ADDRESS BY PRESIDENT SERZH SARKISIAN ON THE DAY OF REMEMBRANCE OF THE VICTIMS OF THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

ARMENPRESS
April 24, 2008

YEREVAN, APRIL 24, ARMENPRESS: Dear Compatriots: today we pay tribute
to the memory of the victims of the Armenian Genocide.

As a result of the state-conspired and carried out genocide in the
Ottoman Turkey, a vast number of the Armenians were annihilated on
their native land and lost their living space. At the time numerous
cultural and material values, which the Armenian people had been
creating for thousands of years, were destroyed and are being destroyed
even today.

International recognition and condemnation of the Armenian Genocide
is an appropriate and inevitable part of the Armenia’s foreign policy
agenda. The Motherland of all Armenians – the Republic of Armenia –
should double its efforts for the restoration of historic justice. When
it comes to the genocide condemnation, the denial has no future,
especially today, when many countries of the world have added their
voices to the voice of truth.

Recognition and condemnation of the Armenian Genocide is not just an
Armenian issue. Crime against humanity bears universal significance
and reverberation and must receive a universal recognition. Our goals
have nothing to do with animosity or revenge. While keeping the memory
of the innocent victims alive, presently we are ready to establish
normal relation with Turkey without any preconditions.

Dear Compatriots: The preconditions and causes of the Armenian Genocide
have been widely spoken and written about.

Many new facts and analytical works are waiting to be
published. However, one thing is absolutely clear: execution of such
a crime became possible only in the absence of the Armenian state.

Today, on April 24 we must acutely realize the exceptional meaning of
the Armenian state. The Armenian nation should develop and strengthen,
embracing our state – the guarantor of our people’s security.