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ANKARA: Armenians Are Mobilizing Congress To Get Recognition

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  • ANKARA: Armenians Are Mobilizing Congress To Get Recognition

    ARMENIANS ARE MOBILIZING CONGRESS TO GET RECOGNITION

    Hurriyet
    Feb 5 2009
    Turkey

    WASHINGTON - The largest U.S. Armenian group has asked Armenians
    throughout the United States to urge lawmakers in the House of
    Representatives to support an upcoming resolution for the country
    to recognize the Armenians' claims of "genocide", a strong sign that
    the legislation is due to be introduced soon.

    "With the Obama-Biden administration and new Congress now in place,
    we have the best opportunity in years to end Turkey's gag rule on
    American recognition of the Armenian genocide," The Armenian National
    Committee of America, or ANCA, said in a statement released yesterday
    for U.S. Armenians.

    The ANCA's Web site included a template letter Armenians could send
    to lawmakers. In the letter, lawmakers are encouraged to become early
    co-sponsors of the "genocide resolution," likely to be introduced
    to the House soon by pro-Armenian representatives Adam Schiff, a
    Democrat from California, and George Radanovich, a Republican also
    from California. Nearly half of the 1.5-million-strong U.S. Armenian
    community lives in California. The ANCA also reiterated a call for
    U.S. Armenians to send messages to President Obama to urge him to
    keep a pledge made during the election campaign last year to recognize
    the claims of genocide if elected.

    "We are, of course, looking forward to President Obama honoring his
    pledge to recognize the Armenian genocide and are turning to you to
    help build support for proper congressional recognition of this crime
    against humanity," the ANCA told U.S. Armenians.

    Mark Kirk, an Illinois Republican and co-chairman of the Armenian
    Caucus in the House, said the U.S. Defense and State Departments
    would always oppose the resolution, citing strategic aspects of
    the relationship with Turkey. "I think we are the strongest at the
    beginning of a Congress, at the beginning of a presidency... So it's
    best if we move now," Kirk said.

    With Obama as president, Armenians hope this time they will win formal
    U.S. recognition for the claims of "genocide".
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