January 12, 2008 - 15:27 AMT
George Bush was reminded about Armenian Genocide
In Bethlehem, U.S. President George W. Bush was reminded about the Armenian Genocide.

After talks with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, Mr Bush attended Chapel of the Nativity of Christ and met with Primate of the Jerusalem Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church, Archbishop Aris Shirvanyan, who raised the issue of the Armenian Genocide.

The territory of Chapel of the Nativity of Christ is divided into three parts: the Armenian Apostolic Church, Roman Catholic Church and Greek Orthodox Church. Welcoming Pres. Bush on behalf of the AAC, Archbishop Shirvanyan reminded Mr Bush that Armenians were the first nation to adopt Christianity as state religion and requested the U.S. President to reconsider the Armenian Genocide recognition issue.

Mr Bush said he spoke about the issue with Turkish President and is thinking over it, RFE/RL reports.

George Bush launched his Middle East tour on January 10. After a visit to Israel he headed for Kuwait. Visits to Bahrain, the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Egypt are also scheduled.