Zaman Online, Turkey
April 22 2005
Chirac to Visit Genocide Monument with Kocharian
By Anadolu News Agency (aa)
Upon Armenian Prime Minister Robert Kocharian’s arrival in Paris,
French President Jacques Chirac will accompany him to a monument for
the alleged Armenian genocide.
The two leaders will have a meeting at the Presidential Palace before
participating in a wreath-laying ceremony at the monument, which was
opened by the Paris Municipality in 2003. On the base of the monument
dedicated to Armenian compositor Komitas is written: “In memory of
the 1,500,000 Armenian victims of the first genocide of the 20th
century committed by the Ottoman Empire in 1915.” The French
Parliament accepted a draft decision to recognize the alleged
Armenian Genocide in 2001.
Meanwhile, Armenian community members have flocked to Washington for
a rally for the 90th anniversary ceremony in Congress for the alleged
Armenian genocide. The Armenian lobby received the support of 32
senators in the Senate and 175 deputies in the House of
Representatives this year. Senator John F. Kerry, who lost the
election against President George W. Bush last November, said:
“Unfortunately we could not succeed then and our struggle still
continues. President Bush should demand Turkey changes its manner
towards the Armenian Genocide.”