Obama describes events of 1915 as tragedy

The tragic events in the Ottoman Empire in 1915, which killed a large number of living on its territory Armenians" are the first massacre the 20th century," US President Barack Obama said.

He called their 100-year anniversary "a solemn moment". "It calls on us to reflect on the importance of historical remembrance, and the difficult but necessary work of reckoning with the past," RIA Novosti cited the President.The head of the White House stressed that he has "consistently stated his own view of what occurred in 1915, and this position has not changed." "A full acknowledgement of the facts is in all our interests," Obama said.In his statement, he noted the unity of the American and Armenian peoples, recalling that "ordinary American citizens raised millions of dollars to support suffering Armenian children, and the US Congress chartered the Near East Relief organization, a pioneer in the field of international humanitarian relief."

He called their 100-year anniversary "a solemn moment". "It calls on us to reflect on the importance of historical remembrance, and the difficult but necessary work of reckoning with the past," RIA Novosti cited the President.

The head of the White House stressed that he has "consistently stated his own view of what occurred in 1915, and this position has not changed." "A full acknowledgement of the facts is in all our interests," Obama said.

In his statement, he noted the unity of the American and Armenian peoples, recalling that "ordinary American citizens raised millions of dollars to support suffering Armenian children, and the US Congress chartered the Near East Relief organization, a pioneer in the field of international humanitarian relief."

"Thousands of Armenian refugees began new lives in the United States, where they formed a strong and vibrant community and became pillars of American society," the US president said.