I. Ermeni Sorunun Tarihsel Boyutu
6. ABD Başkanlarının
Demeçleri
Bill CLINTON - Nisan 23,
1995
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April 23, 1995 — Armenian Remembrance Day
On this solemn day, I join with Armenians throughout the United States, in
Armenia, and around the world in remembering the 80th anniversary of the
Armenians who perished, victims of massacres in the last years of the
Ottoman Empire. Their loss is our loss; their courage a testament to
mankind's indomitable spirit.
It is this spirit that kept the hope of Armenians alive through the
centuries of persecution. It is this spirit that lives today in the hearts
of all Armenians — in their church, in their language, in their culture.
And, it is this spirit that underpins the remarkable resilience and courage
of Armenians around the world. The Armenian American community — now nearly
one million strong — has made enormous contributions to America. Now, with
the emergence of an independent Armenia, the Armenian people are bringing
the same determination to building democracy and a modern economy in their
native land.
Even as we commemorate the past — which we must never forget — we commit
ourselves today to Armenia's future as an independent and prosperous nation,
at peace with its neighbors and with close ties to the West. That is why the
United States has provided more that $445 million in assistance to alleviate
humanitarian needs and support democratic and economic reform. I will do
everything in my power to preserve assistance levels for Armenia.
I continue to be deeply concerned about the conflict in the region
surrounding Armenia. The terrible effects of this war have been felt
throughout the Caucasus: tens of thousand have died, more that a million
have been displaced, economies have been shattered, and security threatened.
The United States is committed to working with the Organization on Security
and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) to encourage Armenia and Azerbaijan to move
beyond their cease-fife to a lasting political settlement. I plan to
nominate a Special Negotiator for Nagorno-Karabakh at the rank of Ambassador
to advance those negotiations. And I pledge United States support of OSCE
efforts to back that settlement with a peacekeeping force.
The U.S. also seeks to encourage the regional cooperation that will build
prosperity and reinforce peace. I commend the recent decision of the
Government of Turkey to open air corridors to Armenia, which will make
assistance delivery faster, cheaper and more reliable. We had urged that it
do so and hope this is a first step toward lifting other blockades in the
region, initially for humanitarian deliveries and then overall. Open borders
would help create the conditions needed for economic recovery and
development, including construction of a Caspian oil pipeline through the
Caucasus to Turkey, which is a key to long-term prosperity in the region.
The Administration's efforts — assistance in support of reform, reinforced
efforts toward peace settlement, building broad regional cooperation and
encouraging the development of a Caspian oil pipeline through the Caucasus
to Turkey — represent the key building blocks of U.S. policy to support the
development of an independent and prosperous Armenia.
On this 80th anniversary of the Armenian massacres, I call upon all people
to work to prevent future acts of such inhumanity. And, as we remember the
past, let us also rededicate ourselves to building a democratic Armenia of
prosperity and lasting peace.
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