Cyprus-Forum.com

[Lit]

Obama cites `devastating chapter' in Armenia past

The Associated Press
Saturday, April 24, 2010; 11:35 AM

ASHEVILLE, N.C. -- President Barack Obama calls it "one of the worst atrocities" of the 20th century - the mass killings of Armenians by Ottoman Turks around the time of World War I.

Full story:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/co ... 01024.html

[Lit]

http://www.politico.com/blogs/lauraroze ... ml?showall

April 24, 2010

Obama on Armenian Remembrance Day: "One of worst atrocities in 20th century"

Calling it one of the worst atrocities of the 20th century, President Barack Obama observed the 95th anniversary of Armenian Remembrance Day in remarks Saturday, but avoided calling the Ottoman era killing of 1.5 million Armenians genocide.

"On this solemn day of remembrance, we pause to recall that ninety-five years ago one of the worst atrocities of the 20th century began," Obama said in a statement. "In that dark moment of history, 1.5 million Armenians were massacred or marched to their death in the final days of the Ottoman Empire."

"The Meds Yeghern is a devastating chapter in the history of the Armenian people, and we must keep its memory alive in honor of those who were murdered and so that we do not repeat the grave mistakes of the past," he said. "I salute the Turks who saved Armenians in 1915 and am encouraged by the dialogue among Turks and Armenians, and within Turkey itself, regarding this painful history. Together, the Turkish and Armenian people will be stronger as they acknowledge their common history and recognize their common humanity."

"Today, we pause with them and with Armenians everywhere to remember the awful events of 1915 with deep admiration for their contributions which transcend this dark past and give us hope for the future," he concluded.