28.09.2000, MEDIAMAX, YEREVAN. "The resolution of recognizing the Armenian Genocide of 1915 is a very important issue", stated US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright speaking in U.S. Congress on September 27.
"President Clinton has traditionally commemorated Armenian Remembrance Day on April 24th by issuing a statement that recognized the loss of huge numbers of innocent Armenian lives in 1915. And he has challenged all Americans to ensure that such events never occur again. We've emphasized to both Turkey and Armenia that we can neither deny history nor forget it and we need to come to terms with it.
But the legislative measures, such as this one, can hurt our efforts to encourage improved relations between Armenia and Turkey. And this can't help promote peace and security in the region. I have to tell you, frankly, that passage could also undermine U.S. national interests in which Turkey is a partner; not just bilateral relations with a NATO ally, but also Turkey's cooperation on the Cyprus talks and the Nagorno Karabakh process and Iraq. So I think that it is very important that this resolution not go forward", stated Madeleine Albright. -0-