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Armenian National Committee of America
1711 N Street, NW
Washington, DC 20036
Tel. (202) 775-1918
Fax. (202) 775-5648
[email protected]
Internet www.anca.org
PRESS RELEASE
November 13, 2007
Contact: Elizabeth S. Chouldjian
Tel: (202) 775-1918
COHEN AND ALBRIGHT GRILLED ON HYPOCRISY OF
OPPOSING ARMENIAN GENOCIDE RECOGNITION WHILE
LEADING NEW GENOCIDE PREVENTION EFFORT
-- Former Secretaries of Defense and State
Face Tough Questioning During Launch
of Genocide Prevention Task Force
-- CNN, AP, AFP Cover Controversy
WASHINGTON, DC - The credibility of former Secretary of State
Madeleine Albright and former Secretary of Defense William Cohen in
leading a newly launched genocide prevention initiative was called
into question, today, by reporters who cited their ongoing efforts
to block Congressional reaffirmation of the Armenian Genocide
(H.Res.106 / S.Res.106), reported the Armenian National Committee
of America (ANCA).
"Sadly, the Genocide Prevention Task Force's worthwhile efforts to
build consensus for an unconditional stand against genocide as a
core U.S. foreign policy priority are undermined right out of the
box by the fact that its leading figures, Madeleine Albright and
William Cohen, are today actively and publicly working to block
American recognition of the Armenian Genocide," stated ANCA
Executive Director Aram Hamparian.
Secretaries Cohen and Albright were keynote speakers at a National
Press Club press conference hosted this morning by the U.S.
Holocaust Museum and Memorial, U.S. Institute for Peace, and
American Academy of Diplomacy, to announce the formation of the
Genocide Prevention Task Force, which the two will co-chair.
In response to questions raised by Hamparian and reporters from
media outlets including Asbarez, the Armenian Weekly, and the
Armenian Reporter, the two former secretaries were largely evasive,
and consistently used euphemistic language to avoid proper
reference to the Armenian Genocide.
"There are no absolutes in this," explained Secretary Cohen,
referring to U.S. action against genocide. "There is an element of
pragmatism... I think anyone serving in public office necessarily
has to have a set of balancing factors to take into account."
Secretary Albright stressed that taking action on genocide is a
difficult decision. "These are issues people have talked about a
long time and they may come out in statements and then, ultimately,
when you're in the government (as we both have been) and you have
to make very tough decisions, you have to look at the overall
picture. I think we have to admit that. Otherwise, we're not
going to get off the ground here. These are very, very hard
issues."
"Secretaries Albright and Cohen can't have it both ways. Either
they stand unconditionally against all genocides all the time, or,
by choosing to only raise their voices when it's convenient, they
surrender their moral standing on this, the core human rights and
humanitarian issue of our time," commented Hamparian.
In a September 25th letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, former
Secretary of State Madeleine Albright opposed Congressional
consideration of the Armenian Genocide Resolution (H.Res.106). A
similar letter was sent by former Secretary of Defense William
Cohen on September 7th.
Both letters may be found on the ANCA website at:
http://www.anca.org/assets/pdf/misc/albright_c ohen_106.pdf
H.Res.106, introduced by Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) with lead
supporters George Radanovich (R-CA), Congressional Armenian Caucus
Co-Chairs Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and Joe Knollenberg (R-MI), Brad
Sherman (D-CA) and Anna Eshoo (D-CA), currently has over 200
cosponsors.
On October 10th, the House Foreign Affairs Committee adopted the
resolution, which calls on U.S. foreign policy to properly reflect
the genocide of over 1.5 million Armenian men, women and children
>From 1915-1923 in Ottoman Turkey. A similar measure in the Senate,
led by Deputy Majority Leader Richard Durbin (D-IL) and John Ensign
(R-NV), has 33 cosponsors. The House measure is expected to come
to a floor vote later in 2007 or 2008.
To read more about the Genocide Prevention Task Force, visit the
U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum website at
www.ushmm.org/conscience/taskforce/press/?conte nt07-11-13
For Additional News Coverage, visit:
Associated Press: Former officials to recommend how U.S. can
prevent genocide
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/11/13 /america/NA-GEN-US-Genocide-Task-Force.php
Agence -France Presse: US grandees launch mission to avert new
genocides
http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5 iR1ayWYY6hwjdJI1Gwe8-2YyELhA
CNN: Ex-Cabinet officials to co-chair task force to prevent
genocide
http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/ 11/13/genocide.taskforce/index.html
NOTE TO THE EDITOR: Photos available upon request
#####
Excerpts from the Press Conference Announcing the Genocide
Prevention Task Force with Former Secretary of State Madeleine
Albright and former Secretary of Defense William Cohen
National Press Club
November 13, 2007
Q: Aram Hamparian (ANCA / Armenian Weekly)
How do you reconcile your work in trying to build a moral American
sentiment, an unconditional consensus against genocide, when just
very recently both of you signed letters urging America not to
recognize the Armenian Genocide?
[5 second pause]
A: Secretary Madeleine Albright
Well, first of all, I think that this commission is basically about
the future, as we both said. We want to look at ways to try to
prevent genocide and mass killings. That is the purpose of this
commission. And I also think that every former Secretary of State
and the [current] Secretary of State recognized terrible things
happened to the Armenians - a tragedy. The letter was primarily
about whether this was an appropriate time to raise the issue.
A: Secretary William Cohen
First of all, it wasn't a tough question, it was a good question
and it's one that we should address head on. The fact is that all
the former Secretaries of State, former Secretaries of Defense were
concerned about the human suffering that took place between 1915
and 1923. It was also a very deliberate decision to say that we
are engaged in warfare at the moment. That we have our sons and
daughters who are at great risk and that we felt that to have the
resolution brought before the full floor might result in reactions
on the part of the Turkish government that could place our sons and
daughters in greater jeopardy. So it was a very practical decision
that was made. This is not to say that we overlooked what took
place in the past and, in any way, are absolving anyone from what
took place in the past. But, rather, to say that we can look back
and have some lessons learned but say from this point forward, what
do we do? How do we marshal public opinion? How do we marshal
political action? How do we generate the will to take action in a
society that has been reluctant to do so in the past? . . . This is
the way that will preclude things that have taken place in the past
>From taking place in the future.
Q: Elizabeth Chouldjian (ANCA/Asbarez Armenian News Service):
If we're saying that this isn't the right time to acknowledge the
Armenian Genocide, does that mean that you're essentially arguing
that for political expediency purposes we shouldn't be taking
action on future genocides because of what it could mean to U.S.
interests?
A: Secretary Cohen
We're saying there are no absolutes in this. We are going to try
to set forth a set of principles that will serve as a guide and
hopefully that guide will allow political leadership in this
country and elsewhere. This is not something where the United
States is advocating unilateral action. What we're talking about
is the United States taking a lead in helping shape public opinion,
certainly domestically but also internationally. That will involve
multiple considerations, multiple political factors that have to be
taken into account. What we're saying is that this is an endeavor
that's worthwhile, we intend to pursue it, and hopefully we'll be
successful in preventing mass killings and genocides in the future
as a result.
A: Secretary Albright
I also do think that it's very important to recognize the fact that
even if terrible things happened in the past they do not need to
happen in the future. And that is what this is about. In no way
does it put a house keeping seal of approval on anybody's behavior.
Q: Reporter [name unknown]
It sounds as if both of you are saying that 'if our friends do it,
it's not genocide, if our enemies do it, it is genocide,' with
relation to the Armenian Genocide. So, for example, a professor at
the University of Haifa in Israel, Ivan says he believes a genocide
is ongoing in Gaza and ethnic cleansing in the West Bank. But you
folks wouldn't agree with that because Israel is our friend and,
therefore, we couldn't say that about Israel. And we can't say
that - I just heard you Secretary Cohen, if I could summarize,
state - we can't say that about Turkey and the Armenian Genocide
because 'our boys and girls are in harm's way.' So if we're going
to define genocide by who does and not by what it is, I think your
commission is in trouble.
A: Secretary Cohen
Well I don't think either one of us have made that statement. I
don't know that the UN has declared that genocide occurred in the
Armenian situation. So, we're trying to look forward rather than
backwards and the issue of whether genocide is taking place in the
West Bank or in Gaza certainly will be part of the task force
looking at that as well.
There is an element of pragmatism. If someone else's son or
daughter is in harm's way, that's a factor that I, as an American
citizen, and I, as a former Secretary of Defense, have to take into
account, and would. I think anyone serving in public office
necessarily has to have a set of balancing factors to take into
account.
It's not an absolute. This will not be a document that says, 'this
is when the line is crossed and this is the action we will take.'
These are going to be guidelines. I think they, in themselves,
will serve a very valuable purpose because it will help to at least
raise the issue to a level of both domestic and international
concern. Hopefully stirring action that will prevent them from
taking place. That is our goal.
A: Secretary Albright
Let me just speak to this because I think that you have pointed out
why this is difficult. These are issues people have talked about a
long time and they may come out in statements and then, ultimately,
when you're in the government (as we both have been) and you have
to make very tough decisions, you have to look at the overall
picture. I think we have to admit that. Otherwise, we're not
going to get off the ground here. These are very, very hard
issues.
I definitely would not accept your definition that if friends do it
it's okay, if enemies do it it's not. I find that just an
unacceptable premise. I do think that it is very important to keep
in mind what this task force is going to do. It is going to set
forth guidelines for practical action by, primarily, the United
States government. Which is why we want to present it by the end
of next year. And the point here is, and I've been in enough
discussions where you can have all kinds of emotional arguments
about why something is wrong and then you never get it off the
ground, because you ultimately have to take practical action. And
that is what's happening in the United States about Darfur at the
moment, where people need practical steps in order to deal with
that. And that is what this task force is going to do. We're not
going to, I hope, get ourselves into emotional appeals because that
does not work.
Q: Nareg Seferian (Armenian Reporter)
As has been previously mentioned, the two of you have personally
worked towards ensuring that the United States government does not
take a stand recognizing the Armenian Genocide . . . How can you
provide credibility that your recommendation will be of practical
use to the United States in its foreign policy and will not be just
words on a piece of paper that will be acceptable, but which the US
will not follow up on because it's simply not politically
expedient?
A: Secretary Cohen
You talk about political expediency. As Secretary of Defense, I
had responsibility for every man and woman who is serving in our
armed forces. And, yes, I would have to take into account whether
or not I was placing them in greater jeopardy in order to go back
and make a declaration about something that happened back in 1915
and 1923. I would have to weigh that. Frankly, I think the former
Secretaries of Defense, Republican and Democrat alike, all came to
the same conclusion: we would not put our men and women in greater
danger under these circumstances. Now, does that mean that we are
not in a position to look forward in saying, 'here are some of the
things that have happened in the past, here are some of the things
we did not do in the past, here are some things we think need to be
done in the future.' And future leaders will have to take into
account the same sort of moral considerations. There is no
absolute right or wrong. It's not all black and white. We're
going to have to take these into account. You as a private
citizen, will be in a position to say, 'Here is a document issued
by this esteemed group. What do you Mr. President, what do you Mr.
Secretary intend to do about atrocities currently taking place in x
country?'
... So I think that we are certainly in a position, having dealt
with ethnic cleansing in the past, to take that experience as well
as what took place in Armenia, as well as what took place in
Rwanda, now in Darfur, and say, 'this is how we have to move in the
future.'
A: Secretary Albright
Let me also say, I think it's important that you know what we
actually meant in the letter and I think that all the former
Secretaries, in fact, while we were Secretaries recognized that
mass killings and forced exile had taken place. And that we also
said that the US policy has been, all along, for reconciliation
between Turkey and Armenia on this particular issue. I do think
that one of the things this task force will ultimately recommend is
that the parties to the problem have to acknowledge what happened
and I think that is part of what the issue is. . . We are trying to
put this within a context that will make practical activity at the
time something that the US government can undertake. There is not
one answer to it all. And that is one of the things we are going
to be looking at. I honestly think that is essential that we make
clear that this task force is about the future, about preventing
genocide and also looking at what the circumstances are.
#####
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
1711 N Street, NW
Washington, DC 20036
Tel. (202) 775-1918
Fax. (202) 775-5648
[email protected]
Internet www.anca.org
PRESS RELEASE
November 13, 2007
Contact: Elizabeth S. Chouldjian
Tel: (202) 775-1918
COHEN AND ALBRIGHT GRILLED ON HYPOCRISY OF
OPPOSING ARMENIAN GENOCIDE RECOGNITION WHILE
LEADING NEW GENOCIDE PREVENTION EFFORT
-- Former Secretaries of Defense and State
Face Tough Questioning During Launch
of Genocide Prevention Task Force
-- CNN, AP, AFP Cover Controversy
WASHINGTON, DC - The credibility of former Secretary of State
Madeleine Albright and former Secretary of Defense William Cohen in
leading a newly launched genocide prevention initiative was called
into question, today, by reporters who cited their ongoing efforts
to block Congressional reaffirmation of the Armenian Genocide
(H.Res.106 / S.Res.106), reported the Armenian National Committee
of America (ANCA).
"Sadly, the Genocide Prevention Task Force's worthwhile efforts to
build consensus for an unconditional stand against genocide as a
core U.S. foreign policy priority are undermined right out of the
box by the fact that its leading figures, Madeleine Albright and
William Cohen, are today actively and publicly working to block
American recognition of the Armenian Genocide," stated ANCA
Executive Director Aram Hamparian.
Secretaries Cohen and Albright were keynote speakers at a National
Press Club press conference hosted this morning by the U.S.
Holocaust Museum and Memorial, U.S. Institute for Peace, and
American Academy of Diplomacy, to announce the formation of the
Genocide Prevention Task Force, which the two will co-chair.
In response to questions raised by Hamparian and reporters from
media outlets including Asbarez, the Armenian Weekly, and the
Armenian Reporter, the two former secretaries were largely evasive,
and consistently used euphemistic language to avoid proper
reference to the Armenian Genocide.
"There are no absolutes in this," explained Secretary Cohen,
referring to U.S. action against genocide. "There is an element of
pragmatism... I think anyone serving in public office necessarily
has to have a set of balancing factors to take into account."
Secretary Albright stressed that taking action on genocide is a
difficult decision. "These are issues people have talked about a
long time and they may come out in statements and then, ultimately,
when you're in the government (as we both have been) and you have
to make very tough decisions, you have to look at the overall
picture. I think we have to admit that. Otherwise, we're not
going to get off the ground here. These are very, very hard
issues."
"Secretaries Albright and Cohen can't have it both ways. Either
they stand unconditionally against all genocides all the time, or,
by choosing to only raise their voices when it's convenient, they
surrender their moral standing on this, the core human rights and
humanitarian issue of our time," commented Hamparian.
In a September 25th letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, former
Secretary of State Madeleine Albright opposed Congressional
consideration of the Armenian Genocide Resolution (H.Res.106). A
similar letter was sent by former Secretary of Defense William
Cohen on September 7th.
Both letters may be found on the ANCA website at:
http://www.anca.org/assets/pdf/misc/albright_c ohen_106.pdf
H.Res.106, introduced by Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) with lead
supporters George Radanovich (R-CA), Congressional Armenian Caucus
Co-Chairs Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and Joe Knollenberg (R-MI), Brad
Sherman (D-CA) and Anna Eshoo (D-CA), currently has over 200
cosponsors.
On October 10th, the House Foreign Affairs Committee adopted the
resolution, which calls on U.S. foreign policy to properly reflect
the genocide of over 1.5 million Armenian men, women and children
>From 1915-1923 in Ottoman Turkey. A similar measure in the Senate,
led by Deputy Majority Leader Richard Durbin (D-IL) and John Ensign
(R-NV), has 33 cosponsors. The House measure is expected to come
to a floor vote later in 2007 or 2008.
To read more about the Genocide Prevention Task Force, visit the
U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum website at
www.ushmm.org/conscience/taskforce/press/?conte nt07-11-13
For Additional News Coverage, visit:
Associated Press: Former officials to recommend how U.S. can
prevent genocide
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/11/13 /america/NA-GEN-US-Genocide-Task-Force.php
Agence -France Presse: US grandees launch mission to avert new
genocides
http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5 iR1ayWYY6hwjdJI1Gwe8-2YyELhA
CNN: Ex-Cabinet officials to co-chair task force to prevent
genocide
http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/ 11/13/genocide.taskforce/index.html
NOTE TO THE EDITOR: Photos available upon request
#####
Excerpts from the Press Conference Announcing the Genocide
Prevention Task Force with Former Secretary of State Madeleine
Albright and former Secretary of Defense William Cohen
National Press Club
November 13, 2007
Q: Aram Hamparian (ANCA / Armenian Weekly)
How do you reconcile your work in trying to build a moral American
sentiment, an unconditional consensus against genocide, when just
very recently both of you signed letters urging America not to
recognize the Armenian Genocide?
[5 second pause]
A: Secretary Madeleine Albright
Well, first of all, I think that this commission is basically about
the future, as we both said. We want to look at ways to try to
prevent genocide and mass killings. That is the purpose of this
commission. And I also think that every former Secretary of State
and the [current] Secretary of State recognized terrible things
happened to the Armenians - a tragedy. The letter was primarily
about whether this was an appropriate time to raise the issue.
A: Secretary William Cohen
First of all, it wasn't a tough question, it was a good question
and it's one that we should address head on. The fact is that all
the former Secretaries of State, former Secretaries of Defense were
concerned about the human suffering that took place between 1915
and 1923. It was also a very deliberate decision to say that we
are engaged in warfare at the moment. That we have our sons and
daughters who are at great risk and that we felt that to have the
resolution brought before the full floor might result in reactions
on the part of the Turkish government that could place our sons and
daughters in greater jeopardy. So it was a very practical decision
that was made. This is not to say that we overlooked what took
place in the past and, in any way, are absolving anyone from what
took place in the past. But, rather, to say that we can look back
and have some lessons learned but say from this point forward, what
do we do? How do we marshal public opinion? How do we marshal
political action? How do we generate the will to take action in a
society that has been reluctant to do so in the past? . . . This is
the way that will preclude things that have taken place in the past
>From taking place in the future.
Q: Elizabeth Chouldjian (ANCA/Asbarez Armenian News Service):
If we're saying that this isn't the right time to acknowledge the
Armenian Genocide, does that mean that you're essentially arguing
that for political expediency purposes we shouldn't be taking
action on future genocides because of what it could mean to U.S.
interests?
A: Secretary Cohen
We're saying there are no absolutes in this. We are going to try
to set forth a set of principles that will serve as a guide and
hopefully that guide will allow political leadership in this
country and elsewhere. This is not something where the United
States is advocating unilateral action. What we're talking about
is the United States taking a lead in helping shape public opinion,
certainly domestically but also internationally. That will involve
multiple considerations, multiple political factors that have to be
taken into account. What we're saying is that this is an endeavor
that's worthwhile, we intend to pursue it, and hopefully we'll be
successful in preventing mass killings and genocides in the future
as a result.
A: Secretary Albright
I also do think that it's very important to recognize the fact that
even if terrible things happened in the past they do not need to
happen in the future. And that is what this is about. In no way
does it put a house keeping seal of approval on anybody's behavior.
Q: Reporter [name unknown]
It sounds as if both of you are saying that 'if our friends do it,
it's not genocide, if our enemies do it, it is genocide,' with
relation to the Armenian Genocide. So, for example, a professor at
the University of Haifa in Israel, Ivan says he believes a genocide
is ongoing in Gaza and ethnic cleansing in the West Bank. But you
folks wouldn't agree with that because Israel is our friend and,
therefore, we couldn't say that about Israel. And we can't say
that - I just heard you Secretary Cohen, if I could summarize,
state - we can't say that about Turkey and the Armenian Genocide
because 'our boys and girls are in harm's way.' So if we're going
to define genocide by who does and not by what it is, I think your
commission is in trouble.
A: Secretary Cohen
Well I don't think either one of us have made that statement. I
don't know that the UN has declared that genocide occurred in the
Armenian situation. So, we're trying to look forward rather than
backwards and the issue of whether genocide is taking place in the
West Bank or in Gaza certainly will be part of the task force
looking at that as well.
There is an element of pragmatism. If someone else's son or
daughter is in harm's way, that's a factor that I, as an American
citizen, and I, as a former Secretary of Defense, have to take into
account, and would. I think anyone serving in public office
necessarily has to have a set of balancing factors to take into
account.
It's not an absolute. This will not be a document that says, 'this
is when the line is crossed and this is the action we will take.'
These are going to be guidelines. I think they, in themselves,
will serve a very valuable purpose because it will help to at least
raise the issue to a level of both domestic and international
concern. Hopefully stirring action that will prevent them from
taking place. That is our goal.
A: Secretary Albright
Let me just speak to this because I think that you have pointed out
why this is difficult. These are issues people have talked about a
long time and they may come out in statements and then, ultimately,
when you're in the government (as we both have been) and you have
to make very tough decisions, you have to look at the overall
picture. I think we have to admit that. Otherwise, we're not
going to get off the ground here. These are very, very hard
issues.
I definitely would not accept your definition that if friends do it
it's okay, if enemies do it it's not. I find that just an
unacceptable premise. I do think that it is very important to keep
in mind what this task force is going to do. It is going to set
forth guidelines for practical action by, primarily, the United
States government. Which is why we want to present it by the end
of next year. And the point here is, and I've been in enough
discussions where you can have all kinds of emotional arguments
about why something is wrong and then you never get it off the
ground, because you ultimately have to take practical action. And
that is what's happening in the United States about Darfur at the
moment, where people need practical steps in order to deal with
that. And that is what this task force is going to do. We're not
going to, I hope, get ourselves into emotional appeals because that
does not work.
Q: Nareg Seferian (Armenian Reporter)
As has been previously mentioned, the two of you have personally
worked towards ensuring that the United States government does not
take a stand recognizing the Armenian Genocide . . . How can you
provide credibility that your recommendation will be of practical
use to the United States in its foreign policy and will not be just
words on a piece of paper that will be acceptable, but which the US
will not follow up on because it's simply not politically
expedient?
A: Secretary Cohen
You talk about political expediency. As Secretary of Defense, I
had responsibility for every man and woman who is serving in our
armed forces. And, yes, I would have to take into account whether
or not I was placing them in greater jeopardy in order to go back
and make a declaration about something that happened back in 1915
and 1923. I would have to weigh that. Frankly, I think the former
Secretaries of Defense, Republican and Democrat alike, all came to
the same conclusion: we would not put our men and women in greater
danger under these circumstances. Now, does that mean that we are
not in a position to look forward in saying, 'here are some of the
things that have happened in the past, here are some of the things
we did not do in the past, here are some things we think need to be
done in the future.' And future leaders will have to take into
account the same sort of moral considerations. There is no
absolute right or wrong. It's not all black and white. We're
going to have to take these into account. You as a private
citizen, will be in a position to say, 'Here is a document issued
by this esteemed group. What do you Mr. President, what do you Mr.
Secretary intend to do about atrocities currently taking place in x
country?'
... So I think that we are certainly in a position, having dealt
with ethnic cleansing in the past, to take that experience as well
as what took place in Armenia, as well as what took place in
Rwanda, now in Darfur, and say, 'this is how we have to move in the
future.'
A: Secretary Albright
Let me also say, I think it's important that you know what we
actually meant in the letter and I think that all the former
Secretaries, in fact, while we were Secretaries recognized that
mass killings and forced exile had taken place. And that we also
said that the US policy has been, all along, for reconciliation
between Turkey and Armenia on this particular issue. I do think
that one of the things this task force will ultimately recommend is
that the parties to the problem have to acknowledge what happened
and I think that is part of what the issue is. . . We are trying to
put this within a context that will make practical activity at the
time something that the US government can undertake. There is not
one answer to it all. And that is one of the things we are going
to be looking at. I honestly think that is essential that we make
clear that this task force is about the future, about preventing
genocide and also looking at what the circumstances are.
#####
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress