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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
December 1, 2008
Contact: Elizabeth S. Chouldjian
Tel: (202) 775-1918
ANCA WELCOMES CLINTON'S APPOINTMENT AS SECRETARY OF STATE
-- Senator Clinton Supported Adoption of the
Armenian Genocide Resolution, Pledged as
Candidate to "Recognize the Armenian Genocide"
"I believe the horrible events perpetrated
by the Ottoman Empire against Armenians
constitute a clear case of genocide."
-- Hillary Clinton, January 24, 2008
WASHINGTON, DC - President-elect Barack Obama's choice of Senator
Hillary Clinton (D-NY) to serve as his Secretary of State was
welcomed today by the Armenian National Committee of America
(ANCA).
"We extend our thanks to President-elect Obama for this choice and
our congratulations to Senator Clinton on her appointment to our
nation's top diplomatic post," said Aram Hamparian, Executive
Director of the ANCA. "We are certainly pleased to see that, for
the first time in recent memory, an individual with a strong record
in support of Armenian Genocide recognition will serve as America's
Secretary of State."
During her tenure in the U.S. Senate, Hillary Clinton has both
called upon President Bush to honor his campaign pledge to
recognize the Armenian Genocide, and also cosponsored every
Armenian Genocide Resolution since coming into office in 2001.
On January 24th of this year Senator Clinton issued a campaign
statement outlining her views on U.S.-Armenia relations. The full
text is provided below.
#####
Statement of Senator Hillary Clinton
on the U.S.-Armenia Relationship
January 24, 2008
Alone among the Presidential candidates, I have been a longstanding
supporter of the Armenian Genocide Resolution. I have been a co-
sponsor of the Resolution since 2002, and I support adoption of
this legislation by both Houses of Congress.
I believe the horrible events perpetrated by the Ottoman Empire
against Armenians constitute a clear case of genocide. I have twice
written to President Bush calling on him to refer to the Armenian
Genocide in his annual commemorative statement and, as President, I
will recognize the Armenian Genocide. Our common morality and our
nation's credibility as a voice for human rights challenge us to
ensure that the Armenian Genocide be recognized and remembered by
the Congress and the President of the United States.
If the mass atrocities of the 20th Century have taught us anything
it is that we must honestly look the facts of history in the face
in order to learn their lessons, and ensure they will not happen
again. It is not just about the past, but about our future. We must
close the gap between words and deeds to prevent mass atrocities.
That is why I am a supporter of the Responsibility to Protect. As
President, I will work to build and enhance U.S. and international
capacity to act early and effectively to prevent mass atrocities.
The Bush administration's words of condemnation have not been
backed with leadership to stop the genocide in Darfur. I support a
no-fly-zone over Darfur. I have championed strong international
action to ensure that the government of Sudan can no longer act
with impunity, or interfere with the international peacekeeping
force, which is essential for the protection of the people of
Darfur.
I value my friendship with our nation's vibrant Armenian-American
community. This is in keeping with my dedication to the causes of
the Armenian-American community over many years. I was privileged
as First Lady to speak at the first-ever White House gathering in
1994 for leaders from Armenia and the Armenian-American community
to celebrate the historic occasion of Armenia's reborn
independence. I said at the time that America will stand with you
as you realize what the great Armenian poet, Puzant Granian, called
the Armenian's dream "to be left in peace in his mountains, to
build, to dream, to create."
I will, as President, work to expand and improve U.S.-Armenia
relations in addressing the common issues facing our two nations:
increasing trade, fostering closer economic ties, fighting
terrorism, strengthening democratic institutions, pursuing our
military partnership and deepening cooperation with NATO, and
cooperating on regional concerns, among them a fair and democratic
resolution of the Nagorno-Karabagh conflict. As President, I will
expand U.S. assistance programs to Armenia and to the people of
Nagorno-Karabagh.
I look forward, as President, to continuing to work with the
Armenian-American community on the many domestic and international
challenges we face together, and to build on the strong foundations
of shared values that have long brought together the American and
Armenian peoples.
1711 N Street, NW
Washington, DC 20036
Tel. (202) 775-1918
Fax. (202) 775-5648
[email protected]
Internet www.anca.org
PRESS RELEASE
December 1, 2008
Contact: Elizabeth S. Chouldjian
Tel: (202) 775-1918
ANCA WELCOMES CLINTON'S APPOINTMENT AS SECRETARY OF STATE
-- Senator Clinton Supported Adoption of the
Armenian Genocide Resolution, Pledged as
Candidate to "Recognize the Armenian Genocide"
"I believe the horrible events perpetrated
by the Ottoman Empire against Armenians
constitute a clear case of genocide."
-- Hillary Clinton, January 24, 2008
WASHINGTON, DC - President-elect Barack Obama's choice of Senator
Hillary Clinton (D-NY) to serve as his Secretary of State was
welcomed today by the Armenian National Committee of America
(ANCA).
"We extend our thanks to President-elect Obama for this choice and
our congratulations to Senator Clinton on her appointment to our
nation's top diplomatic post," said Aram Hamparian, Executive
Director of the ANCA. "We are certainly pleased to see that, for
the first time in recent memory, an individual with a strong record
in support of Armenian Genocide recognition will serve as America's
Secretary of State."
During her tenure in the U.S. Senate, Hillary Clinton has both
called upon President Bush to honor his campaign pledge to
recognize the Armenian Genocide, and also cosponsored every
Armenian Genocide Resolution since coming into office in 2001.
On January 24th of this year Senator Clinton issued a campaign
statement outlining her views on U.S.-Armenia relations. The full
text is provided below.
#####
Statement of Senator Hillary Clinton
on the U.S.-Armenia Relationship
January 24, 2008
Alone among the Presidential candidates, I have been a longstanding
supporter of the Armenian Genocide Resolution. I have been a co-
sponsor of the Resolution since 2002, and I support adoption of
this legislation by both Houses of Congress.
I believe the horrible events perpetrated by the Ottoman Empire
against Armenians constitute a clear case of genocide. I have twice
written to President Bush calling on him to refer to the Armenian
Genocide in his annual commemorative statement and, as President, I
will recognize the Armenian Genocide. Our common morality and our
nation's credibility as a voice for human rights challenge us to
ensure that the Armenian Genocide be recognized and remembered by
the Congress and the President of the United States.
If the mass atrocities of the 20th Century have taught us anything
it is that we must honestly look the facts of history in the face
in order to learn their lessons, and ensure they will not happen
again. It is not just about the past, but about our future. We must
close the gap between words and deeds to prevent mass atrocities.
That is why I am a supporter of the Responsibility to Protect. As
President, I will work to build and enhance U.S. and international
capacity to act early and effectively to prevent mass atrocities.
The Bush administration's words of condemnation have not been
backed with leadership to stop the genocide in Darfur. I support a
no-fly-zone over Darfur. I have championed strong international
action to ensure that the government of Sudan can no longer act
with impunity, or interfere with the international peacekeeping
force, which is essential for the protection of the people of
Darfur.
I value my friendship with our nation's vibrant Armenian-American
community. This is in keeping with my dedication to the causes of
the Armenian-American community over many years. I was privileged
as First Lady to speak at the first-ever White House gathering in
1994 for leaders from Armenia and the Armenian-American community
to celebrate the historic occasion of Armenia's reborn
independence. I said at the time that America will stand with you
as you realize what the great Armenian poet, Puzant Granian, called
the Armenian's dream "to be left in peace in his mountains, to
build, to dream, to create."
I will, as President, work to expand and improve U.S.-Armenia
relations in addressing the common issues facing our two nations:
increasing trade, fostering closer economic ties, fighting
terrorism, strengthening democratic institutions, pursuing our
military partnership and deepening cooperation with NATO, and
cooperating on regional concerns, among them a fair and democratic
resolution of the Nagorno-Karabagh conflict. As President, I will
expand U.S. assistance programs to Armenia and to the people of
Nagorno-Karabagh.
I look forward, as President, to continuing to work with the
Armenian-American community on the many domestic and international
challenges we face together, and to build on the strong foundations
of shared values that have long brought together the American and
Armenian peoples.