Helsinki Commission Chairman blasts Turkey for Denial of 1915 Events

The chairman of the Helsinki Commission has slammed Turkey for rejecting to brand the World War I-era killing of Armenians as genocide, accusing the Turkish government of underwriting the massive campaign of what he called "genocide denial." 

At a hearing on Friday before the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, also known as the Helsinki Commission, Chairman Chris Smith said the "the Armenian genocide is the only genocide of the 20th century that is subject to the massive campaign of denial by the Turkish government." 

"This campaign of genocide denial is a slap in the face to the Armenian people, preventing reconciliation and healing," Smith said, who is also the representative from New Jersey.