PRESS RELEASE
April 21, 2005
Embassy of the Republic of Armenia
2225 R Street, NW, Washington, DC, 20008
Tel: 202-319-1976, x. 348; Fax: 202-319-2982
Email: armecon@speakeasy.net; Web:

Armenian Genocide Anniversary Commemorated on Capitol Hill

The 90th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide was commemorated in a
moving and dignified ceremony in the United States Congress hosted
by the Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues. Members of the United
States Senate and House of Representatives and congressional staffers
were joined by representatives of Armenian-American organizations
and communities from all over the United States, as well as members
of the Armenian American community and friends of Armenia in Greater
Washington area.

Addressing the commemoration event, Armenia’s Ambassador to the United
States Tatoul Markarian noted that it was symbolic that his first
public speech coincided with the 90th anniversary of the Armenian
Genocide. Reflecting on the genocides in Rwanda and the African
region of Darfur, Ambassador Markarian noted that success of efforts
to achieve international recognition of the Armenian Genocide can be
judged by the world’s ability to “to uproot the triumph of evil that
genocides represent.”

Ambassador Markarian noted that although historical justice and
moral obligation are sufficient reasons for pursuing the recognition
of the Armenian Genocide, the issue also has direct bearing on
current developments and prospects for peace and stability in South
Caucasus region. Turkey’s inability to come to terms with history
affected the current Turkish foreign policy, noted the Armenian
Ambassador, citing Turkey’s refusal to normalize its relations with
and lift its blockade on Armenia, as well as its unconstructive
position on Nagorno Karabakh. Turkey should overcome the political
challenge of the past, and we would welcome it, said the Armenian
Ambassador. Since independence, Armenia has proposed and is ready to
establish diplomatic relations with Turkey without preconditions,
which, Ambassador Markarian said, could create normal environment
for discussing outstanding issues in Armenian-Turkish relations.

Ambassador Markarian noted that many EU members were making the
acknowledgement of the Armenian Genocide a litmus test of Turkey’s
willingness to address its human rights record and to embrace
fundamental values. In turn, he added, U.S. recognition of the
Armenian Genocide would send a powerful message to the entire world
that genocides had no place in twenty-first century and that there
was no statute of limitations for genocidal acts.