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ANKARA: Armenian group declares support for Kerry in prez run

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  • ANKARA: Armenian group declares support for Kerry in prez run

    ANKARA - Turkish Daily News
    5 August 2004

    Armenian group declares support for Kerry in presidential run

    * 'For Armenian Americans, the clear choice is John Kerry,' says Ken
    Hachikian, chairman of the hard-liner ANCA group. 'Senator Kerry has been a
    friend of the Armenian American community for over 20 years, with a proven
    track record of fighting hard for issues of concern to Armenian Americans
    across the nation'

    ANKARA - Turkish Daily News

    An Armenian association in the United States known for its hard-line
    opposition of Turkey and staunch position for recognition of the so-called
    Armenian genocide, has declared support for John Kerry, President George W.
    Bush's rival in the U.S. presidential race.

    A recent statement issued by the Armenian National Committee of America
    (ANCA) cited Kerry's "long record of support on Armenian American issues and
    President Bush's retreat from his pledge to recognize the Armenian genocide"
    for its decision to back the Democrat candidate.

    "For Armenian Americans, the clear choice is John Kerry," the statement
    quoted ANCA Chairman Ken Hachikian as saying. "Senator Kerry has been a
    friend of the Armenian American community for over 20 years, with a proven
    track record of fighting hard for issues of concern to Armenian Americans
    across the nation. He faces an incumbent, President Bush, whose record on
    Armenian issues has grown progressively more disappointing throughout his
    tenure in the White House," he went on to say.

    Kerry's overtures to Armenian groups are likely to cause Turkish Americans
    to become disenchanted with Kerry. E-mail messages circulating among members
    of the Turkish community were calling on Turkish voters not to vote for
    Kerry in the upcoming elections.

    Armenians claim 1.5 million of their ancestors were killed in 1915-1918 as
    part of a genocide campaign at the hands of the former Ottoman Empire.
    Turkey categorically denies the claims, saying the death toll was inflated
    and that the deaths occurred as the Ottoman Empire was trying to quell civil
    unrest.

    The parliaments of some 15 countries, including France, have labeled the
    20th-century events as "genocide," but the United States has so far
    refrained from doing so, largely thanks to past administrations' efforts. A
    resolution calling for the recognition of the alleged genocide was shelved
    at the last minute in 2000 after then President Bill Clinton intervened.

    Bush and Kerry are in close competition for the presidency in the run-up to
    the election slated for Nov. 2.

    Armenian news sites have credited Kerry with labeling the 1915-1918 events
    as "genocide" in a statement he issued on April 24, which Armenians say is
    the anniversary of the alleged genocide.

    "I join Armenian Americans and Armenians worldwide in mourning the victims
    of the Armenian Genocide and I call on the governments and people everywhere
    to formally recognize this tragedy," Kerry's statement carried by an
    Armenian Internet site, Armenian Assembly of America, said.

    Kerry welcomed the ANCA endorsement, stating, "John Edwards and I would like
    to thank ANCA for its endorsement. We are looking forward to working with
    all Armenian Americans to create a stronger America, more respected in the
    world."

    "We call upon Armenian Americans to compare the respective records of
    Senator Kerry and President Bush, to weigh the importance of their ballot
    for the future of U.S.-Armenian relations, and to cast their vote for the
    Kerry-Edwards ticket on Nov. 2nd," added Hachikian.

    ANCA praised Kerry for consistently being "a leading advocate of issues of
    concern to Armenian Americans." The statement said Kerry, as a U.S. senator,
    had forcefully fought for U.S. recognition of the alleged genocide.

    American Armenians were recently buoyed by a court decision last week
    ordering a U.S. insurance company to pay $20 million to the descendants of
    Armenians in the Ottoman Empire. The class action suit against New York Life
    Insurance involved thousands of policies sold in the empire between 1880 and
    1915, many of which were held by Armenians killed during the civil unrest.

    The legal agreement approved by U.S. District Court Judge Christina A.
    Snyder is believed to be the first ever in connection with the disputed
    event.
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