ANKARA – Turkish Daily News
17 December 2004

US says it acknowledges Armenian tradgedy

Boucher: Our position on the Armenia question is pretty well known

ANKARA – Turkish Daily News

The United States says it acknowledges the “terrible tragedy” the Armenian
community in Anatolia faced during the World War I years, but declined to
comment on whether the European Union should make it a precondition for the
start of accession talks with Turkey.
“Our position on the Armenia question is pretty well known. We’ve
acknowledged the terrible tragedy that befell the Armenian community in
Anatolia in the final years of the Ottoman Empire,” State Department
Spokesman Richard Boucher said at a press briefing.
He said Washington had been encouraging civil society and diplomatic
discussions about the tragedy as well as political dialogue between Armenia
and Turkey on the issue.

Boucher indicated the U.S. position on the issue had remained unchanged
since the president issued a traditional message on April 24, 2003, the date
that Armenians say is the anniversary of the alleged genocide.
Turkey categorically rejects Armenian charges that genocide was committed
against Armenians living in eastern Turkey in the final years of the Ottoman
Empire.

The European Parliament adopted a resolution on Wednesday calling on EU
leaders to open entry talks with Turkey. It also urged Ankara to acknowledge
the alleged genocide but made it clear it would not be a condition for the
start of accession talks.

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