yesterday night, more than 10,000 people marched with
torches to demand that Turkey recognize the killings as genocide.

Armenians say they hope their mass demonstrations will increase the
pressure on Turkey. There are some signs that the effort may be
working.

Yesterday, the Conference of European Churches called on Turkey to
recognize the genocide claim.

On 22 April, French President Jacques Chirac accompanied President
Kocharian to a Paris monument for victims of the massacre.

And in Germany, members of parliament from across the political
spectrum appealed to Turkey to accept the massacre of Armenians as
part of its history, saying the move would help Ankara’s EU
aspirations.

Armenian Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanyan also says recognition of
genocide will help Turkey’s bid for European Union membership.

“Genocide today is still a threat for the international community.
That issue has been addressed by the UN and others. Secondly, there
is the issue of Turkey’s accession into the European Union. That’s
why this issue has also come to the forefront. Because if Turkey
would like to join the European Union, the EU must ask. That’s what
they are doing now — so that Turkey comes to terms with its past,”
Oskanyan said.

Polish Nobel laureate and former president Lech Walesa has gone
further. He says Armenians have the right to demand that the European
Union bar Turkey from joining the bloc unless it admits to genocide.

On 19 April, Poland joined a list of 15 countries that have
officially acknowledged the killings as genocide when its parliament
passed a resolution condemning the Armenian massacres. The Polish
decision has drawn protests from Ankara. Turkish officials call the
move “irresponsible,” and say it will hurt relations.

Armenian President Kocharian has been making some conciliatory
gestures toward the government in Ankara. He says Yerevan will not
ask for financial compensation if Turkey recognizes the killings as
genocidal. Kocharian says recognition is a “moral issue” rather than
a financial one.

Many members of the Armenian diaspora worldwide converged on Yerevan
to take part in today’s ceremonies. Among them is Rubina Pirumyan, a
Los Angeles resident of Armenian descent who took part in the
demonstration marches:

“Today for me is a very special day. I’ve been doing this for years
and years — commemorating the memory of the genocide, of the victims
of the Armenian genocide. And I am excited today because I am walking
with the youth of Armenia,” said Pirumyan.

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan recently proposed the
creation of a joint Armenian-Turkish commission to review the
historical dispute. Several Turkish officials have said they think
the study will confirm Turkey’s arguments.