I. Ermeni Sorunun Tarihsel Boyutu
6. ABD Başkanlarının
Demeçleri
George W. BUSH - Nisan 24, 2005
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For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
April 24, 2005
President's Statement on Armenian Remembrance Day.
On Armenian Remembrance Day, we remember the forced exile and mass killings
of as many as 1.5 million Armenians during the last days of the Ottoman
Empire. This terrible event is what many Armenian people have come to call
the "Great Calamity." I join my fellow Americans and Armenian people around
the world in expressing my deepest condolences for this horrible loss of
life.
Today, as we commemorate the 90th anniversary of this human tragedy and
reflect on the suffering of the Armenian people, we also look toward a
promising future for an independent Armenian state. The United States is
grateful for Armenia's contributions to the war on terror and to efforts to
build a democratic and peaceful Iraq. We remain committed to supporting the
historic reforms Armenia has pursued for over a decade. We call on the
Government of Armenia to advance democratic freedoms that will further
advance the aspirations of the Armenian people. We remain committed to a
lasting and peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. We also
seek a deeper partnership with Armenia that includes security cooperation
and is rooted in the shared values of democratic and market economic
freedoms.
I applaud individuals in Armenia and Turkey who have sought to examine the
historical events of the early 20th century with honesty and sensitivity.
The recent analysis by the International Center for Transitional Justice did
not provide the final word, yet marked a significant step toward
reconciliation and restoration of the spirit of tolerance and cultural
richness that has connected the people of the Caucasus and Anatolia for
centuries. We look to a future of freedom, peace, and prosperity in Armenia
and Turkey and hope that Prime Minister Erdogan's recent proposal for a
joint Turkish-Armenian commission can help advance these processes.
Millions of Americans proudly trace their ancestry to Armenia. Their faith,
traditions, and patriotism enrich the cultural, political, and economic life
of the United States. I appreciate all individuals who work to promote peace,
tolerance, and reconciliation.
On this solemn day of remembrance, I send my best wishes and expressions of
solidarity to Armenian people around the world.
Konrad Adenauer Caddesi No: 61 06550 Yıldız – Çankaya ANKARA
Tel: +90 312 491 60 70 Fax: +90 312 491 70 13
e-mail:
info@eraren.org web:
http://www.eraren.org/