S. Sargsyan's speech at the National Cathedral in Washington

Yesterday, after visiting the tomb of the U.S. President Woodrow Wilson at the National Cathedral in Washington, the president of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan addressed the representatives of the Armenian community.

“Today we honored the tomb of U.S. President Woodrow Wilson, a man and a U.S. leader whom our nation remembers and will always remember as a real friend. President Wilson was a great politician, a politician whom an ancient nation, which lives on more than a thousand mile’s distance, keeps exalting and passing this exaltation generation to generation.”

“Support the Armenians for them not to suffer again,” it was by this words that, 90 years ago, the 28th U.S. President actually formulated the demand for international recognition of the Armenian Genocide, since it is by that recognition that the prevention of genocides and all the future sufferings will start. Today we bow our heads in front of the tomb of the president and report that after 95 years the issue of the Armenian Genocide, in many countries, organizations and political figures, including those in his homeland, continue to apply the logic of the covenant of Wilson. Armenia remembers and will remember every one name by name,” he continued.

“The Armenians of America, especially in the last decades became one of the most fervent links for the international recognition and condemnation of the Armenian Genocide, and I am sure that it will keep trying with multiplied efforts. Nobody can prevent what is inevitable. On the eve of signing of the Armenian – Turkish protocols some people were concerned that it will slacken or will temporally halt the steps of the international recognition of the Armenian Genocide. The time showed that those concerns are groundless and will stay groundless till we are all ready to put the utmost efforts, and are ready for a new fight,” president mentioned.

“During the last months we all witnessed the attempts of Turkey which was trying to split Armenia and the Armenian Diaspora, presenting the situation as if there are two different opinions in Armenia and Diaspora. Today we all together deny the false illusions. There is no difference in the opinions of the Armenians of Armenia and Armenians of Diaspora. There is only a unified Armenian nation and it will keep staying the owner of its just demand,” he stressed.

The President mentioned that Armenia is ready to normalize the relations with its neighbors, but will not accept any conditions.

“Our disposition was and is very clear. Turkey can’t speak in the language of preconditions with Armenia and the people of Armenia. We simply will not allow it. We are not going to make an issue of discussion the fact of the Genocide reality or pretend that we believe Turkey can play any positive role in the negotiation process of the NKR conflict settlement. Any new political course is tended to pass tests, for we pass through unbeaten paths. I am sure that Armenia will pass this exam with honor too,” the head of Armenia mentioned.

The president said that the Armenians of Diaspora are an important component of international political weight of Armenia.

“Both, our friends and all the others realize this. By your attitude and determination, you prove that all those calculations that the Armenians can be destroyed by being scattered all over the world were wrong. Every Armenian, no matter on which continent he is, should become the drop that erodes the stone. We are exactly on that path. The executioners of our people have left us no alternative. And we will prosper; we will break through the walls of indifference, cynicism and duplicity. We have enough patience faith and commitment for doing this” President Sargsyan mentioned in his statement.

"Let me conclude my speech with gratitude addressed to the country and the people who gave birth to such figures as Ambassador Morgenthau and President Wilson. The Armenian nation is strong and has the opportunity to express itself in the United States of America. This, of course, is your merit, but in addition to your services it is the merit of the American freedom. We are grateful to this great and powerful country, which today plays a significant role in the life of the Armenian people. God bless America, Armenia and the Armenian people ", said Sargsyan.