[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 42, Number 17 (Monday, May 1, 2006)]
[Pages 785-786]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
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

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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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