TURKEY: Armenians recall anniversary of 'Genocide'

AKI ^ | 2006 Apr 24

[Wiz]

Istanbul, 24 April (AKI) - Armenians worldwide Monday commemorated the anniversary of the alleged genocide of more than 1,3 million Armenians in 1915-1921 with the biggest demonstrations in New York, Brussels and Paris. Turkey, which is seeking to join the European Union, is under growing pressure to recognise its role in the slaughter. Ankara firmly maintains the deaths of Armenians during the collapse of the Ottoman empire were not part of a genocidal campaign, arguing that many ethnic Turks were also killed in that period.

The Istanbul chief of Human Rights Association, Eren Keskin on Monday said that 24 April symbolises the Armenian genocide and the state should face with this fact.

"Denying the word 'genocide' is also denying the huge pain that Armenians lived. Denying the genocide is a violation of human rights. Denying the genocide is also preventing the mourning of Armenians" she said in a press released on Monday.

The official view that the 1915-21 mass killings of Christian Armenians under Muslim Ottoman rule never took place

Nearly 5,000 people marched after the service in St. Sarkisian Church in Tehran. Under heavy security, the protestors chanted 'Accept the genocide.'

In December 2005, French foreign minister Michel Barnier announced that Turkey would be expected to recognize the event during EU accession negotiations.

[Restorer]

Ankara firmly maintains the deaths of Armenians during the collapse of the Ottoman empire were not part of a genocidal campaign, arguing that many ethnic Turks were also killed in that period.

Numbers on this point are remarkably difficult to come by, although they would seem to be highly relevant. If 25% of Armenians in eastern Turkey died during this period, but so did 20% of Muslims, to pick some numbers, it would put a serious dent in the genocide theory.

If 40% of Armenians but 10% of Muslims died, it would pretty well confirm it.

Just about everybody who writes on the topic seems to be a lot more anxious to prove their "side" than to document what actually happened.

[Fair Go]

The only way to settle the issue is to put it to the International Court of Justice where both sides would have the opportunity to present their case.