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ANCA: Kerry Honors 86th Anniversary of First Armenian Republic

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  • ANCA: Kerry Honors 86th Anniversary of First Armenian Republic

    Armenian National Committee of America
    888 17th St., NW, Suite 904
    Washington, DC 20006
    Tel: (202) 775-1918
    Fax: (202) 775-5648
    E-mail: [email protected]
    Internet: www.anca.org

    PRESS RELEASE

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
    June 21, 2004
    Contact: Elizabeth S. Chouldjian
    Tel: (202) 775-1918

    KERRY HONORS 86TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FOUNDING OF THE
    FIRST ARMENIAN REPUBLIC

    WASHINGTON, DC -- In a statement released to the Armenian American
    community, presumptive Democratic Presidential nominee John Kerry
    marked the founding of the First Armenian Republic, established on May
    28th, 1918, reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).

    In his statement, Sen. Kerry noted that, "the first Republic of Armenia
    rose 86 years ago from the ashes of the Armenian genocide, but was
    partitioned soon afterwards. Yet, Armenians yearned for independence,
    and seven decades later realized their dream of self- determination."

    "Armenian Americans welcome John Kerry's celebration of the 86th
    anniversary of the first Republic of Armenia," said Aram Hamparian,
    Executive Director of the ANCA. "As a Senator with a twenty-year track
    record of advocating for issues of importance to Armenian Americans,
    John Kerry understands the tremendous challenges - first among them
    the horrific toll of the Armenian Genocide - that the Armenian people
    overcame in 1918 on the road to the establishment of the Armenian
    Republic."

    In April of this year, Sen. Kerry joined the Armenian American
    community in marking the 89th Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.
    In a statement issued on April 22nd, Senator Kerry called "on
    governments and people everywhere to formally recognize this
    tragedy. Only by learning from this dark period of history and
    working to prevent future genocides can we truly honor the memories
    of those Armenians who suffered so unjustly." In the days prior to his
    statement, Senator Kerry joined 22 of his Senate colleagues in calling
    on President Bush to "refer to the mass slaughter of Armenians as
    genocide in your commemorative statement." He was amongst the earliest
    cosponsors of the Genocide resolution (S.Res.164), which marks the
    15th anniversary of the U.S. implementation of the Genocide Convention.

    Senator Kerry's complete record on Armenian American concerns is
    posted on the Armenians For Kerry website www.armeniansforkerry.com
    . The website includes previous statements by the Senator and provides
    ways for Armenian American supporters to become active in the Kerry
    campaign through donations or other volunteer efforts.

    The congratulatory letter regarding the First Armenian Republic was
    read at a Greater Washington, DC area celebration last Saturday night,
    hosted by the ARF. The complete text of the statement follows.

    #####

    Letter from John Kerry Honoring Armenia's First Independence

    Tonight I join Armenian-Americans in proudly celebrating the Republic
    of Armenia's day of independence. The first Republic of Armenia
    rose 86 years ago from the ashes of the Armenian genocide, but was
    partitioned soon afterwards. Yet, Armenians yearned for independence,
    and seven decades later realized their dream of self- determination.

    I am proud of my work with the Armenian-American community including
    my support for ending Azerbaijan's blockades of Armenia and Nagorno
    Karabakh, for the Humanitarian Aid Corridor Act in 1996 and for
    extending "permanent normal trade relations" (PNTR) to Armenia.

    This evening I would also like to pay tribute to the Armenian-
    Americans who have contributed so much to our great country.
    Your hard work and strong values make our country a better place for
    all Americans.

    I hope you have a wonderful celebration and, of course, a very happy
    birthday.
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