Serzh Sargsyan Sends Letter to Joe Biden Expressing Gratitude for Recognizing the Armenian Genocide

The third President of Armenia, Serzh Sargsyan, has sent a letter to U.S. President Joe Biden expressing gratitude for officially recognizing and condemning the Armenian Genocide in his April 24th address.

In the letter, Sargsyan writes: "Your Excellency, I was greatly inspired by your April 24th address. I fondly remember our meeting in 2015 when you, as Vice President of the United States, participated in an interfaith prayer at the National Cathedral in Washington dedicated to the memory of the victims of the Armenian Genocide. It was particularly touching to see you wearing the forget-me-not flower, a symbol of the commemoration of the Armenian Genocide. By a twist of fate, six years later, as the 46th President of the United States, you recognized the Armenian Genocide, remaining true to your commitment to the primacy of human rights and your electoral promise. Until now, you have consistently spoken and fought against this historical injustice, embodying the spirit of the resolute struggle of American Armenians and their descendants, who have made immense contributions to shaping a comprehensive understanding of the Armenian Genocide and reparations in American society and political elite.

Today, as the Armenian people face new bloody challenges of unpunished denial and intolerance in another part of their historical homeland—Artsakh—it is extremely important to protect the guaranteed right of the Armenian people to a dignified and peaceful life in their homeland. Your recognition of the Armenian Genocide not only provided a fair and clear assessment of historical realities and undeniable facts—justifying the expectations of millions of American Armenians and the 10 million Armenians worldwide who have been scattered due to that very genocide for 106 years—but also took an important step in emphasizing the commitment of states to prevent and eradicate the crime of genocide against humanity. Please accept, Your Excellency, the assurance of my highest respect."