Interfax, Russia
April 24 2005
World community must recognize Armenian genocide – Kocharian
YEREVAN. April 24 (Interfax) – Armenia on Sunday is commemorating the
90th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.
In an address to his compatriots Armenian President Robert Kocharian
said that, the crime against Armenians, committed 90 years ago, had
no parallel or even name in the history of Mankind.
The year 1915 cut through the fate of the Armenian nation, radically
changing the natural course of its history, Kocharian said.
“International recognition and condemnation of genocide is a goal
which not only Armenia must attain. It should be viewed today in the
context of international politics. Armenians are not experiencing any
hatred. Armenia is declaring its readiness to build normal relations
with Turkey. However, the policy being pursued by Ankara is arousing
surprise not only in Armenia, but elsewhere in the world,” the
Armenian president said.
The genocide of Armenians in the Ottoman Empire has been recognized
and condemned by 15 countries, including Russia, by commissions in
the UN, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe and the
European Parliament, and by 32 of the 50 US states. International
recognition of the Armenian genocide ranks among Armenia’s
foreign-policy priorities.