Armenian Assembly of America
1140 19th Street, NW, Suite 600
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: 202-393-3434
Fax: 202-638-4904
Email: info@aaainc.org
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PRESS RELEASE
April 24, 2006
CONTACT: Christine Kojoian
E-mail: ckojoian@aaainc.org
BUSH SAYS WORLD MUST NOT FORGET
AVOIDS USING PROPER TERM OF GENOCIDE IN ANNUAL APRIL 24 STATEMENT
WASHINGTON, DC – In his annual April 24th commemoration statement,
President Bush described the “mass killings” and “exile” of 1.5
million Armenians noting that this was a “tragedy for all humanity and
one that we and the world must never forget.” The statement was
delivered following strongly worded letters from more than 200 House
and Senate leaders last week, asking the President to properly
acknowledge the genocide in his annual statement.
“While the President once again employed the dictionary definition of
Genocide, we are deeply disappointed that he did not properly
characterize the attempted annihilation of our people as genocide,”
said Assembly Board of Trustees Chairman Hirair Hovnanian. “The
President had an opportunity to build on his 2000 campaign statement
as well as the words of President Ronald Reagan who properly
acknowledged the Armenian Genocide,” Hovnanian continued.
During the Assembly’s pan-Armenian advocacy conference last month,
U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs
Daniel Fried laid out the Administration’s position on the Armenian
Genocide, noting that the Administration has “a policy which many of
you disagree with,” but also stated that “the United States government
has never denied the events of 1915.” Fried also called on “Turkey to
reflect more seriously about subjects which have been taboo for
generations in that country.” He added: “We do not support…export of
denialist literature or positions. We do support efforts by Turkey to
deal with its history more seriously.”
“Today, as we mark the 91st anniversary of these crimes, genocide
deniers continue their morally bankrupt campaign against the truth as
evidenced by the recent federal lawsuit initiated in the state of
Massachusetts,” said Executive Director Bryan Ardouny. “In the face of
this ongoing denial, the United States must make a firm stand for the
truth,” Ardouny continued.
Bush’s statement, as in years past, encourages dialogue between Turks
and Armenians and states that “The analysis by the International
Center for Transitional Justice (ICTJ), while not the final word, has
made a significant contribution toward deepening our understanding of
these Events.” The ICTJ report, issued in 2003, reached the conclusion
that: “The Events, viewed collectively, can thus be said to include
all of the elements of the crime of genocide as defined in the
Convention, and legal scholars as well as historians, politicians,
journalists and other people would be justified in continuing to so
describe them.” The President’s reference to ICTJ serves as an
implicit acknowledgment of the Armenian Genocide.
The Administration has clarified its policy on the crime of genocide
and recently stated its views on the need to prevent its repetition.
The President’s National Security Strategy (NSS), which was released
last month, notes that “the world needs to start honoring a principle
that many believe has lost its force in parts of the international
community in recent years: genocide must not be tolerated. It is a
moral imperative that states take action to prevent and punish
genocide. History teaches that sometimes other states will not act
unless America does it part.”
“America did act in response to the first genocide of the twentieth
century and Armenian-Americans are forever grateful for the leading
role of the United States in attempting to stop the Armenian Genocide
and for aiding those who survived,” Hovnanian added.
“It is now time for the U.S. to continue this proud chapter of
American history and formally and irrevocably reaffirm the Armenian
Genocide,” he continued. “By so doing, the U.S. will articulate the
same message it has already sent to the public – that genocide must
not be tolerated.”
In his statement, the President also says that the U.S. applauds
Armenia’s democratic reforms and seeks to help bolster Armenia’s
security and deepen its inclusion in the Euro-Atlantic community. The
President also encouraged a peaceful settlement of the Nagorno
Karabakh conflict, adding “We remain committed to securing a peaceful
and lasting settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and hope the
leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan will take bold steps to achieve this
goal.”
The Armenian Assembly of America is the largest Washington-based
nationwide organization promoting public understanding and awareness
of Armenian issues. It is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt membership
organization.
NR#2006-041
Editor’s Note: Below is the full text of President Bush’s statement.
For Immediate Release Office of the Press Secretary April 24, 2006
PRESIDENT’S STATEMENT ON ARMENIAN REMEMBRANCE DAY
Today, we remember one of the horrible tragedies of the 20th century
— the mass killings and forced exile of as many as 1.5 million
Armenians in the final days of the Ottoman Empire in 1915. This was a
tragedy for all humanity and one that we and the world must never
forget.
We mourn this terrible chapter of history and recognize that it
remains a source of pain for people in Armenia and for all those who
believe in freedom, tolerance, and the dignity and value of every
human life. It is a credit to the human spirit and generations of
Armenians who live in Armenia, America, and around the globe that they
have overcome this suffering and proudly preserved their centuries-old
culture, traditions, and religion.
We praise the individuals in Armenia and Turkey who have sought to
examine the historical events of this time with honesty and
sensitivity. The analysis by the International Center for
Transitional Justice, while not the final word, has made a significant
contribution toward deepening our understanding of these events. We
encourage dialogues, including through joint commissions, that strive
for a shared understanding of these tragic events and move Armenia and
Turkey towards normalized relations.
Today, we look with hope to a bright future for Armenia. Armenia’s
Millennium Challenge Compact reflects our confidence and the
importance we place in Armenia making progress on democratic reform
and advancement of free markets. We seek to help Armenia bolster its
security and deepen its inclusion in the Euro-Atlantic family. We
remain committed to securing a peaceful and lasting settlement of the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and hope the leaders of Armenia and
Azerbaijan will take bold steps to achieve this goal.
On this solemn day of remembrance, Laura and I express our deepest
condolences to the Armenian people. Our nations stand together,
determined to create a future of peace, prosperity, and freedom for
the citizens of our countries and the world.
GEORGE W. BUSH