Ottoman massacre of Armenians remembered across Europe

AFP ^ | 2005 Apr 25

[Wiz]

PARIS (AFP) - The Armenian community in France and elsewhere in Europe held solemn masses, marches and memorials on Sunday to mark the 90th anniversary of mass killings by Ottoman Turks which a growing number of countries have recognised as a genocide.

The Parisian landmark of Notre Dame cathedral hosted a requiem mass Sunday and many other gatherings took place across the city.

Some 350,000 ethnic Armenians live in France.

The mass was followed by a meeting at an Armenian monument where on Friday French President Jacques Chirac and Armenian President Robert Kocharian placed a wreath.

French Socialist Party leader Francois Hollande told the gathering of 3,000, mostly Armenians, that he would propose a law in parliament to penalize those who deny the genocide.

[Wiz]

I am embarrased that Europe has lead in recognizing the genocide while our government still hesitates to recognize this officially by the President. I think it is time for our President to recognize it.

[RobbyS]

Too much Realpolitik, as if it actually worked. We see hoiw the Turks behaved the last time we needed them.

[onedoug]

Would that as many Armenians here in Los Angeles could display the decency that would most honor their fallen.