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ANCA Welcomes Delay in Gordon Confirmation Vote

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  • ANCA Welcomes Delay in Gordon Confirmation Vote

    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
    April 3, 2009
    Contact: Elizabeth S. Chouldjian
    Tel: (202) 775-1918

    ANCA WELCOMES DELAY IN GORDON CONFIRMATION VOTE

    -- Senate Vote on State Department Nominee Will
    Now Take Place after President's Trip to Turkey

    WASHINGTON, DC - The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA)
    today noted that the U.S. Senate's delay in confirming the Obama
    Administration's nomination of Phil Gordon to a senior State
    Department posting will allow Senators time to meaningfully
    consider both the timing and wisdom of approving an individual
    whose record is so markedly at odds with the President's commitment
    to bringing about official U.S. recognition of the Armenian
    Genocide.

    The Senate, which approved a slate of other senior Presidential
    appointments earlier today, went into a two-week recess this
    afternoon without acting on his nomination to serve as Assistant
    Secretary of State for Europe and Eurasian Affairs. Although the
    cause for this delay remains unclear, it is likely the result of a
    "hold" placed on his confirmation by a member of the Senate.

    "We see this delay as a meaningful opportunity for Senators to
    weigh the merits of approving a nominee with a record of arguing
    against both Executive Branch and Congressional recognition of the
    Armenian Genocide - a position at direct odds with the strong moral
    stand taken by the President that the U.S. should clearly and fully
    condemn this crime against humanity," said Aram Hamparian,
    Executive Director of the ANCA. "We look forward, during Genocide
    Prevention Month this April, to President Obama honoring his pledge
    to recognize the Armenian Genocide."

    During his March 31st confirmation hearing before the Senate Foreign
    Relations Committee , and in his extensive writings, Mr. Gordon
    frequently argued against U.S. recognition of the Armenian
    Genocide. His responses and record placed him directly at odds
    with the views of the President, who has consistently argued for
    U.S. recognition of the Armenian Genocide, strongly supported full
    Congressional commemoration of this crime, and repeatedly pledged,
    if elected, to recognize the Armenian Genocide. Gordon's stand on
    this human rights issue and also his views on the Turkish
    occupation of Cyprus, which are seen by the Greek American
    community as deeply troubling, were the subject of questioning,
    both verbal and written, during and after his hearing.
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