1.
CU AND SV: boy scouts and girl guides parading with Armenian and Greek flags in Athens, Greece. (2 shots)
0.15

2.
SV: Bishop leading march through street.
0.22

3.
SVs: march continuing and members carrying banner saying 'support the Armenian cause'. (2 shots)
0.45



Initials RH/WLW/MR/1640



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: INTRODUCTION: The Armenian community in Greece has been marking the 62nd anniversary of the year that Turkey killed 600,000 of their forefathers in World War One. The Armenians, whose homeland was subsequently divided between Turkey and the Soviet Union, were the victims of a centuries-old power-struggle between their two bigger neighbours.

SYNOPSIS: There are more than 10,000 Armenians living in Greece, and their march was one of several held by Armenian communities around the world to mark the end of their national identity. For several centuries before World War One, even while the focus of a constant battle between Turkey and the Russians, Armenia had usually managed to retain a measure of autonomy. But with the exception of a brief period of independence after the War, the Armenians eventually lost their geographical nationality when they were absorbed mostly into the Soviet Union, with a small part going to Turkey. They've never regained their freedom -- but they've never forgotten it either.