Armenian, Assyrian and Hellenic Genocide News

Survivor of 20th century's first holocaust, Armenia 1915
by The Independent, January 27, 2001
Posted: Wednesday, January 31, 2001 00:42 am CST

On the wall of Arman Keshishian's drawing room hangs a large family tree. Many names are circled in black.

"All those names with circles around them were murdered in the genocide," he said. "I was 10 in 1915 when Armenian males, young and old, were taken to the police station and tortured to make them confess to possessing arms. Some died as a result.

"One day in the main square, I saw the wealthiest man of the town, Kurkjian Aga, with five others on the gallows. My father was arrested but his Turkish friend, the commandant, freed him."

Mr Keshishian, who lives in north-west London, is now 96. Unlike some who survived the horrors of what has been termed the 20th century's first holocaust, he is less melancholy than he is adamant that Armenians need recompense.

"I was born in Gesarya [in Cappadocia]. My father was a tobacco distributor, connected with Turkish officials. Armenians were prosperous and educated.

"[As the killing began] our family was evacuated. With father's connections, a Turkish guide was paid to escort us across to Syria, and we bribed Turkish guards to spare us. People vanished overnight.

"Girls were stolen away. From a bridge, I saw high up on a cliff two girls holding hands. They threw themselves into a cavern to avoid being raped. We escaped to Aleppo and bought our lives, but thousands without money were driven into caves and killed. In total, almost two million died. They represented half of the Armenian population in the world.''

His family settled in Izmir. "It belonged to the Greeks, but Attaturk attacked and we fled."

The family moved on to Paris, Cyprus and London, always believing in justice for Armenians.

He shrugs at official denials by Turkey and now the British Government about the extent of the killing. "All these facts are documented in official papers."

Mr Keshishian adds: "I am 200 per cent sure that the blood of those who died will be paid for by blood or with money."

• Readings from Armenian poets take place tomorrow at the Armenian church of St Sarkis, Iverna Gardens, Kensington, London W8.

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