President Barack Obama again avoids calling 1915 Armenian killings 'genocide'

GLENDALE, Calif. (KABC) -- Students united to mark 100 years since the start of the Armenian genocide Tuesday night and to pay tribute to 100-year-old survivor Madeleine Salibian whose family members were among the 1.5 million Armenians massacred by Turks.

Salibian says she's disappointed that Mr. Obama is refusing to publicly call the killings a genocide.

"He's a liar," she said.

As a senator, Mr. Obama said "there was a genocide that did take place against the Armenian people." But as president, he's refused to use the word.

"This visit reflects the importance that the United States places on our relationship with our ally Turkey," the president said.

Congressman Adam Schiff (D-Burbank) is leading the push for Congress to recognize the genocide, but says Turkey spends millions on lobbyists to fight the effort.

"This denial of genocide is deeply painful and traumatic," Schiff said.

Turkey is a key NATO ally and its location is crucial to the fight against ISIS.

"They've often threatened the United States that if we recognize the genocide they will retaliate by not cooperating with us on national security measures," Schiff said.

In Southern California, tens of thousands march every year to honor those killed by the Turks.

At an Armenian TV station in Glendale Tuesday night, many viewers expressed their anger.

"Well, I want to tell Mr. Obama there is no democracy without humanity," said ARTN reporter Varditer Grigoryan.