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WGME - CBS
April 19 2015
Observing 100 years since mass killings
PORTLAND (WGME) -- A century ago nearly 1.5 million Armenians were
massacred during what some call genocide. It happened in what's now
Turkey and the country's leaders refuse to describe it as genocide.
On April 24, Armenians worldwide will observe what happened. On
Saturday, Armenian-Americans in Portland remembered the victims at a
ceremony.
Gerard Kiladjian is the Armenian Cultural Association of Maine
President. He said, "They killed the men, women and the children by
just marching them into the desert to their death."
"The Turks killed my grandmother and grandfather over there," said
Portland resident, John Malconian.
Historians say there were mass killings starting in 1915 of Armenians
living in what's now turkey by leaders of the Ottoman Empire. Turkish
officials claim the deaths were the result of civil war and famine.
"The Armenian genocide was never recognized by the government of
Turkey. They've continued to deny for many, many years," said
Kiladjian.
The debate is now political. In his first presidential campaign,
President Obama said the genocide was a matter of fact, he'd formally
recognize it if elected and use the word genocide to describe it. Six
years later that hasn't happened. Turkey previously warned the United
States recognition would affect the relationship between the two
countries.
"It upsets me that he doesn't recognize what's true history," said Malconian.
Meanwhile, last Sunday Pope Francis did refer to the killings as
genocide. Kiladjian attended the mass where the Pope spoke about what
happened. He said, "We're very proud of his stepping forward."
Now Armenians want more people to follow in his footsteps.
http://www.wgme.com/news/features/top-stories/stories/observing-100-years-since-mass-killings-26895.shtml#.VTQBTMYcSP8
April 19 2015
Observing 100 years since mass killings
PORTLAND (WGME) -- A century ago nearly 1.5 million Armenians were
massacred during what some call genocide. It happened in what's now
Turkey and the country's leaders refuse to describe it as genocide.
On April 24, Armenians worldwide will observe what happened. On
Saturday, Armenian-Americans in Portland remembered the victims at a
ceremony.
Gerard Kiladjian is the Armenian Cultural Association of Maine
President. He said, "They killed the men, women and the children by
just marching them into the desert to their death."
"The Turks killed my grandmother and grandfather over there," said
Portland resident, John Malconian.
Historians say there were mass killings starting in 1915 of Armenians
living in what's now turkey by leaders of the Ottoman Empire. Turkish
officials claim the deaths were the result of civil war and famine.
"The Armenian genocide was never recognized by the government of
Turkey. They've continued to deny for many, many years," said
Kiladjian.
The debate is now political. In his first presidential campaign,
President Obama said the genocide was a matter of fact, he'd formally
recognize it if elected and use the word genocide to describe it. Six
years later that hasn't happened. Turkey previously warned the United
States recognition would affect the relationship between the two
countries.
"It upsets me that he doesn't recognize what's true history," said Malconian.
Meanwhile, last Sunday Pope Francis did refer to the killings as
genocide. Kiladjian attended the mass where the Pope spoke about what
happened. He said, "We're very proud of his stepping forward."
Now Armenians want more people to follow in his footsteps.
http://www.wgme.com/news/features/top-stories/stories/observing-100-years-since-mass-killings-26895.shtml#.VTQBTMYcSP8