US PRESIDENT THINKS THAT "ARMENIA AND TURKEY MUST EXAMINE THEIR PAST TOGETHER"

PanARMENIAN.Net - 20.10.2000, MEDIAMAX, YEREVAN. "I am deeply concerned that consideration of the Armenian Resolution at this time could have far-reaching negative consequences for the United States," the letter by the US President Bill Clinton addressed to the Speaker of the House of Representatives reads.

On October 19 the Speaker of the House Dennis Hustert, who is considered an active supporter of adoption of the Armenian Resolution issued a special statement saying that he pulled the document on recognition of the Armenian Genocide off the agenda of the House. The Speaker informed that the reason for such a decision was the letter by the US President Clinton who said that the adoption of the Resolution "can have negative impact on the interests of national security of the United States."

"Every year on April 24, I have commemorated Armenian Remembrance Day, mourning the deportations and massacres of innocent Armenians during that era. However, the US has significant interests in this troubled region of the world and consideration of the resolution at this sensitive time will negatively affect those interests and could undermine efforts to encourage improved relations between Armenia and Turkey," the US President said.

"I fully understand how strongly both Turkey and Armenia feel about this issue. Ultimately, this painful matter can only be resolved by both sides examining the past together. I urge you in the strongest terms not to bring this Resolution to the floor at this time," Clinton's letter reads. --0--