US says it acknowledges Armenian tradgedy

Turkish Daily News
Dec 17, 2004

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.