cyprus has been one of the pioneering countries in recognising the armenian genocide, when on 25 january 1965 foreign minister spyros kyprianou first raised the issue to the general assembly of the united nations. prior to his powerful speech, a delegation comprising arf dashnaktsoutiun bureau members dr. papken papazian and berj missirlia, as well as armenian national committee of cyprus members anania mahdessian and vartkes sinanian, handed him a memorandum urging cyprus' support in raising the issue at the united nations.