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Secretary Clinton Refrains From Opposing The Armenian Genocide Resol

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  • Secretary Clinton Refrains From Opposing The Armenian Genocide Resol

    SECRETARY CLINTON REFRAINS FROM OPPOSING THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE RESOLUTION

    armradio.am
    26.02.2010 11:08

    Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, in response to a series of
    questions during her testimony before Congress, broke with the
    Department of State's long-standing pattern of aggressively opposing
    legislation recognizing the Armenian Genocide, reported the Armenian
    National Committee of America (ANCA).

    During her testimony before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on
    Foreign Operations, Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chair Mark Kirk
    (R-IL) noted Secretary Clinton's previous support for Armenian Genocide
    legislation in the Senate. Referring to the impending Committee vote
    on a similar resolution, H.Res.252, Rep. Kirk stated: "I hope we do
    that; and I hope the House of Representatives does that, and I hope
    you let that happen."

    Secretary Clinton responded, citing the ongoing Turkey-Armenia
    Protocols discussion and continued efforts by the Administration to
    urge their ratification, but remained silent on the resolution. In
    past years, previous administration's, both Democratic and Republican,
    have used every opportunity to seek to defeat such legislation.

    Armenian Genocide Resolution lead sponsor Adam Schiff (D-CA), during
    his questioning, stated, "I don't think the prospect of reconciliation,
    as much as I would like it to happen, should be used as a reason not
    to recognize the undeniable fact of the Armenian Genocide." He urged
    "the Administration's support on the legislation and at a minimum
    certainly not to get involved in opposing the legislation."

    Secretary Clinton offered her support for the Turkey-Armenia Protocols,
    but, once again, did not attack the Armenian Genocide Resolution
    in response to questions during an earlier hearing before the House
    Foreign Affairs Committee.

    "Secretary Clinton's remarks represent the third time in just the past
    few weeks that a senior Obama Administration official - in response to
    pointed questions about the Armenian Genocide Resolution - has chosen
    not to voice any opposition to the adoption of this genocide-prevention
    measure," said ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian. "The current
    Administration's conduct, at least to date, stands in stark contrast
    to past Administrations - both Democratic and Republican - that used
    every opportunity to score points with Ankara by attacking the broad,
    bipartisan Congressional majority that has long existed in support
    of U.S. condemnation and commemoration of the Armenian Genocide."

    Secretary Clinton appeared before both Committees to outline the
    fiscal year 2011 State Department foreign aid priorities. Foreign
    Affairs Committee member Brad Sherman (D-CA) praised the Obama
    Administration for increasing its assistance request for Armenia
    in 2011, but argued that "Congress should enhance that." He noted
    that while the Obama Administration had maintained parity in Foreign
    Military Financing assistance between Armenia and Azerbaijan, military
    training assistance was not balanced. He also called for a "specific
    aid request for Nagorno Karabagh." Secretary Clinton will have an
    opportunity to respond to his questions in writing.

    "We would like to thank Representatives Kirk, Schiff and Sherman
    for speaking out about Armenia foreign aid priorities and once again
    urging passage of the Armenian Genocide Resolution," stated Hamparian.

    "With the Foreign Affairs Committee set to vote on H.Res.252 and
    the foreign aid process in full gear, we are actively reaching out
    to our community expand our engagement with legislators from across
    the country."

    House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Howard Berman (D-CA) has
    scheduled a vote on the Armenian Genocide Resolution (H.Res.252)
    on March 4th. Over 137 House Members have cosponsored this measure,
    spearheaded by Representatives Schiff, George Radanovich (R-CA),
    and Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chairs Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and
    Mark Kirk (R-IL). A similar measure in the Senate (S.Res.316), led by
    Senators Bob Menendez (D-NJ) and John Ensign (R-NV) has 13 cosponsors.

    From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
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