WASHINGTON, DC — Armenian Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian, in the latest of a series of steps in response to the worst terrorist attack ever on U.S. soil, has informed the Congressional Armenian Caucus of Armenia’s “complete solidarity and concrete cooperation” in bringing the perpetrators to justice and fighting the “evil of terrorism,” reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA.)

In a September 19th letter to Caucus Co-Chairmen Joe Knollenberg (R-MI) and Frank Pallone (D-NJ), Oskanian offered condolences to the Caucus, stating “There are no proper words of consolation to help alleviate the massive human loss and devastation, yet please accept our sympathies at this very difficult time.” Oskanian went on to pledge Armenian solidarity “with the government and people of the United States and the civilized nations of the world in trying to halt the use of such abhorrent means to achieve any end.”

Armenian President Robert Kocharian was one of the first world leaders to offer condolences and assistance to President Bush on the day of the tragedy. “The evil of terrorism has shown its ugly face and should be confronted with determination and resolve,” stated Kocharian in a September 11th letter to Pres. Bush. “Armenia joins the world in condemning this most deplorable and inhuman act of violence.”

According to an RFE/RL report, on September 19th, Armenian Defense Minister Serge Serzh Sarkissian indicated that Armenia would support U.S. military action against suspected terrorist camps in Afghanistan and other countries with ties to the September 11th attacks on New York and Washington. “Armenian cannot fail to support anti-terrorist actions. There is no question about it,” Sarkissian told reporters in Yerevan.

The full text of His Excellency Vartan Oskanian’s letter to the Congressional Armenian Caucus follows.