HIGH-RANKING OFFICIALS OF ARMENIA PAY TRIBUTE TO VICTIMS OF ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

ARKA
April 24, 2008

YEREVAN, April 24. /ARKA/. High-ranking officials of Armenia paid
tribute to victims of Armenian Genocide in Ottoman Empire.

Armenian President Serge Sargsian visited the "Tsitsernakaberd"
memorial accompanied by the country’s Prime-Minister Tigran Sargsian,
Speaker of the National Assembly Tigran Torosian, members of the
cabinet and the parliament.

Catholicos of All Armenians Garegin the Second prayed for innocent
victims of the genocide and a mourning mass started in Holly Echmiadzin
Armenian Apostolic Church center.

Today, on 24 April 2008, Armenians all over the world are commemorating
the 93rd anniversary of the genocide of Armenians in Ottoman Turkey
in 1915-1923. April 20-27 has been declared as a commemoration week
in Armenia.

Every year on April 24 hundred thousands of people from capital and
the regions of Armenia and from abroad, including the diplomatic
corps, diaspora representatives and guests, pay floral tribute to the
"Tsitsernakaberd" memorial.

Armenian genocide of 1915-1923 was the first genocide of the XX
century committed by the Young Turks Government in Turkey. Turkey
rejects the accusation of massacres and the killing of one and a half
million Armenians during World War I.

Recognition of the genocide fact is of principle importance to the
Armenian people, as the genocide was committed to put an end to the
Armenian cause.

Not only people, but also cultural values fell a victim of the
genocide. In 1915-1916 and in the next years thousands of Armenian
manuscripts kept in Armenian monasteries, and hundreds of historical
and architectural monuments were destroyed, and Armenian sacred places
were desecrated.

Destruction of historical and architectural monuments and
misappropriation of Armenian cultural values is going on in the
territory of Turkey.