The White House
President George W. Bush

For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
April 24, 2005
Statement by the President

STATEMENT BY THE PRESIDENT
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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From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress