Lev7 Posted April 24, 2006 Report Share Posted April 24, 2006 PRESIDENT'S STATEMENT ON ARMENIAN REMEMBRANCE DAY Today, we remember one of the horrible tragedies of the 20th century -- the mass killings and forced exile of as many as 1.5 million Armenians in the final days of the Ottoman Empire in 1915. This was a tragedy for all humanity and one that we and the world must never forget. We mourn this terrible chapter of history and recognize that it remains a source of pain for people in Armenia and for all those who believe in freedom, tolerance, and the dignity and value of every human life. It is a credit to the human spirit and generations of Armenians who live in Armenia, America, and around the globe that they have overcome this suffering and proudly preserved their centuries-old culture, traditions, and religion. We praise the individuals in Armenia and Turkey who have sought to examine the historical events of this time with honesty and sensitivity. The analysis by the International Center for Transitional Justice, while not the final word, has made a significant contribution toward deepening our understanding of these events. We encourage dialogues, including through joint commissions, that strive for a shared understanding of these tragic events and move Armenia and Turkey towards normalized relations. Today, we look with hope to a bright future for Armenia. Armenia's Millennium Challenge Compact reflects our confidence and the importance we place in Armenia making progress on democratic reform and advancement of free markets. We seek to help Armenia bolster its security and deepen its inclusion in the Euro-Atlantic family. We remain committed to securing a peaceful and lasting settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and hope the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan will take bold steps to achieve this goal. On this solemn day of remembrance, Laura and I express our deepest condolences to the Armenian people. Our nations stand together, determined to create a future of peace, prosperity, and freedom for the citizens of our countries and the world. GEORGE W. BUSH Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lev7 Posted April 24, 2006 Author Report Share Posted April 24, 2006 Armenian Assembly of America 1140 19th Street, NW, Suite 600 Washington, DC 20036 Phone: 202-393-3434 Fax: 202-638-4904 Email: info@aaainc.org Web: www.armenianassembly.org PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 24, 2006 CONTACT: Christine Kojoian E-mail: ckojoian@aaainc.org BUSH SAYS WORLD MUST NOT FORGET AVOIDS USING PROPER TERM OF GENOCIDE IN ANNUAL APRIL 24 STATEMENT WASHINGTON, DC - In his annual April 24th commemoration statement, President Bush described the "mass killings" and "exile" of 1.5 million Armenians noting that this was a "tragedy for all humanity and one that we and the world must never forget." The statement was delivered following strongly worded letters from more than 200 House and Senate leaders last week, asking the President to properly acknowledge the genocide in his annual statement. "While the President once again employed the dictionary definition of Genocide, we are deeply disappointed that he did not properly characterize the attempted annihilation of our people as genocide," said Assembly Board of Trustees Chairman Hirair Hovnanian. "The President had an opportunity to build on his 2000 campaign statement as well as the words of President Ronald Reagan who properly acknowledged the Armenian Genocide," Hovnanian continued. During the Assembly's pan-Armenian advocacy conference last month, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Daniel Fried laid out the Administration's position on the Armenian Genocide, noting that the Administration has "a policy which many of you disagree with," but also stated that "the United States government has never denied the events of 1915." Fried also called on "Turkey to reflect more seriously about subjects which have been taboo for generations in that country." He added: "We do not support...export of denialist literature or positions. We do support efforts by Turkey to deal with its history more seriously." "Today, as we mark the 91st anniversary of these crimes, genocide deniers continue their morally bankrupt campaign against the truth as evidenced by the recent federal lawsuit initiated in the state of Massachusetts," said Executive Director Bryan Ardouny. "In the face of this ongoing denial, the United States must make a firm stand for the truth," Ardouny continued. Bush's statement, as in years past, encourages dialogue between Turks and Armenians and states that "The analysis by the International Center for Transitional Justice (ICTJ), while not the final word, has made a significant contribution toward deepening our understanding of these Events." The ICTJ report, issued in 2003, reached the conclusion that: "The Events, viewed collectively, can thus be said to include all of the elements of the crime of genocide as defined in the Convention, and legal scholars as well as historians, politicians, journalists and other people would be justified in continuing to so describe them." The President's reference to ICTJ serves as an implicit acknowledgment of the Armenian Genocide. The Administration has clarified its policy on the crime of genocide and recently stated its views on the need to prevent its repetition. The President's National Security Strategy (NSS), which was released last month, notes that "the world needs to start honoring a principle that many believe has lost its force in parts of the international community in recent years: genocide must not be tolerated. It is a moral imperative that states take action to prevent and punish genocide. History teaches that sometimes other states will not act unless America does it part." "America did act in response to the first genocide of the twentieth century and Armenian-Americans are forever grateful for the leading role of the United States in attempting to stop the Armenian Genocide and for aiding those who survived," Hovnanian added. "It is now time for the U.S. to continue this proud chapter of American history and formally and irrevocably reaffirm the Armenian Genocide," he continued. "By so doing, the U.S. will articulate the same message it has already sent to the public - that genocide must not be tolerated." In his statement, the President also says that the U.S. applauds Armenia's democratic reforms and seeks to help bolster Armenia's security and deepen its inclusion in the Euro-Atlantic community. The President also encouraged a peaceful settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, adding "We remain committed to securing a peaceful and lasting settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and hope the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan will take bold steps to achieve this goal." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lev7 Posted April 24, 2006 Author Report Share Posted April 24, 2006 at least he aknowledges the 1.5 million number Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zartonk Posted April 25, 2006 Report Share Posted April 25, 2006 Right, and the definition is more accurate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Armenak Posted April 25, 2006 Report Share Posted April 25, 2006 Is it that hard to say it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gamavor Posted May 2, 2006 Report Share Posted May 2, 2006 If you read carefully the whole statement you would see that the President made some progress to the "G" word. "Mass killings and exile" are nothing but GENOCIDE. This year statement is more compationate. Laura also joins him in his grieve Compare this statement to the one of the previous year and even the year before and you will see the difference. Before, he was speaking of reconciliation and blah, blah... . Hopefully he realized that reconciliation includes admition of guilt. Not all Bush are bad! Read this! GOVERNOR OF FLORIDA RECOGNIZES THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE ArmRadio.am 02.05.2006 13:25 Jab Bush, Governor of Florida, US President George Bush's brother declared April 24th the day of commemoration of Genocide victims, Turkish "Hurriet" informs. According to the source, the Jab Bush issued an official statement saying, "Turks carried out genocide against Armenians." "1915-1923 Osman Turks subjected 1.5 million Armenians to mass assassination, who became victims of a genocide," the statement says. The source reminds that "the Governor of California Arnold Shwarzenegger declared a week of commemoration of Genocide victims in California, while President Bush has not been using the word "genocide" ever since undertaking his position, despite the great pressure." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vanetsi Posted May 2, 2006 Report Share Posted May 2, 2006 Alright Florida! And the number is at least 1.5 mil; no need for a recount. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sip Posted May 2, 2006 Report Share Posted May 2, 2006 Jab Bush? Jeb, Jab, and George? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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