    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2005, Book I)]
    [April 24, 2005]
    [Pages 658-659]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on Armenian Remembrance Day
    April 24, 2005

        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

    [[Page 659]]

    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.