Category: News

Turkey condemns German parties on Armenia
Expatica, Netherlands
Feb 28 2005
28 February 2005
BERLIN – Turkey’s ambassador to Germany, Mehmet Ali Irtemcelik, has
angrily denounced a parliamentary resolution by the German
conservative opposition on the alleged mass expulsion and murder of
Armenians by Ottoman Turks 90 years ago.
In a statement, the ambassador accused the opposition Christian
Democratic Union/Christian Social Union (CDU/CSU) of having made
itself into a “spokesman for fanatical Armenian nationalism”.
He called the resolution, put forth by the CDU/CSU faction in the
German parliament on 22 February, a one-sided portrayal and said the
matter should be left to the historians.
“We would hope that our
friends in the Union parties, through their clumsy slander of Turkish
history, are not aiming to insult in particular our citizens living
here and in this manner to damage the manifold relations between
Turkey and Germany,” he said.
The CDU/CSU resolution was put forward to mark the upcoming 90th
anniversary of the events in the former Turkish Ottoman Empire
involving the Turks’ treatment of the ethnic Armenian minority.
In the resolution, the CDU said that on 24 April 1915, the order was
given by the Ottoman Turks to arrest and deport the Armenian cultural
and political elites, leading to the murder of most of them. It said
1.2 to 1.5 million Armenians were victims.
The resolution said that to this day, Turkey as the legal successor
to the Ottoman empire is still denying that the events were planned
and massacres carried out.
“This position of rejection stands in contradiction to the idea of
reconciliation which guides the community of values in the European
Union which Turkey wants to join,” the CDU/CSU resolution said.
In his statement, Irtemcelik said the CDU/CSU needed to explain why
it has waited so long, including the period when it was in power in
Germany to put such a sensitive topic on the agenda. The CDU/CSU was
in power in Bonn and then Berlin between 1982 and 1998.
He said the Union parties in the past had always opposed initiatives
which had sought to instrumentalise the German parliament.
Over two million Turks live in Germany, making up by far the largest
foreign ethnic group in the country.
In January, the eastern German state of Brandenburg, bowing to
diplomatic pressure from Turkey, struck the subject of the Turkish
genocide against Armenians from its classroom curriculum.
But then this move was partially rescinded, after pressure by
Armenian representatives, so that the genocide against Armenians is
taught in the classroom as being one of several examples of genocide
in the 20th Century.
DPA

MORE GREEN SPACE
Azat Artsakh – Nagorno Karabakh Republic (NKR)
27 Feb 05
The recent structural changes in the government, particularly the
creation of a separate ministry of city building, show that town
building has become a priority in the development of the country. The
post-war peace, even in the neither war, nor peace situation, is
gathering momentum. The country is reconstructed. Of course, mainly
owing to the tremendous help of the Diaspora; on the means provided
by the Armenian Diaspora roads, schools, medical institutions, houses
and irrigation systems are built. Besides, the government has also
begun investing large sums in this sphere. This year the state budget
provided 5.5 billion drams which exceeds the sum provided last year
1.5 times. The new ministry is headed by Boris Alaverdian who has
experience of engineer and economist and headed the former Ministry
of Development of Industrial Infrastructures and Building since
June 2004. What is the reason for creating a separate ministry,
what is the range of activity of the new structure and which are
its priorities? Minister Boris ALAVERDIAN answered this and other
questions. â~@~S This kind of attention of the government towards
building is dictated by the requirements of life and by the fact
that our state is becoming steadier and stronger. The structural
changes which resulted in the separate ministry of town building
also affected the internal structure. Particularly a new department
for policy of town building and architecture was established. Now a
thorough selection of high-quality specialists is carried out because
this department will work out the policies of the ministry. Besides,
the powers of the supervision bodies will be widened, which will
hopefully have a positive impact on the quality of building in the
country. Since last year all the building sites are controlled
by the ministry. After the separation of the ministry our work
became more specialized, which, I am sure, will be beneficial for
our activity. â~@~S Could you enumerate the present priorities of
the ministry? â~@~S First about the capital. The government intends
to expand the green area in the town. The people of the town feel
suffocated by the density of buildings. The town was smaller before
but it had several parks. Today there is only one park. This year
we shall expand the green area in the capital. As to the rest
of the republic, the activity of the ministry will be directed at
providing every village in Karabakh with comfortable buildings for the
village council, school and club. â~@~S What do you mean when you say
â~@~a comfortable buildingâ~@~]? â~@~S I mean conditions for normal
operation of the village council. Reconstruction works, building of
administrative, cultural buildings is planned. In village schools
boilers will be installed for central heating, problems of water
supply will be solved. The problem of electric power supply has been
almost solved. Only several villages in the regions of Kashatagh and
Shahumian do not have electricity. The next problem if gasification of
the country. In the coming year it is planned to complete gasification
of the towns of Stepanakert, Martuni and Shushi. This year gasification
of the region of Hadrut will begin at last. In the coming years we plan
to complete the program of gasification of the whole country. In the
coming years we also plan to complete the state program of providing
families of the killed and disabled soldiers with flats. â~@~S Last
year the architectural council under the Ministry of Industrial
Infrastructures and Building was dissolved, and its functions were
shared by the architectural council of the ministry and the local
governments. What was the reason for this change, and wonâ~@~Yt this
impact the efficiency of the council? As the architectural potential
is concentrated in the capital, how competent will the decision
of the architectural council of the city hall of Hadrut or Shushi
be if there is not a single architect in the council? By the way,
the architects think that in the case of Shushi the situation is
simply deplorable. â~@~S Yes, last year we did that in order for the
local bodies to be assessed by the competent body. This was done to
increase the responsibility of the local architectural and building
services. This mechanism, however, proved ineffective. Probably,
it is necessary to reconsider the former decision and seek for
positive results. â~@~S Mr. Minister, is the esthetic aspect
taken into consideration during competitions for engineering or
reconstructing valuable architectural monuments? â~@~S Of course, we
set such requirements during competitions for individual projects. I
can enumerate several examples: the projects of the buildings of the
museum of local lore, National Assembly, the republic library included
quite interesting architectural solutions. We set such demands before
projects of administrative and cultural buildings. And in the question
of reconstruction of Shushi we set special requirements. I know that
there is no architect in the architectural council under the Shushi
City Hall. However, I think, the problem can be solved; we may invite
architects from abroad, and solve the problems adequately. Recognizing
the importance of the issue we undertake other steps: we enable the
private sector to implement their programs at the condition that
their works be controlled by us.
SUSANNA BALAYAN. 27-02-2005
–Boundary_(ID_+nXi7jv6uXQrxkho6TmPDA)–

QUESTION OF MANDATE SEEMS POINTLESS
Azat Artsakh – Nagorno Karabakh Republic (NKR)
27 Feb 05
The report of the commission of the EC Committee of Ministers argues
that RA president Robert Kocharian told the commission that he had
been given the mandate to conduct negotiations for the settlement of
the Karabakh conflict by the NKR authorities. Did the NKR government
really grant such power to the RA president? â~@~S From where did this
question occur at all? What does the mandate have to do here? After
the summit in Lisbon in 1996 the negotiations in the framework of the
OSCE Minsk Group were stopped, while Nagorni Karabakh had only this
opportunity to take part in negotiations. In other formats Azerbaijan
did not wish to talk to NKR. In this situation the presidents of
Armenia and Azerbaijan agreed to discuss the relationships of the two
countries at the top level, including the topic of settlement of the
conflict relationships. Now is there any need for mandate for this? The
government of Armenia which is the guarantor of the security of the
people of NKR, determines its policy itself, which can be assessed by
the citizens and political forces of Armenia. It is not up to Nagorni
Karabakh to decide what is wrong and what is right in this matter. In
this sense we do not even have the right to impact the actions of the
sovereign Armenian republic. It is another question that we arrogate to
ourselves the right to express openly our own standpoint concerning
all the aspects of our issue and the impact of the conflict on
the interests of Armenia. Our standpoint was and is expressed
unambiguously. We have always thought that without the participation
of NKR the negotiations cannot be effective. What is more, significant
problems occur for Armenia and NKR both from the point of view of
diplomacy of settlement and on the international scene in general. We
think, Armenia does not have any responsibilities for the consequences
of the conflict, particularly territories outside its territory
of sovereignty and humanitarian problems before the international
community. The settlement of similar problems is the authority of NKR
and we see the settlement of these problems in direct negotiations with
Azerbaijan which is dissatisfied with NKR. On the other hand, the NKR
government is attentive towards everything that can have a negative
impact on the fate of Armenia. We have no wish to solve our problems at
the expense of Armenia, and generally by way of causing moral damage
to the people of Armenia. Therefore, the question of mandating the RA
president seems pointless. Everybody must feel responsible for the
settlement of those difficult problems together. And if something
is wrong, the situation must be discussed calmly and additional
opportunities must be sought for to overcome them. I think, today in
the world they begin to understand the standpoint of NKR. Recently
in the resolution of the PACE on Nagorni Karabakh the idea was set
forth clearly that the failure of the decade-old negotiations was
caused by the absence of direct dialogue between the governments of
Azerbaijan and NKR, and the improvement of the prospect for settlement
is connected with the necessity of such a dialogue. â~@~S But the
author of the resolution David Atkinson told in his interview to BBC
about the unacceptability of the principle of self-determination in
the settlement of the Karabakh conflict. – Everything is correct. He
does not believe that Azerbaijan may recognize the independence of
NKR. But it is already enough that Atkinson expresses the opinion of
Europe that the sides will make their decisions themselves. That is to
say, there is no complex in reference to the question that NKR may be
recognized as an independent country. Let them seat the sides at the
table of negotiations, and time will show. Why, and you want to make
a guess for everything beforehand. NKR IS WILLING TO NEGOTIATE The
political adviser to the NKR president Manvel Sarghissian, touching
upon the talks for the NKR issue in his interview to our newspaper,
implied that they are rather talks for the bilateral relationships
between Armenia and Azerbaijan. At the same time he added that although
Armenia is the country that guarantees the security of the people
of NKR, its government decides on its foreign policy, including for
Azerbaijan, itself. Mr. Sarghissian also said that Armenia, in fact,
faces difficult problems connected with the fact that the problem of
Karabakh is not settled yet. â~@~These also wait for their solution
through negotiations. Moreover, Armenia has its own understanding
of the fate of NKR,â~@~] said Manvel Sarghissian. Commenting on
David Atkinsonâ~@~Ys resolution adopted by the PACE, the adviser to
the NKR president said, â~@~The PACE resolution is first of all
a political document. Such resolutions form a background for real
politics. Therefore, we need to be interested in the real steps of the
EC starting from this resolution. Today the resolution is interpreted
in different ways, for which the document provides a wide scene. But as
it is necessary to think about the prospect of real policies conducted
by the EC, it is more preferable to follow the interpretations of the
resolution by the Europeans. In this sense I would like to draw your
attention to the interview of the author of the resolution to the BBC
immediately after the adoption of the resolution by the PACE. Pay
attention to such concepts as â~@~during ten years after signing
cease-fire the sides did not achieve peace because there were no
real relationships between the Azerbaijani and NK authoritiesâ~@¦ ,
it is necessary to start negotiations, to maintain a dialogue for its
settlementâ~@¦, the PACE suggested shifting the Minsk process to the
parliamentary plain levelâ~@¦ , and if the people of Karabakh maintain
the present independence, de facto independence from Azerbaijan,
and Azerbaijan agrees to this, we will also recognize it… , now we
are waiting for the Azerbaijani government to set up relationships
with the authorities of Karabakh and propose starting discussion â~@¦
the dialogue must begin without preconditions (from the interview in
the ). Nagorni Karabakh also thinks so. If Europe
wants to bring the authorities of Azerbaijan and Nagorni Karabakh to
the table of negotiations, this may, in fact, create an atmosphere
for the settlement of the conflict. Especially that parliamentary
relations, moving the Minsk process to the parliamentary plain of
NKR and Azerbaijan are concerned,â~@~] notices Manvel Sarghissian.
27-02-2005
–Boundary_(ID_elJMjHj/9N6JLMzSSmCiNQ)–

Armenia violates ceasefire again
Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
Feb 28 2005
Baku, February 25, AssA-Irada
Armenian military units fired from their positions in the occupied
Shikhlar village of Aghdam District at the positions of the Azerbaijani
armed forces located in the Orta Gishlag village of the same district
with submachine and machine guns on Friday afternoon, the ATV reported.
Residents of the village were hiding in the basements of their
houses during the shooting. The Ministry of Defence did not confirm
the report.
The ceasefire has been breached by Armenia in Aghdam District seven
times this month.
Another local TV channel, Lider, reported that ceasefire was also
breached in the Tovuz District.*

“Int’l assistance needed to arraign Khojaly massacre perpetrators”
Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
Feb 28 2005
Baku, February 25, AssA-Irada
The chief perpetrators of the Khojaly massacre of Azerbaijanis
committed by Armenians in 1992 have yet to be held responsible. The
world community’s assistance is needed in this, the President’s adviser
on national affairs Hidayat Orujov told a Friday news conference
dedicated to the 13th anniversary of the tragedy.
Orujov said that law enforcement are currently investigating the
actions perpetrated by the criminals responsible for the massacre
in Armenia, Upper Garabagh and Moscow. Some of the criminal cases
have already been disclosed, while extensive information needs to be
ascertained with regard to others. The Azeri government is doing its
utmost in this area, he said.
Orujov added that if the number of countries that recognize and
become aware of the massacre increases, this would accelerate and
facilitate catching, bringing these criminals to Azerbaijan and
holding them accountable.*

Awaiting new revolution, political forces define goals and formats
By Karine Mangasarian
Yerkir/arm
25 Feb 05
Today, revolutionary rumors have re-activated in Armenia. And
now everybody knows that Aram Karapetian of â~@~New Timesâ~@~]
is taking the lead over the April revolution. Who believes in this
revolution? Can it take place in Armenia? And eventually why is Aram
Karapetian appropriating all the opposition functions?
Chairman of the â~@~Republicâ~@~] party political council Albert
Bazeyan says that those who are preparing for a revolution must
say whether there are pre-conditions for it or not. As to the
â~@~Republicâ~@~] party, Bazeyan says it has not received any
invitation fro Aram Karapetian, but if it does, it will consider
possible collaboration and format.
Leader of Constitutional Right Union Hrant Khachatrian believes
that the nation will only support a revolution, if it feels that
it is not guided by an external force. Khachatrian believes that
Karapetianâ~@~Ys term â~@~S revolution – describes the speed
of changing the situation. Khachatrian does not exclude possible
participation in the revolution, if a serious project and suggestion
be offered.
Non-parliamentary forces are not so inspired by Karapetianâ~@~Ys
revolutionary initiative. Leader of the New Communist Party Yura
Manukian says that â~@~ revolution is not a childâ~@~Ys play. It is
a serious programmatic approach to changing the social system. And
relevant ideology today have only Communists and Dashnaks. Other calls
for revolution can only destabilize the situation in our country.â~@~]
He believes that revolution is not about replacing personalities but
about offering new programs. The communist leader advises against
relying on the â~@~ semi-determinedâ~@~] external forces.
And the leader of the National Accord party Aram Harutiunian compares
the revolutionary initiative with learning to play chess for the
first time. He says: â~@~Today, some of the Armenian politicians
are like some of the chess figures, who want to get quickly to the
place of a king. I cannot understand Aram Karapetian.
Of course, we have a number of social, economic and political problems
like illegitimate authorities today, but one should not go for sport
euphoria on the political stage. There are issue, but they need
projects to improve the situation.â~@~]
And leader of Republican faction Galust Sahakian seems to be
unserious about the revolutionary moods. He said: â~@~In regards to
the timelines, I trust Vladimir Ilyich Lenin who did not expose any
dates until the very revolution.â~@~]
–Boundary_(ID_Ny0ubVevK9sX+vO67jou1w)–

New challenges
Editorial
Yerkir/arm
25 Feb 05
At the present stage, the Armenian state policy on recognition of
the genocide must consider an additional context: a completely new,
principally different situation has been created, since the Armenian
Genocide has entered the European policy agenda.
Thus, something we have been dreaming of for decades is coming true. So
the Armenian policy must undergo serious definitions, preserving the
positive gains.
In terms of the changes, we prioritize the activation of the
so-called popular diplomacy. In the recent months a number of European
intelligentsia representatives have publicly denounced Turkeyâ~@~Ys
attempts to mutilate the reality of the Genocide. However, our media
rarely cover such events and the Foreign Affairs Ministry hardly
performs any work with those individuals.
Meanwhile, it is necessary to work with those people not only via
diplomatic links but also through popular diplomacy: by activating
intelligentsia communications. We must encourage these people to find
others who may shape public opinion abroad. Note that no matter how
bureaucratic Europe is, it is still influence by the public opinion and
using the popular diplomacy, we can guide the denouncement of Turkey.
This must be a principally new approach. We must not only oppose to
Turkeyâ~@~Ys mutilating policy but make another step ahead and work
with the European society.
–Boundary_(ID_1QR4pKQzWUeN3eCCnIkzzg)–
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Hai Dat: New stage
Yerkir/arm
25 Feb 05
During the past four years, under the Armenian Revolutionary Federation
(ARF) Bureau leadership, the ARF bodies were actively engaged in
political activities. The Hai Dat Committee was established in
the European Union and an office was founded first in Paris then
in Brussels.
Thus, through their everyday hard work, the offices in Brussels
and Moscow, as well as the committees in the European Union and
the European countries of the former Soviet Union, made the voices
of Armenia and the Armenians heard in the capitals, Paris, Athens,
Vilnius, Kiev, Moscow and Brussels.
The representatives of the ARF bodies and the youth organization raised
and defended the Armenian cause at the Socialist International bodies
from Geneva to Madrid, Vienna, Rome, Berlin and Sofia. The Armenian
Genocide recognition, the fair settlement of the Artsakh issue, the
rights of the Javakhk Armenians, support to the Armenian diplomacy
were the main issues on the agenda.
With the efforts of the Haid Dat committee of the European Union, a
conference on the Hai Dat and the Pro Armenia forum were held in Paris,
and the first congress of the European Armenians convened in Brussels.
Due to the professional campaigning of the Brussels office,
pro-Armenian resolutions were adopted. Also, due to enduring efforts,
the Turkish diplomacy was pushed back and pro-Armenian provisions
were secured in the EU annual report on Turkey.
After the EU decision to start accession talks with Turkey, our
struggle gained a new momentum. Turkey has voice its objectives. They
were clearly reflected in the recent statement by Turkish Foreign
Minister Abdullah Gul, who said that the fight against the recognition
of the Armenian Genocide is a priority for his government and they
would not spare funds for this goal.
We are aware of Turkey’s goals and we should address those challenges,
including making the French president and the Dutch prime minister
to respect their pledges of pressing Turkey to review its history
and recognize the Armenian Genocide.
The Hai Dat EU office should maintain the pressure and strengthen
its lobbying activities among the European decision-makers.
The above mentioned was greatly possible due to the fundraising banquet
organized four years ago in Geneva by the ARF Bureau. Donations were
made from Armenia, Middle East, Russia and Europe. On the eve of the
90th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, these activities should
be carried on in order to meet the new challenges. ARF Bureau has
decided to establish a regional Hai Dat office in the Middle East.
A banquet to raise funds for the new office will be held on February
26 in Paris. Cilicia Catholicos Aram I will chair the banquet also
to be attended by Archbishop Vache Hovsepian, representative of the
Catholicos of All Armenians, Garegin II. Armenian Foreign Minister
Vardan Oskanian will be the keynote speaker at the event.
Reports and projects to promote the above-mentioned efforts will also
be presented at the banquet. Public figures, artists and politicians
from Armenia, Russian, Europe and Middle East have been invited to
attend the banquet.

‘Victory call’
By Armine Ghazarian
Yerkir/arm
25 Feb 05
This year is the 4500th anniversary of Armeniansâ~@~Y victory in the
Hyak and Bell â~@~Ys battle. In this respect, the Armenian National
Library hosted a presentation of Arsen Hambartsumianâ~@~Ys book â~@~S
â~@~Victory call.â~@~]
The editor of the book, Anahit Arpeni called it a purity, family and
motherhood source. The author expresses a greatest love and dedication
to the family, pride for the nation, its past and cultural heritage.
â~@~Analyzing the composition of the Armenian blood with a scientific
focus, he formats it in a literary drama. Researching the temporal,
shape, ethnological, and historical human nature, he discovers the
DNA of the Armenian nation.â~@~]
At the end of the book, he presents a small research of the Armenian
alphabet: relevant calculations of the 36 consonants and vowels
of the alphabet make up 366 phonemes, which matches the number of
days within a year. It could be no accident, 366 is our calendar,
which starts from the Hayk and Bell battle,â~@~] says the author.
The pupils of school after Vahan Tekeyan made a small performance on
one of the scenes of the book.
Some of the speech makers at the event were Abgar Apinian of â~@~Dar
21â~@~] company, writer Hrachia Matevosian, etcâ~@¦
–Boundary_(ID_HChMfd1yysuLW2fFpzF47g)–

Armenian National Committee of America
888 17th St., NW, Suite 904
Washington, DC 20006
Tel: (202) 775-1918
Fax: (202) 775-5648
E-mail: [email protected]
Internet:
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 28, 2005
Contact: Elizabeth S. Chouldjian
Tel: (202) 775-1918
AMBASSADOR EVANS’ STATEMENTS RECOGNIZING THE ARMENIAN
GENOCIDE DO NOT REPRESENT A FORMAL CHANGE IN U.S. POLICY
— ANCA Voices Community Outrage Over Administration’s Inability
to Withstand Turkish Pressure over Ambassador’s Statements
WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Ambassador to Armenia John Marshall Evans, only
days after completing an official tour of Armenian American communities
during which he repeatedly gave recognition to the Armenian Genocide,
has noted that these comments were his private views and do not
reflect a change in U.S. government policy. His statement on this
subject was posted today on the Embassy’s website –
“Armenian Americans are profoundly disappointed by those influential
officials that remain within the Administration who – against all
facts and contrary to U.S. interests – are still able to impose their
agenda on every front of the increasingly untenable and lop-sided
U.S.-Turkey relationship. This is particularly troubling, coming at
a time when Turkey has obstructed U.S. regional objectives, deceived
U.S. policymakers, and fostered an unprecedented level of anti-American
sentiment among its citizens. As a community, we vigorously condemn
the ongoing policy of U.S. complicity in Turkey’s shameful campaign
of Genocide denial,” said ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian.
“Regardless of the disappointing outcome of this episode, we commend
Amb. Evans for his courage in coming forward and publicly stating his
views on the Armenian Genocide, views that are shared by all but the
Turkish government and its surrogates. In so doing, the Ambassador
has placed this issue prominently on America’s public agenda. For our
part, as Armenian Americans, on this year of the 90th anniversary
of the Armenian Genocide, we will pursue this matter with renewed
vigor – with the White House, Congress, and the entire foreign policy
community,” added Hamparian.
Ambassador Evans comments were made at a series of public Armenian
American community outreach events in Boston, New York, New Jersey,
San Francisco, Los Angeles, Fresno and Washington, DC. During his
presentations in these cities, the Ambassador spoke with a level of
candor on the Armenian Genocide that was specifically welcomed by
Armenian Americans.
During his public presentation at the University of California,
Berkeley, hosted by Armenian Studies Program Executive Director,
Prof. Stephan Astourian, Evans announced, “I will today call it the
Armenian Genocide.” The Ambassador, who has studied Russian History
at Yale and Columbia universities and Ottoman History at the Kennan
Institute, argued that, “we, the US government, owe you, our fellow
citizens a more frank and honest way of discussing this problem.
Today, as someone who’s studied it… There’s no doubt in my mind
what happened.” He explained that he had also consulted with a State
Department lawyer who confirmed that the events of 1915 were “genocide
by definition.”
Amb. Evans’ commitment to moral clarity came through in further
remarks, stating “I think it is unbecoming of us as Americans to play
word games here. I believe in calling things by their name.”
During a speech to schoolchildren at the Alex Pilibos Armenian School
in Los Angeles, Amb. Evans cited with pride that 37 U.S. states had
recognized the Armenian Genocide.
The full text of Amb. Evans February 28th statement follows.
#####
Public Affairs
News Release
EMBASSY OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
MARSHALL BAGHRAMIAN STREET 18
YEREVAN, ARMENIA
TELEPHONE (+374 1) 52 78 71; 52 16 11; 52 46 61
FAX (+374 1) 52 08 00
E-MAIL: [email protected]
U.S. Ambassador: Regarding comments made in the United States
I would like to clarify U.S. policy. Misunderstandings make have
arisen as a result of comments made by me during recent informal
meetings with Armenian-American groups in the United States
regarding the characterization of the Armenian tragedy in Ottoman
Turkey and the future status of Nagorno Karabakh.
Although I told my audiences that the United States policy on the
Armenian Genocide has not changed, I used the term “genocide”
speaking in what I characterized as my personal capacity. This was
inappropriate.
The President’s annual statement on Armenian Remembrance Day
articulates U.S. policy on this matter. My government acknowledges
the tragedy that befell the Armenian community in Anatolia during
the last years of the Ottoman Empire. We have been actively
encouraging scholarly, civil society and diplomatic discussion of
the forced killing and exile of Armenians in 1915. We have also
encouraged economic and political dialogue between the governments
of Armenia and Turkey in order to help all parties come to terms
with these horrific events.
In addition, my comments on the status of Nagorno Karabakh may have
also created misunderstanding on U.S. policy. The U.S. government
supports the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan and holds that the
future status of Nagorno Karabakh is a matter of negotiation
between Armenia and Azerbaijan.
The United States remains committed to finding a peaceful
settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict through the Minsk group
process. We are encouraged by the continuing talks between the
Foreign Ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan under the auspice of
the Minsk group co-chairs.
I deeply regret any misunderstanding caused by my comments.
Sincerely,
John M. Evans
U.S. Ambassador to Armenia