Protests held over Turkish leader’s visit
Thousands lined the streets of the capital Yerevan to protest the first visit by a Turkish leader and to demand that Turkey acknowledge World War I massacres of Armenian civilians as genocide.
President Abdullah Gul was invited by Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan to watch a World Cup qualifying soccer match. Turkey won, 2-0.
Many hoped the diplomacy would help the two neighbors overcome decades of antagonism. Gul praised Sargsyan’s bravery in issuing the invitation, and invited him to the return game in Istanbul next fall.
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