90 Years of Denial
Thursday, April 21st, 2005
The 90th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide is approaching. On April 24th, 1915, the Ottoman Turks began their plan of systematic extermination of the Armenian people. 1.5 million Armenians were murdered, or sent on death marches. The atrocites that took place cannot even be described here. To this day, the Turkish government denies the Young Turk Party of the Ottoman Empire ever perpetrated the first genocide of the 20th century.
The US government at the time acknowledged the atrocities that were taking place. However, they have since backtracked and refuse to use the term Genocide to describe what took place. Reams and reams of international historical texts show eyewitness accounts and government documents which prove the horrors that took place were in fact Genocide. Yet foreign relations and strategic military bases take precedence over serious human rights issues.
At this time, France is the only country which has formally recognized the Armenian Genocide. Other European countries are calling for Turkey to admit the Armenian Genocide took place, before it can be considered for admission into the European Union. Turkey, in response, is stepping up its denial to even more astronomical levels.
Please take a moment to view iWitness, a short flash presentation of those who survived the Armenian Genocide. Links to stand alone versions for Mac and PC are also available on the site.
