REQUEST FOR PRESIDENTIAL MESSAGE TO COMMEMORATE

UNCLAS YEREVAN 000928

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL OPDC OPRC KPAO AM
SUBJECT: REQUEST FOR PRESIDENTIAL MESSAGE TO COMMEMORATE
20TH ANNIVERSARY OF ARMENIAN EARTHQUAKE


1. This is an action message. See paragraph 4.


2. On December 7, 1988, a magnitude 6.9 earthquake struck
northern Armenia, collapsing hundreds of poorly constructed
buildings and killing an estimated 25,000 people, and leaving
tens of thousands homeless just as a bitter . Among the
victims were thousands of schoolchildren whose
badly-constructed school buildings collapsed on top of them.
The earthquake leveled the town of Spitak, caused massive
damage in the nearby cities of Leninakan (now Gyumri) and
Kirovakan (now Vanadzor),and numerous surrounding towns and
villages. The event was a searing national tragedy, from
which northern Armenia has not yet really recovered.


3. For the first time, the Soviet Union accepted U.S. and
international offers of disaster relief aid, and this became
the de facto beginning of the U.S.-Armenia bilateral
relationship. President Reagan's outgoing Administration
dispatched rescue squads from Fairfax County, Virgina, and
Miami-Dade County, Florida, to assist in the search for
survivors in the collapsed buildings, and USAID/OFDA sent a
disaster relief team to provide urgent humanitarian
assistance, in cooperation with other international donors.
The Administration also sent Vice President/President-elect
George H.W. Bush's son Jeb Bush to Armenia, accompanied by
his young son George P. Bush, as a special presidential envoy
in honor of the tragic deaths. The Armenian-American
community was galvanized to raise funds and procure tons of
relief supplies, for which the U.S. Government was able to
provide airlift.


4. ACTION REQUEST: The 20th anniversary of the
Spitak/Leninakan (Gyumri) earthquake will be a very
high-profile opportunity to express sympathy and solidarity
with the Armenian people on the occasion of a massive
national tragedy. Post recommends that the President issue a
message to commemorate the 20th anniversary, for posting to
the White House website. The Embassy will then distribute
the presidential statement (with an Armenian translation) as
an embassy press release, which we expect would garner
national media attention and be very favorably received by
the Armenian people, both at home and in the worldwide
Diaspora.


5. PROPOSED TEXT OF PRESIDENTIAL STATEMENT:

Today marks the 20th anniversary of the devasting earthquake
which ravaged northern Armenia on December 7, 1988. That
terrible earthquake took the lives of some 25,000 Armenians,
including thousands of children. This national catastrophe
also left many thousands of people without homes, at the
outset of a bitterly cold winter, creating terrible hardship
for survivors grieving the loss of their loved ones.
Americans join all Armenians in remembering this time of
national tragedy and in honoring those whose lives were lost.

The birth of the modern relationship between the United
States and the soon-to-be independent Republic of Armenia
came in the aftermath of this disaster. A distinguishing
quality of the human spirit is the fact that at such a time
of suffering and loss, people from around the world put aside
political disagreements for the higher purpose of rescuing
and protecting those who are in need. I am proud that the
United States was quick to respond to Armenia's need, working
in partnership with the Armenian people and with other
nations likewise supplying help. I'm especially proud of
America's Armenian community, who exemplified the finest
aspects of both American and Armenian character, and rallied
to provide great help to their ancestral homeland.

I honor the courage and spirit of the Armenian people, who
faced such grave challenges with grace, dignity, resilience,
and national purpose. On this 20th anniversary, Laura and I
express our sincere condolences and best wishes to Armenia as
you remember the loved ones you have lost and the hardships
you have overcome.
YOVANOVITCH