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ARMENIAN ASSEMBLY OF AMERICA CONGRATULATES OBAMA-BIDEN VICTORY
De Facto
Nov 5, 2008
YEREVAN, 05.11.08. DE FACTO. "Change" - it has been the driving theme
of the 2008 Presidential election with both candidates promising
to change how things are done in Washington. Across the board on
issues important to Armenian-Americans and their friends, Senators
Barack Obama (D-IL) and Joseph Biden Jr. (D-DE) in their rhetoric and
records represented positive change, bringing the United States back
in line with the historic principles that made America great and the
Armenian Assembly of America (Assembly) congratulates them on a hard
fought election victory. This release will be updated as developments
continue to unfold, including with respect to the Congressional Caucus
on Armenian Issues.
Several key issues to the Armenian-American community include reversing
the Anti-Evans Doctrine, ending attempts to isolate Armenia, ending
genocide denial, ensuring the promotion and protection of human rights
consistently around the world, and a peaceful and just resolution
of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict. While Senator John McCain was an
early supporter of self-determination and fundamental freedoms for
the people of Nagorno Karabakh, in recent years he sided with Turkey
and Azerbaijan to oppose reaffirmation of the Armenian Genocide and
turned a blind eye to Azerbaijan's human rights record.
"By all accounts this was a historic election which provides
a tremendous opportunity for all Americans," stated Assembly
Executive Director Bryan Ardouny. "The new Administration will have
a far-reaching impact over the next four years. The Assembly looks
forward to the immediate revocation of the Anti-Evans Doctrine, and in
its place ensure that all U.S. diplomatic and foreign policy personnel
are made fully aware of the historical reality of the Armenian Genocide
and are allowed to speak the truth freely," continued Bryan Ardouny.
To note, the Anti-Evans Doctrine was formulated by the Bush
Administration to remove Ambassador John M. Evans after he had
acknowledged the Armenian Genocide in 2005. Ambassador Evans'
statement, however, was consistent with former President Ronald
Reagan's 1981 affirmation of the Armenian Genocide, as well as George
W. Bush's acknowledgement by reference to the International Center
for Transitional Justice analysis on the Armenian Genocide. In 2007,
the Armenian Assembly bestowed upon Ambassador Evans the distinguished
Henry Morgenthau Award for Meritorious Public Service. The award,
established in 1996, recognizes those individuals who exemplify the
courage embodied by Ambassador Henry Morgenthau, who served as the U.S.
Ambassador to the Ottoman Empire during the time of the
Genocide. Morgenthau was the first American to alert the world of the
Armenian Genocide and later established the Near East Relief Society
to help provide relief assistance for the survivors.
The Obama-Biden ticket has consistently demonstrated a rejection
of the Bush Administration's fundamentally flawed policy on this
critical human rights issue. Specifically, during their tenure in the
U.S. Senate and with respect to the removal of U.S. Ambassador John
M. Evans, and the subsequent nominations that ensued, both Senator
Obama and Senator Biden have pressed for affirmation of the Genocide.
Last week Senator Obama stated "Joe Biden and I believe 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." Senator Biden as Chairman
of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee not only cosponsored
S. Res. 106, the Armenian Genocide resolution, but also spearheaded
legislation, S. Res. 65, honoring the legacy of Hrant Dink and
calling for the repeal of Article 301 of the Turkish Penal Code,
which punishes discussion of the Armenian Genocide.
Senator Biden has a career long commitment of integrity on Armenian
issues.
Over the course of the U.S. Presidential race, Turks and Azeris
panicked over the prospect of the election. A senior foreign
official issued a warning to both campaigns that the U.S.-Turkey
partnership would end if they supported affirmation of the Armenian
Genocide. Turkey has bluffed before and other countries have called
Turkey's bluff. Given Senator Obama's and Senator Biden's strong
record with respect to affirmation of the Armenian Genocide Given,
Turkey should heed calls to come to terms with its genocidal legacy.
The Assembly also expressed the expectation that the Bush "Anti-Evans
Doctrine," which penalized the mere acknowledgment of the Armenian
Genocide by U.S. diplomats would be summarily revoked. In a separate
letter to the Bush Administration, the Assembly specifically requested
that the Bush Administration revoke this fundamentally flawed policy
prior to the inauguration of the next President, and called on the
Administration to instead embrace former President Ronald Reagan's
policy of Genocide affirmation. This Administration, as Reagan's did,
can avoid the annual exercise of congressional consideration of a
genocide resolution by simply using their constitutional powers to
reaffirm U.S. recognition of the Armenian Genocide.
To view a comprehensive record of the Obama-Biden ticket with respect
to Armenian issues, please visit the Assembly Website. In addition,
the Assembly will issue a comprehensive analysis of the congressional
races and notes that at the time of this release, Armenian Caucus
Members with some exceptions are faring well. Long-time Armenian
issues supporter Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) has been
projected the winner, while supporters Senators Elizabeth Dole (R-NC)
and John Sununu (R-NH) are projected to lose their re-election bids.
De Facto
Nov 5, 2008
YEREVAN, 05.11.08. DE FACTO. "Change" - it has been the driving theme
of the 2008 Presidential election with both candidates promising
to change how things are done in Washington. Across the board on
issues important to Armenian-Americans and their friends, Senators
Barack Obama (D-IL) and Joseph Biden Jr. (D-DE) in their rhetoric and
records represented positive change, bringing the United States back
in line with the historic principles that made America great and the
Armenian Assembly of America (Assembly) congratulates them on a hard
fought election victory. This release will be updated as developments
continue to unfold, including with respect to the Congressional Caucus
on Armenian Issues.
Several key issues to the Armenian-American community include reversing
the Anti-Evans Doctrine, ending attempts to isolate Armenia, ending
genocide denial, ensuring the promotion and protection of human rights
consistently around the world, and a peaceful and just resolution
of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict. While Senator John McCain was an
early supporter of self-determination and fundamental freedoms for
the people of Nagorno Karabakh, in recent years he sided with Turkey
and Azerbaijan to oppose reaffirmation of the Armenian Genocide and
turned a blind eye to Azerbaijan's human rights record.
"By all accounts this was a historic election which provides
a tremendous opportunity for all Americans," stated Assembly
Executive Director Bryan Ardouny. "The new Administration will have
a far-reaching impact over the next four years. The Assembly looks
forward to the immediate revocation of the Anti-Evans Doctrine, and in
its place ensure that all U.S. diplomatic and foreign policy personnel
are made fully aware of the historical reality of the Armenian Genocide
and are allowed to speak the truth freely," continued Bryan Ardouny.
To note, the Anti-Evans Doctrine was formulated by the Bush
Administration to remove Ambassador John M. Evans after he had
acknowledged the Armenian Genocide in 2005. Ambassador Evans'
statement, however, was consistent with former President Ronald
Reagan's 1981 affirmation of the Armenian Genocide, as well as George
W. Bush's acknowledgement by reference to the International Center
for Transitional Justice analysis on the Armenian Genocide. In 2007,
the Armenian Assembly bestowed upon Ambassador Evans the distinguished
Henry Morgenthau Award for Meritorious Public Service. The award,
established in 1996, recognizes those individuals who exemplify the
courage embodied by Ambassador Henry Morgenthau, who served as the U.S.
Ambassador to the Ottoman Empire during the time of the
Genocide. Morgenthau was the first American to alert the world of the
Armenian Genocide and later established the Near East Relief Society
to help provide relief assistance for the survivors.
The Obama-Biden ticket has consistently demonstrated a rejection
of the Bush Administration's fundamentally flawed policy on this
critical human rights issue. Specifically, during their tenure in the
U.S. Senate and with respect to the removal of U.S. Ambassador John
M. Evans, and the subsequent nominations that ensued, both Senator
Obama and Senator Biden have pressed for affirmation of the Genocide.
Last week Senator Obama stated "Joe Biden and I believe 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." Senator Biden as Chairman
of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee not only cosponsored
S. Res. 106, the Armenian Genocide resolution, but also spearheaded
legislation, S. Res. 65, honoring the legacy of Hrant Dink and
calling for the repeal of Article 301 of the Turkish Penal Code,
which punishes discussion of the Armenian Genocide.
Senator Biden has a career long commitment of integrity on Armenian
issues.
Over the course of the U.S. Presidential race, Turks and Azeris
panicked over the prospect of the election. A senior foreign
official issued a warning to both campaigns that the U.S.-Turkey
partnership would end if they supported affirmation of the Armenian
Genocide. Turkey has bluffed before and other countries have called
Turkey's bluff. Given Senator Obama's and Senator Biden's strong
record with respect to affirmation of the Armenian Genocide Given,
Turkey should heed calls to come to terms with its genocidal legacy.
The Assembly also expressed the expectation that the Bush "Anti-Evans
Doctrine," which penalized the mere acknowledgment of the Armenian
Genocide by U.S. diplomats would be summarily revoked. In a separate
letter to the Bush Administration, the Assembly specifically requested
that the Bush Administration revoke this fundamentally flawed policy
prior to the inauguration of the next President, and called on the
Administration to instead embrace former President Ronald Reagan's
policy of Genocide affirmation. This Administration, as Reagan's did,
can avoid the annual exercise of congressional consideration of a
genocide resolution by simply using their constitutional powers to
reaffirm U.S. recognition of the Armenian Genocide.
To view a comprehensive record of the Obama-Biden ticket with respect
to Armenian issues, please visit the Assembly Website. In addition,
the Assembly will issue a comprehensive analysis of the congressional
races and notes that at the time of this release, Armenian Caucus
Members with some exceptions are faring well. Long-time Armenian
issues supporter Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) has been
projected the winner, while supporters Senators Elizabeth Dole (R-NC)
and John Sununu (R-NH) are projected to lose their re-election bids.