France: Protesting Armenia’s President

Riot police officers fought back belligerent demonstrators on Friday in Paris as President Serge Sarkisian of Armenia started a tour of Armenian communities worldwide. Protesters shouted “Traitor!” and denounced his plans to establish ties with Turkey. He embarked on the tour — which will also take him to the United States, Russia and Lebanon — to seek support for his bid for diplomatic ties with Turkey after a century of enmity. At least 200 protesters from the Armenian diaspora in France showed up at a public appearance. The genocide of up to 1.5 million Armenians under the Ottoman Empire has been the main barrier to reconciliation with Turkey. Turkey rejects the label of genocide and says the death toll is inflated.