STATEMENT BY THE PRESIDENT: ARMENIAN REMEMBRANCE DAY

Business Wire (press release), CA
April 24 2008

WASHINGTON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–On this day of remembrance, we honor
the memory of the victims of one of the greatest tragedies of the
20th century, the mass killings and forced exile of as many as
1.5 million Armenians at the end of the Ottoman Empire. I join the
Armenian community in America and around the world in commemorating
this tragedy and mourning the loss of so many innocent lives.

As we reflect on this epic human tragedy, we must resolve to redouble
our efforts to promote peace, tolerance, and respect for the dignity
of human life. The Armenian people’s unalterable determination to
triumph over tragedy and flourish is a testament to their strength
of character and spirit. We are grateful for the many contributions
Americans of Armenian heritage have made to our Nation.

We welcome the efforts by individuals in Armenia and Turkey to
foster reconciliation and peace, and support joint efforts for an
open examination of the past in search of a shared understanding of
these tragic events. We look forward to the realization of a fully
normalized Armenia-Turkey relationship.

The United States is committed to a strong relationship with Armenia
based on shared values. We call on the Government of Armenia to
take decisive steps to promote democracy, and will continue our
support for Armenia to this end. We remain committed to serving as
an honest broker in pursuit of a lasting and peaceful settlement of
the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

On this solemn day of remembrance, Laura and I express our deepest
condolences to Armenian people around the world.