WASHINGTON—On Sept. 21, President Obama issued a statement congratulating the Armenian people on the 20th anniversary of Armenia’s independence.
The following is the full text of the statement.
“On behalf of the American people, I want to extend my best wishes to all those who are celebrating Armenian National Day—in Armenia, in the United States and around the world. This 20th anniversary of independence, and Armenia’s achievements during this time, show the progress that is possible when people are free to determine their own destiny. Here in the United States, we are grateful for the Armenian Americans who enrich our national life every day and who help sustain the strong and growing relationship between our two countries.”
Statement by Clinton
A day earlier, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton issued a press statement on the same occasion. In her message, Clinton highlighted a commitment to poverty reduction, economic cooperation, and support for civil society groups, adding, “know that the United States is a partner and friend.”
Below is the full statement.
“On behalf of President Obama and the people of the United States, I am delighted to send best wishes to the people of Armenia as you celebrate the 20th anniversary of your Independence this September 21.
“The United States values our relationship with Armenia, rooted in mutual respect and interests. Together, we are working to reduce poverty, expand trade and investment, promote the work of civil society groups and broaden access to healthcare. As we celebrate the bonds between our two countries and honor Armenia’s rich cultural heritage, we reaffirm the commitment of the United States to strengthen the cooperation between our two countries.
“Whether you celebrate with family, friends or loved ones, know that the United States is a partner and friend. Congratulations and best wishes to all Armenians around the world for a peaceful and prosperous year to come.”
Secretary Clinton,” …know that the United States is a partner and a friend.”
Madam Secretary, A true friend recognizes the Armenian genocide.
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Dear President and State Secretary,
From the bottom of my heart, I thank You and the Great American Society for Your sincere and warm words. You should know that You are the only hope of the Armenian people to make democracy together with human rights work on the Little Land of Armenia. Because of violent and bloody crackdown of the Armenia’s authorities upon the unarmed population of the Armenian Society, the latter has lost its societal functions as well as its goals and mission. It was a mini-genocide or poqr yeghern organized by the Armenian authorities and strong structures against the striving society of Armenia. Without Your hands, Armenia is going to suffer a second Medz Yeghern to use President Obama’s international terminology. Let me also inform You both that the official translation of You congratulatory letters were translated the way as if You were congratulating personally the illegal President of Armenia.
Illegal president of Armenia?
Look Sam, I’m not taking sides here but common sense dictates that if foreign governments or dignitaries are conducting ‘business as usual’ with the current Yerevan government, then this government is considered the legitemate represantative of the Armenian people in Armenia. Look what happened to Ghadafi.
Regardless what you or Petrosyan bicker about, it is a fact Serj is your and Petrosyan’s president. Besides, what makes you so sure that the people in Armenia would re-elect Petrosyan for another term. Have you seen the videos of what ,Levon Ter-or Petrosyan, and his radical supporters have done to the country. Heck, the streets of Yerevan looked worst than streets of Beirut during Lebanese civil war. I guarantee you, people like , Ter-or Petrosyan’s, would be locked up in the slammer for life here in the good ole USA.
Petrosyan, has proven that he is not an effective leader. His radical steps against the ARF is a proof. He should stay the heck out of politics before he gets hurt.
Thank You, Mr. Jay. The illegality of Mr. Sarksyan is a fact. It is not a matter of analysis and/or proof. The Republic of Armenia needs open, just, free, and legal elections, in one word, democratic elections. Whoever is going to be elected, let it be so. Yerevan of the 1990s looked like after-war Beirut, because Armenians were fighting for their Karabakhis “brothers.”
Baron Samvel,
The riots in Yerevan, March of 2008, had nothing to do with Armenia’s open, free, just and democratic election process, nor it had anything to do with the Karabakh war. It was a simple act of hooliganism, orchestrated non other than ,Mr. Levon Ter-or Petrosyan, and had carried out by his radical thugs, in an attempt to force the resignation of DEMOCRATICALLY elected government. Don’t you people have any shame? These thugs have smeared the image of Armenia and the peaceful and nobel Armenian people throughout the world. Levon, is lucky he is roaming the streets of Yerevan free. Here,in the United States, he would be locked-up for life along with his thugs.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4CS1DTUeeM8
Thank you!
Have you no shame? Are you even Armenian?I doubt it…
‘Have you no shame? Are you even Armenian?I doubt it…’
Ani. are referring to Jay or Samvel: it is not clear.
Ani, like Avery, I am wondering, too, who you are addressing your comment.
Thank You Mr. Jay,
I understood that Mr. Jay is saying that the great Armenian People have no right to fight for their human rights.
Thank You again
i personally have not seen any decency in any of the last few leaders of Armenia… until one is produced, any President that have led (basically destroyed) the newly born Armenia will be considered people of self-interest… selfish, greedy and corrupt individuals…
Baron Samvel,
If you had watched the video you would have seen that, Petrosyan’s radicals, were fighting against the RIGHTS of the peaceful Armenia’s people.
The great Armenian people of Armenia went to the polling stations in, February of 2008 and DEMOCRATICALLY voted and elected a president of their choice, but ,Petrosyan, refusing to concede defeat to the date, is attempting unsuccessfuly to rob the rights of the Armenian people.
According to the final election results released by Armenia’s Central Electoral Commission on february 24th, 2008, the commission confirmed Sarkissyan’s victory with 52.82 percent of the vote, Petrosyan with 21.5 percent and Baghdasaryan (Rule of Law) with17.7 percent.
The ,OSCE and other Western countries, monitoring the elections had also confirmed the elections being largely free and fair. In addition, post-election poll conducted by , the Independent British populus opinion center, confirmed the Central Elections Commissions’ results giving Sarkissyan 53%, Petrosyan 20% and Baghdasaryan 13%of the vote.
As you have noticed, the results are Undeniably loud and clear. Now, how do you or the ANM figure that Petrosyan is the clear winner of the 2008 presidential election by garnishing only 20 percent of the vote to Sarkissyan’s 53 percent? I would most certainly appreciated it if you would please enlighten on this subject. Thanks.
I will, Mr. Jay! On the 24th of February, 2008 five candidates out of 7 have confirmed that the elections were rigged! You should have been informed about this simple fact before giving Your interpretation of the Armenian situation. Let me also brotherly explain to You that such a situation existed in Ottoman in 1907, eight years before Armenian-Muslim clashes that continued in form of Turkish state terrorism and ethnic cleansing of Armenians and other Christians 1915 through 1923 that Obama today calls Medz Yeghern and we call it Genocide.