High-ranking officials of Armenia pay tribute to victims of Armenian genocide

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. –0--