Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

ANCA: Obama Reaffirms Pledge to Recognize Armenian Genocide

Collapse
X
 
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

  • ANCA: Obama Reaffirms Pledge to Recognize Armenian Genocide

    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
    October 31, 2008
    Contact: Elizabeth S. Chouldjian
    Tel: (202) 775-1918


    OBAMA REAFFIRMS PLEDGE TO RECOGNIZE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

    -- ANCA Welcomes latest Obama-Biden Statement Calling for Strong
    U.S.-Armenia Relationship

    WASHINGTON, DC - With just days left to the crucial November 4th
    presidential elections, the Obama-Biden campaign reaffirmed its
    commitment to Armenian Genocide recognition and a strong U.S.-
    Armenia relationship, reported the Armenian National Committee of
    America (ANCA).

    A statement titled "Barack Obama: Supporting U.S.-Armenia
    Relations," relayed to Armenians for Obama Chairman Areen
    Ibranossian earlier today as well as the ANCA, affirms that "The
    Armenian Genocide, carried out by the Ottoman Empire from 1915 to
    1923, resulted in the deportation of nearly 2 million Armenians,
    and approximately 1.5 million of those deported were killed. Barack
    Obama believes we must recognize this tragic reality and strongly
    supports a U.S.-Armenian relationship that advances our common
    security and strengthens Armenian democracy." The statement goes on
    to note "Barack Obama strongly supports passage of the Armenian
    Genocide Resolution (H.Res.106 and S.Res.106) and will recognize
    the Armenian Genocide."

    "The ANCA welcomes further reaffirmation of Barack Obama's strong
    commitment to issues of concern to the Armenian American community,
    including proper recognition of the Armenian Genocide and fostering
    a strong U.S.-Armenia relationship," stated ANCA Executive Director
    Aram Hamparian. "ANCA chapters and activists across the U.S. will
    continue, in these last days, to work hard for the Obama-Biden
    ticket and the candidacies of the large number of Senators and
    Representatives who have supported Armenian American concerns."

    The Obama-Biden statement comes amid a flurry of reports in the
    Turkish press regarding a meeting that supposedly took place over
    the last several days between a senior Turkish official, Ahmet
    Davutoglu, and a representative of the Obama-Biden Campaign, after
    which Davutoglu called into question Obama's commitment to this
    core human rights issue.

    Last week, the ANCA formalized its longstanding support for Barack
    Obama with an official endorsement of the Obama-Biden campaign for
    the Presidency of the United States. The ANCA had first endorsed
    Sen. Obama in January, 2008, leading up to the critical super-
    Tuesday primary elections.

    To read the ANCA endorsement of the Obama-Biden ticket and review
    all supporting documents of his candidacy, visit:
    http://www.anca.org/press_releases/ancaupda tes/102408_election.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].

    The complete text of the latest Obama-Biden campaign statement is
    provided below.


    #####

    BARACK OBAMA: SUPPORTING U.S.-ARMENIA RELATIONS

    The Armenian Genocide, carried out by the Ottoman Empire from 1915
    to 1923, resulted in the deportation of nearly 2 million Armenians,
    and approximately 1.5 million of those deported were killed. Barack
    Obama believes we must recognize this tragic reality and strongly
    supports a U.S.-Armenian relationship that advances our common
    security and strengthens Armenian democracy.

    Recognition of the Armenian Genocide: Barack Obama shares with
    Armenian Americans a principled commitment to ending genocide. That
    starts with acknowledging the tragic instances of genocide in world
    history. As a senator, Obama has stood with the Armenian American
    community in calling for Turkey's acknowledgement of the Armenian
    Genocide. He criticized the Secretary of State two years ago for
    the firing of the U.S. Ambassador to Armenia, John Evans, after he
    used the term "genocide" to describe Turkey's slaughter of
    thousands of Armenians starting in 1915. Obama wrote 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.

    Barack Obama strongly supports passage of the Armenian Genocide
    Resolution (H.Res.106 and S.Res.106) and will recognize the
    Armenian Genocide.

    Genocide Prevention: The U.S. and the entire global community must
    remember the past and learn from these crimes against humanity to
    make sure that they never happen again. Sadly, genocide persists
    today and threatens our common security and common humanity. In
    Sudan, we are witnessing many of the same brutal tactics -
    displacement, starvation, and mass slaughter - that were used by
    the Ottoman authorities against Armenians in 1915. Obama has been a
    leading voice urging the Bush administration to take stronger steps
    to end the genocide in Sudan. He traveled to the United Nations to
    meet with Sudanese officials, visited refugee camps on the Chad-
    Sudan border, pushed for the deployment of a robust multinational
    force for Darfur, and urged divestment from companies doing
    business in Sudan.

    Commitment to Armenian Americans: Barack Obama has a strong record
    on issues of concern to the 1.5 million Americans of Armenian
    heritage in the United States. As president, Obama will maintain
    our assistance to Armenia, which has been a reliable partner in the
    fight against terrorism and extremism. An Obama administration will
    help foster Armenia's growth and development through expanded trade
    and targeted aid. He will also strengthen the commercial,
    political, military, developmental, and cultural relationships
    between the U.S. and Armenian governments. Obama will continue his
    active engagement with Armenian American leaders on the full range
    of issues of concern to the Armenian American community to build
    upon the enduring ties and shared values that have bound together
    the American and Armenian peoples for more than a century.
Working...
X