PRESIDENT BUSH AGAIN RETREATS FROM PLEDGE TO RECOGNIZE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

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April 24, 2002

WASHINGTON, DC – Despite having heard in recent weeks from over 162 U.S. Representatives who had urged him to recognize the Armenian Genocide as a “genocide,” George W. Bush today, in his second April 24th statement as President, again broke his pledge to properly recognize the Armenian Genocide, reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).

In a statement issued today, on April 24th, the annual day of remembrance for the Armenian Genocide, the President again resorted to the use of evasive and euphemistic terminology to obscure the reality of Turkey’s Genocide against the Armenian people.

“Sadly, today again we witnessed the continuation of this Administration’s policy of complicity in the Turkish Government’s denial the Armenian Genocide,” said ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian. “While we appreciate the President taking the time to offer remarks on this solemn occasion, his support for Armenia’s security and independence, and interest in a resolution of regional conflict, we remain – as a community and a people – deeply troubled by his failure to speak openly and honestly about the Armenian Genocide.”

“We were particularly disappointed by the President’s use of terms such as ‘venomous patterns’ and ‘the dark cycle of hatred’ – which cloud the clear-cut moral issues at stake in Turkey’s genocide denials – at a time when he has called for ‘moral clarity’ in the conduct of our foreign affairs,” added Hamparian.

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For Immediate Release
Media Contact: Elizabeth S. Chouldjian
Armenian National Committee of America
888 17th Street, NW, Suite 904, Washington, DC 20006
Tel. (202) 775-1918 * Fax. (202) 775-5648 * Email.anca@anca.org