Russia & CIS General Newswire
October 11, 2007 Thursday 1:53 PM MSK

Russian Armenians welcome U.S. decision to recognize 1915 genocide

The Armenian community in Russia welcomes the suggestion at the U.S.
Congress to recognize the Armenian genocide in the Ottoman Empire.

"This is a very important historic move by U.S. congressmen, which
shows that the United States truly prioritizes common human values,"
UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador and leader of the Russian Armenian Union
Ara Abramian told Interfax on Thursday.

A committee of the U.S. House of Representatives has recommended that
the house characterize as genocide the death of 1.5 million Armenians
in the Ottoman Empire in 1915-1917. The resolution will be put on a
vote in the middle of November. The Senate is drafting a similar
resolution. Both documents are purely declarative and do not require
the president’s approval.

"The Americans prove that they place human rights and values higher
than one-time political gains," he said. "This is a truly courageous
step, which is fraught with exacerbation of relations with an
important ally, Turkey. However, this step shows that no statute of
limitations applies to crimes against humanity and justice must
triumph eventually.

First and foremost, that is necessary for preventing similar
tragedies in the future," Abramian said.

Russia recognized the Armenian genocide in WWI, just as another 20
countries, he remarked.