"Americans honor all Armenians who perished in the genocide that began 106 years ago today," Joe Biden said in a statement on Saturday April 24, becoming the first US president to use the term "genocide" to qualify the massacre of 1.5 million Armenians perpetrated by the Ottoman Empire in 1915.
The reactions of the Armenians, gathered to commemorate the 106 years of the genocide, multiplied during the day.
"It is a form of relief for all Armenians to see that we are here today, and that the United States finally recognizes the genocide," says Emily Sulyn, resident of the United States.
I know my ancestors would be happy to hear this news, I feel happy is all I can say.
It is a step towards big changes and I am very happy.
"" I think Turkey will be afraid now because all countries will start to recognize it this year, or the year after.
Everyone is going to talk about it, ”hopes Taline Nourian, Armenian, for his part.
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In Turkey, where the government disputes the term genocide, opinion is divided.
“It's a very bad decision.
Our relations with the United States are already very bad, and this will only worsen them, ”says Dilek Merçin, resident of Istanbul.
“Moreover, there was no Armenian genocide,” she adds.
“I think it's a pretty good move.
The fact of submitting the history of his country to discussion is a very good thing, ”said Tolga Güleç, also living in Istanbul.
Turkey has "nothing to learn from anyone about its own past," the Turkish Foreign Minister reacted strongly on Twitter.
About twenty countries, including France, today officially recognize the Armenian genocide.
