For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
April 24, 2005
President's Statement on Armenian Remembrance Day
On Armenian Remembrance Day, we remember the forced exile and mass
killings of as many as 1.5 million Armenians during the last days of
the Ottoman Empire. This terrible event is what many Armenian people
have come to call the "Great Calamity." I join my fellow Americans and
Armenian people around the world in expressing my deepest condolences
for this horrible loss of life.
Today, as we commemorate the 90th
anniversary of this human tragedy and reflect on the suffering of the
Armenian people, we also look toward a promising future for an
independent Armenian state. The United States is grateful for Armenia's
contributions to the war on terror and to efforts to build a democratic
and peaceful Iraq. We remain committed to supporting the historic
reforms Armenia has pursued for over a decade. We call on the
Government of Armenia to advance democratic freedoms that will further
advance the aspirations of the Armenian people. We remain committed to
a lasting and peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. We
also seek a deeper partnership with Armenia that includes security
cooperation and is rooted in the shared values of democratic and market
economic freedoms.
I applaud individuals in Armenia and Turkey who
have sought to examine the historical events of the early 20th century
with honesty and sensitivity. The recent analysis by the International
Center for Transitional Justice did not provide the final word, yet
marked a significant step toward reconciliation and restoration of the
spirit of tolerance and cultural richness that has connected the people
of the Caucasus and Anatolia for centuries. We look to a future of
freedom, peace, and prosperity in Armenia and Turkey and hope that
Prime Minister Erdogan's recent proposal for a joint Turkish-Armenian
commission can help advance these processes.
Millions of Americans
proudly trace their ancestry to Armenia. Their faith, traditions, and
patriotism enrich the cultural, political, and economic life of the
United States. I appreciate all individuals who work to promote peace,
tolerance, and reconciliation.
On this solemn day of remembrance, I
send my best wishes and expressions of solidarity to Armenian people
around the world.
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