24
04, 2008

ADDRESS BY PRESIDENT SERZH SARKISSIAN ON THE DAY OF REMEMBRANCE OF THE VICTIMS OF THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

Dear Compatriots:

Today we pay tribute to the memory of the victims of the Armenian Genocide.

As a result of the state-conspired and carried out genocide in the Ottoman Turkey, a vast number of the Armenians were annihilated on their native land and lost their living space. At the time numerous cultural and material values, which the Armenian people had been creating for thousands of years, were destroyed and are being destroyed even today.

International recognition and condemnation of the Armenian Genocide is an appropriate and inevitable part of the Armenia’s foreign policy agenda. The Motherland of all Armenians – the Republic of Armenia – should double its efforts for the restoration of historic justice. When it comes to the genocide condemnation, the denial has no future, especially today, when many countries of the world have added their voices to the voice of truth.

Recognition and condemnation of the Armenian Genocide is not just an Armenian issue. Crime against humanity bears universal significance and reverberation and must receive a universal recognition. Our goals have nothing to do with animosity or revenge. While keeping the memory of the innocent victims alive, presently we are ready to establish normal relation with Turkey without any preconditions.

Dear Compatriots:

The preconditions and causes of the Armenian Genocide have been widely spoken and written about. Many new facts and analytical works are waiting to be published. However, one thing is absolutely clear: execution of such a crime became possible only in the absence of the Armenian state.

Today, on April 24 we must acutely realize the exceptional meaning of the Armenian state. The Armenian nation should develop and strengthen, embracing our state - the guarantor of our people’s security.

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