Van Krikorian: Obama told the world 1915 events were Genocide

April 24, 2010 - 20:29 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net - U.S. President Obama used “Meds Yeghern” Armenian term for the Genocide in his annual address to US Armenian community; although usage of the international term would be more desirable, Armenian Genocide museum trustee and chairman of the museum's building and operations committee, Van Krikorian stated.

Though disappointed with Obama's address, Mr. Krikorian said he understands the step. As he noted, US President's address will serve as a stimulus for U.S. Congress to pass the Armenian Genocide resolution.

''It's important that Turkey should recognize the Armenian Genocide, as the future of Armenian-Turkish relations depends on it,'' he emphasized.

The Armenian Genocide

The Armenian Genocide (1915-23) was the deliberate and systematic destruction of the Armenian population of the Ottoman Empire during and just after World War I. It was characterized by massacres and deportations, involving forced marches under conditions designed to lead to the death of the deportees, with the total number of deaths reaching 1.5 million.

The majority of Armenian Diaspora communities were formed by the Genocide survivors.

Present-day Turkey denies the fact of the Armenian Genocide, justifying the atrocities as “deportation to secure Armenians”. Only a few Turkish intellectuals, including Nobel Prize winner Orhan Pamuk and scholar Taner Akcam, speak openly about the necessity to recognize this crime against humanity.

The Armenian Genocide was recognized by Uruguay, Russia, France, Lithuania, Italy, 45 U.S. states, Greece, Cyprus, Lebanon, Argentina, Belgium, Austria, Wales, Switzerland, Canada, Poland, Venezuela, Chile, Bolivia, the Vatican, Luxembourg, Brazil, Germany, the Netherlands, Paraguay, Sweden, Venezuela, Slovakia, Syria, Vatican, as well as the European Parliament and the World Council of Churches.