    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2006, Book I)]
    [April 24, 2006]
    [Page 799]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Message on Armenian Remembrance Day
    April 24, 2006

        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

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