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| 13:06:41 | 25-04-2005 | Official |
BUSH DID NOT USE THE WORD «GENOCIDE»
On April 24 the US President George Bush has made a statement in connection
with the 90th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. It is said in the
statement:
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.