March 6, 2007 - 13:39 AMT
Bill Gates did not call upon Bush to pressure on Armenian Genocide recognition
Bill Gates has not signed any letter on behalf of 100 American businessmen to the U.S. President George Bush calling him upon to put pressure on Congress to not recognize the Armenian Genocide, the head of Microsoft Armenian branch Grigor Barseghyan told the PanARMENIAN.Net journalist. "Microsoft Corporation and its chairman, Bill Gates, were not aware that any such letter existed and cannot comment as to its contents, origin, purpose or signatories," Grigor Barseghyan stated.

Turkish Daily News reported that 100 U.S. business leaders wrote a letter to President George W. Bush saying, "recognizing Armenian Genocide could be a disaster for the United States." The world's richest businessmen Bill Gates and Warren Buffet also signed the letter. The letter, which went to Congress, says, "If the Armenian claims of genocide are approved by Congress, U.S. trade will be badly hurt. It must not be recognized." Recognition would have a negative effect, said the business leaders, adding that it will hinder reconciliation efforts between Armenia and Turkey.