After discussing the genocide bill with representatives of the Coordination Council of Armenian Organizations of France, French President Nicolas Sarkozy paid tribute to Arsene Tchakarian, 95, the last survivor of the Manouchian group, who helped defending Paris, Nouvelles d`Armenie informs.

Referring to the history of the 95-year-old veteran, President Sarkozy handed out the Cross of Officer of the Legion of Honor Oder to the energetic Arsene Tchakarian on behalf of the French Republic in front of a large audience consisting of French Armenians, veterans and elected representatives of the republic including Valerie Boyer.