Interfax, Russia
APril 23 2010

Intl recognition of genocide of Armenians will continue despite
objections from Turkey – president of Armenia

YEREVAN April 23

Armenia continues its fight for the international recognition of the
genocide of Armenians in the early 20th century, Armenian President
Serzh Sargsyan said.

"Now that we have approached the 95th anniversary of the genocide of
Armenians we are calling on everyone to remember that the memory of
the innocent victims of the program to destroy 1.5 million people just
for being Armenian, which was carried out at a state level, and
continues to lead to claims for recognition and condemnation,"
Sargsyan said in his address to the people of Armenia on Thursday.

"The international struggle for the recognition of genocide continues,
and although some circles in Turkey want to use our honesty to hurt us
to avoid the reality of April 24, they should know that April 24 is a
day symbolizing the genocide of Armenians, but it in no way restricts
the schedule of its international recognition," Sargsyan said.

"We thank the countries, organizations, and individuals who are
supporting us in our condemnation and prevention of crimes against
humanity. We express our appreciation to those representatives of the
Turkish intelligentsia who are fighting for the restoration of
historical truth and share our pain," Sargsyan said.

Earlier on Thursday, Sargsyan said in his address to the people of
Armenia that Armenia is withdrawing from the process of settling
relations with Turkey at this stage and is halting the ratification of
Armenian-Turkish protocols.