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Radanovich expresses disappointment in Obama refusal to acknowledge

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  • Radanovich expresses disappointment in Obama refusal to acknowledge

    States News Service
    April 24, 2009 Friday



    RADANOVICH EXPRESSES DISAPPOINTMENT IN OBAMA'S REFUSAL TO ACKNOWLEDGE
    ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

    WASHINGTON


    The following information was released by the office of California
    Rep. George P. Radanovich:

    Congressman George Radanovich (R-Mariposa) today released the
    following statement after President Barack Obama refused to properly
    characterize the systematic destruction of 1.5 million Armenians in
    1915 as "genocide."

    "I am outraged that after establishing an unequivocal record of
    understanding for the history of the Armenian Genocide, the President
    chose, for political reasons, to abandon his commitment to the
    Armenian people.

    "I am truly saddened and disappointed that the President continued our
    government's denial of the truth and refused to acknowledge the
    Armenian Genocide - and in so doing fully abandoned another of his
    campaign promises.

    "Like the President, I am very pleased with the recent announcement of
    a roadmap towards normalization of relations between Armenia and
    Turkey. This will be beneficial to both countries and is something I
    hope to see progress expeditiously. However, it has absolutely nothing
    to do with the fact that genocide was perpetrated on the Armenian
    people 94 years ago. For the President to refer to it in his Armenian
    Remembrance Day statement and implicitly use this modern day
    occurrence as an excuse to go back on the promises he made as a
    candidate about appropriately acknowledging the past is dishonest and
    disrespectful to Armenians around the world.

    "The truth is not political and should not be used for political
    purposes. If we are to have any of hope of affecting genocide and
    other atrocities occurring today, we must show the conviction to
    acknowledge those in the past. Otherwise, those perpetrating genocide
    will be given strength from our unwillingness to embrace the truth.

    "While the President's statement is unfortunate, it does not affect my
    commitment to seeing the House pass H. Res 252 and recognize the
    Genocide. If anything, the President's statement only further
    highlights the need for Congress to demonstrate the strength that the
    President's statement lacks - and tell the world that the truth will
    not be silenced."
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