[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 66 (Monday, April 24, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5565-S5566]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


      COMMEMORATING THE 80TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

  Mr. KENNEDY. Mr. President, today marks the 80th anniversary of one 
of the most tragic events in world history--the genocide that brought 
death 
[[Page S5566]] to more than 1\1/2\ million Armenian men, women, and 
children at the hands of the Ottoman Empire. As we honor the memory of 
these individuals, we renew our commitment that the world will never 
forget their tragic suffering.
  Between 1915 and 1923, officials of the Ottoman Empire carried out a 
systematic campaign to eradicate all Armenians. Innocent Armenians were 
murdered and those who survived were forced to flee their homeland and 
live in exile. Many of the survivors later made their way to the United 
States.
  The campaign of genocide began with the execution of the Armenian 
leadership and proceeded with the targeting of the entire male 
population. It continued with the persecution of Armenian women, 
children, and the elderly, who were sent on forced death marches to be 
raped, tortured, and murdered. During this brutal 8-year period, over 
1\1/2\ million Armenians died through massacres, disease, and 
starvation.
  Unfortunately, even today, the Armenian people face continued 
violence and ethnic hatred. Since 1988, the conflict between Christian 
Armenians and Moslem Azerbaijanis for control of Nagorno-Karabakh has 
resulted in over 10,000 deaths and almost 1\1/2\ million refugees. 
Despite the May 1994 cease-fire and the armistice agreement signed the 
following month, a permanent solution to the conflict has yet to be 
found.
  The United States has provided substantial humanitarian assistance to 
Armenia, but it has become increasingly difficult to deliver this 
assistance because of the continuing blockade by the Governments of 
Azerbaijan and Turkey. As a result, Armenia suffers from a long-
standing shortage of food, fuel, and medical supplies. We need to 
redouble our efforts to end the current crisis and promote peaceful 
development of the region.
  I commend the tireless efforts of the Armenian-Americans for their 
efforts to promote a peaceful solution to the conflict, and for keeping 
their Armenian heritage alive in the United States.
  As we commemorate and honor the victims of the Armenian genocide, we 
renew our commitment to combat ethnic hatred and to end injustice and 
conflicts throughout the world.


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