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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
January 20, 2008
Contact: Elizabeth S. Chouldjian
Tel: (202) 775-1918
BARACK OBAMA CALLS FOR PASSAGE OF ARMENIAN GENOCIDE RESOLUTION
"America deserves a leader who speaks truthfully
about the Armenian Genocide and responds forcefully
to all genocides. I intend to be that President." -- Sen. Barack Obama
-- Others Candidates Also Expected to Issue Statements
WASHINGTON, DC - Presidential candidate Barack Obama shared with
the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) a strongly worded
statement today calling for Congressional passage of the Armenian
Genocide Resolution (H.Res.106 & S.Res.106), and pledging that, as
president, he will recognize the Armenian Genocide.
In his statement, the Presidential hopeful reaffirmed his support
for a strong "U.S.-Armenian relationship that advances our common
security and strengthens Armenian democracy." He also pledged to
"promote Armenian security by seeking an end to the Turkish and
Azerbaijani blockades, and by working for a lasting and durable
settlement of the Nagorno Karabagh conflict that is agreeable to
all parties, and based upon America's founding commitment to the
principles of democracy and self determination."
"Armenian American voters welcome Senator Obama's powerful call for
real change in how our government addresses the core moral and
foreign policy issues that hold such great meaning for our
community," said ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian. "After
decades of White House complicity in Turkey's efforts to block
American recognition of the Armenian Genocide, most recently in the
form of President Bush's personal efforts this past October to
delay the Armenian Genocide Resolution, the time has clearly come
for a President who will personally lead - not obstruct - the
commemoration of this crime against all humanity."
As a Senator, Barack Obama has spoken in support of U.S.
affirmation of the Armenian Genocide and cosigned a letter urging
President Bush to properly recognize the Armenian Genocide. He has
forcefully called for the adoption of the Armenian Genocide
Resolution, but has yet to formally cosponsor this legislation.
While visiting Azerbaijan in August 2005, Senator Obama was asked
by reporters why he cosigned the letter to President Bush. Obama
defended his decision by stating the genocide was a historical
fact. The Illinois Senator publicly criticized the firing of
former U.S. Ambassador to Armenia John Evans, who was dismissed for
speaking truthfully about the Armenian Genocide.
In recent weeks, the ANCA has invited each of the candidates to
share their views on Armenian Americans issues, and to comment on
both the growing relationship between the U.S. and Armenian
governments and the enduring bonds between the American and
Armenian peoples. Questionnaires sent to the candidates have
invited them to respond to a set of 19 questions, including those
addressing: affirmation of the Armenian Genocide, U.S.-Armenia
economic, political, and military relations, self-determination for
Nagorno Karabagh, the Turkish and Azerbaijani blockades, and the
genocide in Darfur.
Armenian Americans, in key primary states and throughout the
country, represent a motivated and highly networked constituency of
more than one and a half million citizens. The ANCA mobilizes
Armenian American voters through a network of over 50 chapters and
a diverse array of affiliates, civic advocates, and supporters
nationwide. ANCA mailings reach over a quarter of a million homes,
and, through the internet, updates and action alerts reach well
over 100,000 households. The ANCA website, which features election
coverage from an Armenian American point of view, attracts over
100,000 unique visits a month. The ANCA also has broad reach to
Armenian American voters via a sophisticated media operation of
newspapers, regional cable shows, satellite TV, blogs, and internet
news sites.
To learn more about the Obama campaign, contact:
Obama for America
P.O. Box 8102
Chicago, IL 60680
Tel: (866) 675-2008
Website: http://www.barackobama.com/
Sen. Obama's statement on U.S.-Armenia relations is posted is
available on the official campaign website at:
http://www.barackobama.com/2008/01/19/barack_o bama_on_the_importance.php
As always, the ANCA welcomes feedback on its service to the
Armenian American community. Please forward your thoughts and
suggestions about the 2008 Presidential election by email to
[email protected].
#####
Barack Obama on the Importance of US-Armenia Relations
| JANUARY 19, 2008 |
I am proud of my strong record on issues of concern to the one and
a half million Americans of Armenian heritage in the United States.
I warmly welcome the support of this vibrant and politically active
community as we change how our government works here at home, and
restore American leadership abroad.
I am a strong supporter of a U.S.-Armenian relationship that
advances our common security and strengthens Armenian democracy. As
President, I will maintain our assistance to Armenia, which has
been a reliable partner in the fight against terrorism and
extremism. I will promote Armenian security by seeking an end to
the Turkish and Azerbaijani blockades, and by working for a lasting
and durable settlement of the Nagorno Karabagh conflict that is
agreeable to all parties, and based upon America's founding
commitment to the principles of democracy and self determination.
And my Administration will help foster Armenia's growth and
development through expanded trade and targeted aid, and by
strengthening the commercial, political, military, developmental,
and cultural relationships between the U.S. and Armenian
governments.
I also share with Armenian Americans - so many of whom are
descended from genocide survivors - a principled commitment to
commemorating and ending genocide. That starts with acknowledging
the tragic instances of genocide in world history. As a U.S.
Senator, I have stood with the Armenian American community in
calling for Turkey's acknowledgement of the Armenian Genocide. Two
years ago, I criticized the Secretary of State for the firing of
U.S. Ambassador to Armenia, John Evans, after he properly used the
term "genocide" to describe Turkey's slaughter of thousands of
Armenians starting in 1915. I shared with Secretary Rice my firmly
held conviction that the Armenian Genocide is not an allegation, a
personal opinion, or a point of view, but rather a widely
documented fact supported by an overwhelming body of historical
evidence. The facts are undeniable. An official policy that calls
on diplomats to distort the historical facts is an untenable
policy. As a senator, I strongly support passage of the Armenian
Genocide Resolution (H.Res.106 and S.Res.106), and as President I
will recognize the Armenian Genocide.
Genocide, sadly, persists to this day, and threatens our common
security and common humanity. Tragically, we are witnessing in
Sudan many of the same brutal tactics - displacement, starvation,
and mass slaughter - that were used by the Ottoman authorities
against defenseless Armenians back in 1915. I have visited
Darfurian refugee camps, pushed for the deployment of a robust
multinational force for Darfur, and urged divestment from companies
doing business in Sudan. America deserves a leader who speaks
truthfully about the Armenian Genocide and responds forcefully to
all genocides. I intend to be that President.
I look forward, as President, to continuing my active engagement
with Armenian American leaders on the full range of issues of
concern to the Armenian American community. Together, we will
build, in new and exciting ways, upon the enduring ties and shared
values that have bound together the American and Armenian peoples
for more than a century.
Source:
http://www.barackobama.com/2008/01/19/barack_obam a_on_the_importance.php
#####
1711 N Street, NW
Washington, DC 20036
Tel. (202) 775-1918
Fax. (202) 775-5648
[email protected]
Internet www.anca.org
PRESS RELEASE
January 20, 2008
Contact: Elizabeth S. Chouldjian
Tel: (202) 775-1918
BARACK OBAMA CALLS FOR PASSAGE OF ARMENIAN GENOCIDE RESOLUTION
"America deserves a leader who speaks truthfully
about the Armenian Genocide and responds forcefully
to all genocides. I intend to be that President." -- Sen. Barack Obama
-- Others Candidates Also Expected to Issue Statements
WASHINGTON, DC - Presidential candidate Barack Obama shared with
the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) a strongly worded
statement today calling for Congressional passage of the Armenian
Genocide Resolution (H.Res.106 & S.Res.106), and pledging that, as
president, he will recognize the Armenian Genocide.
In his statement, the Presidential hopeful reaffirmed his support
for a strong "U.S.-Armenian relationship that advances our common
security and strengthens Armenian democracy." He also pledged to
"promote Armenian security by seeking an end to the Turkish and
Azerbaijani blockades, and by working for a lasting and durable
settlement of the Nagorno Karabagh conflict that is agreeable to
all parties, and based upon America's founding commitment to the
principles of democracy and self determination."
"Armenian American voters welcome Senator Obama's powerful call for
real change in how our government addresses the core moral and
foreign policy issues that hold such great meaning for our
community," said ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian. "After
decades of White House complicity in Turkey's efforts to block
American recognition of the Armenian Genocide, most recently in the
form of President Bush's personal efforts this past October to
delay the Armenian Genocide Resolution, the time has clearly come
for a President who will personally lead - not obstruct - the
commemoration of this crime against all humanity."
As a Senator, Barack Obama has spoken in support of U.S.
affirmation of the Armenian Genocide and cosigned a letter urging
President Bush to properly recognize the Armenian Genocide. He has
forcefully called for the adoption of the Armenian Genocide
Resolution, but has yet to formally cosponsor this legislation.
While visiting Azerbaijan in August 2005, Senator Obama was asked
by reporters why he cosigned the letter to President Bush. Obama
defended his decision by stating the genocide was a historical
fact. The Illinois Senator publicly criticized the firing of
former U.S. Ambassador to Armenia John Evans, who was dismissed for
speaking truthfully about the Armenian Genocide.
In recent weeks, the ANCA has invited each of the candidates to
share their views on Armenian Americans issues, and to comment on
both the growing relationship between the U.S. and Armenian
governments and the enduring bonds between the American and
Armenian peoples. Questionnaires sent to the candidates have
invited them to respond to a set of 19 questions, including those
addressing: affirmation of the Armenian Genocide, U.S.-Armenia
economic, political, and military relations, self-determination for
Nagorno Karabagh, the Turkish and Azerbaijani blockades, and the
genocide in Darfur.
Armenian Americans, in key primary states and throughout the
country, represent a motivated and highly networked constituency of
more than one and a half million citizens. The ANCA mobilizes
Armenian American voters through a network of over 50 chapters and
a diverse array of affiliates, civic advocates, and supporters
nationwide. ANCA mailings reach over a quarter of a million homes,
and, through the internet, updates and action alerts reach well
over 100,000 households. The ANCA website, which features election
coverage from an Armenian American point of view, attracts over
100,000 unique visits a month. The ANCA also has broad reach to
Armenian American voters via a sophisticated media operation of
newspapers, regional cable shows, satellite TV, blogs, and internet
news sites.
To learn more about the Obama campaign, contact:
Obama for America
P.O. Box 8102
Chicago, IL 60680
Tel: (866) 675-2008
Website: http://www.barackobama.com/
Sen. Obama's statement on U.S.-Armenia relations is posted is
available on the official campaign website at:
http://www.barackobama.com/2008/01/19/barack_o bama_on_the_importance.php
As always, the ANCA welcomes feedback on its service to the
Armenian American community. Please forward your thoughts and
suggestions about the 2008 Presidential election by email to
[email protected].
#####
Barack Obama on the Importance of US-Armenia Relations
| JANUARY 19, 2008 |
I am proud of my strong record on issues of concern to the one and
a half million Americans of Armenian heritage in the United States.
I warmly welcome the support of this vibrant and politically active
community as we change how our government works here at home, and
restore American leadership abroad.
I am a strong supporter of a U.S.-Armenian relationship that
advances our common security and strengthens Armenian democracy. As
President, I will maintain our assistance to Armenia, which has
been a reliable partner in the fight against terrorism and
extremism. I will promote Armenian security by seeking an end to
the Turkish and Azerbaijani blockades, and by working for a lasting
and durable settlement of the Nagorno Karabagh conflict that is
agreeable to all parties, and based upon America's founding
commitment to the principles of democracy and self determination.
And my Administration will help foster Armenia's growth and
development through expanded trade and targeted aid, and by
strengthening the commercial, political, military, developmental,
and cultural relationships between the U.S. and Armenian
governments.
I also share with Armenian Americans - so many of whom are
descended from genocide survivors - a principled commitment to
commemorating and ending genocide. That starts with acknowledging
the tragic instances of genocide in world history. As a U.S.
Senator, I have stood with the Armenian American community in
calling for Turkey's acknowledgement of the Armenian Genocide. Two
years ago, I criticized the Secretary of State for the firing of
U.S. Ambassador to Armenia, John Evans, after he properly used the
term "genocide" to describe Turkey's slaughter of thousands of
Armenians starting in 1915. I shared with Secretary Rice my firmly
held conviction that the Armenian Genocide is not an allegation, a
personal opinion, or a point of view, but rather a widely
documented fact supported by an overwhelming body of historical
evidence. The facts are undeniable. An official policy that calls
on diplomats to distort the historical facts is an untenable
policy. As a senator, I strongly support passage of the Armenian
Genocide Resolution (H.Res.106 and S.Res.106), and as President I
will recognize the Armenian Genocide.
Genocide, sadly, persists to this day, and threatens our common
security and common humanity. Tragically, we are witnessing in
Sudan many of the same brutal tactics - displacement, starvation,
and mass slaughter - that were used by the Ottoman authorities
against defenseless Armenians back in 1915. I have visited
Darfurian refugee camps, pushed for the deployment of a robust
multinational force for Darfur, and urged divestment from companies
doing business in Sudan. America deserves a leader who speaks
truthfully about the Armenian Genocide and responds forcefully to
all genocides. I intend to be that President.
I look forward, as President, to continuing my active engagement
with Armenian American leaders on the full range of issues of
concern to the Armenian American community. Together, we will
build, in new and exciting ways, upon the enduring ties and shared
values that have bound together the American and Armenian peoples
for more than a century.
Source:
http://www.barackobama.com/2008/01/19/barack_obam a_on_the_importance.php
#####