YEREVAN. - Turkish mayor saved my grandmother during the Armenian Genocide. The Turkish government must hail such people as heroes, instead of denying history, Serj Tankian, lead singer of the legendary group System of a Down, said during his concert in Yerevan.  

“My grandfather was five years old when he saw his own father die. He lost his sight from hunger. He ended up in an orphanage in Greece. The Near East Relief saved thousands of orphans. The US government's position is appalling not only to us but to all Americans,” Serj Tankian said.

According to him, Russia also saved many children orphans during the WWI and was a  good friend. “As survivors we need to meet all governments eye-to-eye equally,” he said.

Tankian noted that "there is still a lot of fucking work to do in Armenia” after 20 years of independence.  The responsibility of Armenian government is to bring in the principles of civic society, get rid of institutional injustice about and stop depopulation that is occurring,

“We are SOAD and our responsibility is to tell you these things,” Tankian said.