For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
April 24, 2001
Presidential Message
Today marks the commemoration of one of the
great tragedies of history: the forced exile and annihilation of
approximately 1.5 million Armenians in the closing years of the Ottoman
Empire. These infamous killings darkened the 20th century
and continue to haunt us to this day. Today, I join Armenian Americans
and the Armenian community abroad to mourn the loss of so many innocent
lives. I ask all Americans to reflect on these terrible
events.
While we mourn the tragedy that scarred the
history of the Armenian people, let us also celebrate their indomitable
will which has allowed Armenian culture, religion, and identity to
flourish through the ages. Let us mark this year the 1700th
anniversary of the establishment of Christianity in
Armenia. Let us celebrate the spirit that illuminated the
pages of history in 451 when the Armenians refused to bow to Persian
demands that they renounce their faith. The Armenian reply
was both courageous and unequivocal: "From this faith none
can shake us, neither angels, nor men, neither sword, fire or water,
nor any bitter torturers." This is the spirit that survived again in
the face of the bitter fate that befell so many Armenians at the end of
the Ottoman Empire.
Today, that same spirit not only survives, but
thrives in Armenian communities the world over. Many
Armenian survivors and their descendents chose to live in the United
States, where they found safety and built new lives. We are
grateful for the countless ways in which Armenian Americans continue to
enrich America's science, culture, commerce and, indeed, all aspects of
our national life.
One of the most important ways in which we can
honor the memory of Armenian victims of the past is to help modern
Armenia build a secure and prosperous future. I am proud
that the United States actively supports Armenia and its neighbors in
finding a permanent and fair settlement to the Nagorno-Karabakh
dispute. I hope that this year we will see peace and
reconciliation flourish in the south Caucasus region between Armenia
and all its neighbors. The United States welcomes the
opportunity to support the courageous efforts by the Armenian people to
overcome years of hardship and Soviet repression to create a
prospering, democratic, and sovereign Republic of Armenia.
Let us remember the past and let its lessons
guide us as we seek to build a better future. In the name of
the American people, I extend my heartfelt best wishes to all Armenians
as we observe this solemn day of remembrance.
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