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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. [email protected]
Internet www.anca.org
PRESS RELEASE
April 11, 2010
Contact: Elizabeth S. Chouldjian
Tel: (202) 775-1918
LEADING ARMENIAN AMERICAN GROUPS URGE PRESIDENT SARGSYAN TO PRESS
FOR ARMENIAN GENOCIDE RECOGNITION DURING HIS U.S. VISIT
-- Sargsyan Scheduled to Lay a Wreath at President Woodrow Wilson's
Tomb; Meet with Armenian Genocide Survivors Prior to Meetings with
President Obama and Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan
WASHINGTON, DC - On the eve of Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan's
visit to Washington, DC for the Nuclear Summit, leading Armenian
civic, religious and social service organizations have called on
the Armenian leader to urge President Barack Obama to honor his
pledge to recognize the Armenian Genocide and reject Turkish
government efforts to use the Turkey-Armenia Protocols to delay
international affirmation of this crime against humanity, reported
the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).
The April 9th letter cited the Armenian American community's
ongoing efforts to secure U.S. recognition of the Armenian
Genocide, including the recent House Foreign Affairs Committee
favorable consideration of the Armenian Genocide Resolution
(H.Res.252). This measure passed the panel with a vote of 23-22,
despite strong opposition from the Turkish Government and a last
minute attack from the Obama Administration. The letter noted
broad-based community outrage over the use of the Turkey-Armenia
Protocols by opponents of this legislation serving on the
Committee, and, more broadly, by those seeking to block U.S.
support for a truthful and just resolution of the Armenian
Genocide.
The letter goes on to urge President Sargsyan to stand by his own
words against the misuse of a so-called "historical commission" to
call into question the Armenian Genocide, and also to directly call
upon President Obama and other international leaders to recognize
the Armenian Genocide. The signatories pressed the Armenian
President to announce that the Turkey-Armenia Protocol discussions
cannot continue "given Turkey's unconstructive and antagonistic
posture" throughout the process.
The translated text of the letter is provided below. The official
Armenian text can be viewed on Asbarez.com at:
Sargsyan will join with Armenian Genocide survivors and Armenian
Americans at the tomb of U.S. President Woodrow Wilson, sending a
powerful message about both America's legacy of support for the
Armenian Cause, as well as the enduring commitment of all Armenians
to a truthful and just resolution of Turkey's still unpunished
crime against the Armenian nation.
A wreath-laying ceremony, scheduled for Monday, April 12th at
11:00am, will include blessings by Armenian American clergy
including: His Eminence Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan, Prelate of the
Armenian Apostolic Church of Eastern U.S.; His Eminence Archbishop
Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic
Church of Eastern U.S., and His Eminence Bishop Manuel Batakian,
Third Exarch of the Armenian Catholic Church of America.
The ceremony will be followed by the presentation of a letter from
Genocide survivors to the President and remarks by the President.
During his trip to Washington, DC, President Sargsyan is scheduled
to meet with both President Barack Obama and also with Turkish
Prime Minister Erdogan. The visit, on the eve of the April 24th
international commemoration of the Armenian Genocide, presents the
U.S. President with an opportunity to honor his pledge to properly
recognize this crime, and the Turkish Prime Minister a chance to
announce that his country is lifting its illegal blockade of
Armenia and abandoning its campaign to deny the Armenian Genocide.
Discussions between the three leaders will also focus on the
Turkey-Armenia Protocols, widely seen as a process initiated by
Turkey to extend U.S. silence on the Armenian Genocide from one
April 24th to the next.
#####
Translated Text of Armenian American Community Letter to President
Serzh Sargsyan
April 9, 2010
The Honorable Serzh Sargsyan
President of the Republic Of Armenia
Yerevan Armenia
Dear Mr. President:
As one of the Armenian Diaspora's largest and most organized
communities, Armenian-Americans for decades have been carrying the
torch of Armenian Genocide recognition and the restoration of our
historical rights.
As you well know, one of the latest successes of this long struggle
was the passage of the Genocide Resolution (H.Res.252) in the US
House Foreign Affairs Committee. This was not an easy victory.
Many Members of Congress used the excuse of not jeopardizing the
Armeno-Turkish reconciliation process to escape from supporting
this resolution.
It is imperative that the Armenian people -- of Diaspora and
Homeland -- along with the government, present a common front when
facing such destructive obstacles in our path of international
Armenian Genocide recognition, which will only serve to restore our
rights.
On April 12-13, 2010, you will be present at the Nuclear Security
Summit to be held in Washington, DC.
We therefore call on you, Honorable President, to bolster the hard
work of Armenian-Americans by using this opportunity to publicly
appreciate the passage of House Res. 252, and the Congressmen who
voted for its passage; you will thereby send a message to the whole
world by emphasizing the importance of internationalization of
Armenian Genocide recognition, based on the following principles:
1 - The intergovernmental commission designed to promote
"historical reconciliation" cannot question the historical fact of
the Armenian Genocide. Quoting from your remarks in the April 4,
2010 issue of Der Spiegel: "The creation of such a commission will
undermine the historical facts of the Armenian Genocide. That is
unacceptable for us. The creation of such a commission would only
have a meaning if Turkey confessed to its crime. At that point,
scientists could analyze the reasons for this horror."
2 - The dialogue between Armenia and Turkey and the signed
protocols cannot be used as an excuse to derail the Armenian
Genocide recognition process. Quoting from your remarks in Der Zor
on March 24, 2010: "We do not accept the usage of Armeno-Turkish
rapprochement as an excuse to escape from the recognition of the
Genocide."
3 - Call on the US President and the international community
to officially recognize the Armenian Genocide. As you have said,
"America, Europe, Germany, and all other governments that are
involved in the Armeno-Turkish reconciliation process should
announce their position publicly. If all these governments had
recognized the Genocide, Turks would not make such pronouncements."
4 - And finally, we hope and expect -- considering the
hardening and threatening posture of Turkey -- that while in
Washington, you will announce that the process between Armenia and
Turkey that has begun with these signed protocols cannot continue
because of Turkey's unconstructive and antagonistic posture.
We are certain that our plea will be echoed. We believe that, as
Armenia's President, following Der Zor and Yerevan, you will
continue to call for justice in memory of the Armenian martyrs, in
Washington also.
Armenian-Americans, with our aim of strengthening our nation, will
continue our efforts to preserve our homeland's national security
and future prosperity. It is our expectation that the President of
Armenia and the Armenian government stand with the Diaspora by
utilizing your government's powers in the effort toward the
recognition of the Armenian Genocide and the just resolution our
cause.
We look forward to your strong presentation in Washington, DC.
Armenian Evangelical Union of North America
Apostolic Exarchate for Armenian Catholics
Eastern Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church
Western Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church
Armenian National Committee of America
Armenian National Committee of America Western Region
Armenian National Committee of America Eastern Region
Armenian Revolutionary Federation - Eastern U.S. Central Committee
Armenian Revolutionary Federation - Western U.S. Central Committee
Armenian Democratic Liberal Organization - Western United States
Armenian Rights Council of America
Armenian Council of America
Armenian Relief Society - Eastern U.S. Regional Executive
Armenian Relief Society - Western U.S. Regional Executive
HASG - Armenian American Diasporan Organization
Armenian Genocide Commemorative United Body - Los Angeles.
1711 N Street, NW Washington, DC 20036
Tel. (202) 775-1918
Fax. (202) 775-5648
Email. [email protected]
Internet www.anca.org
PRESS RELEASE
April 11, 2010
Contact: Elizabeth S. Chouldjian
Tel: (202) 775-1918
LEADING ARMENIAN AMERICAN GROUPS URGE PRESIDENT SARGSYAN TO PRESS
FOR ARMENIAN GENOCIDE RECOGNITION DURING HIS U.S. VISIT
-- Sargsyan Scheduled to Lay a Wreath at President Woodrow Wilson's
Tomb; Meet with Armenian Genocide Survivors Prior to Meetings with
President Obama and Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan
WASHINGTON, DC - On the eve of Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan's
visit to Washington, DC for the Nuclear Summit, leading Armenian
civic, religious and social service organizations have called on
the Armenian leader to urge President Barack Obama to honor his
pledge to recognize the Armenian Genocide and reject Turkish
government efforts to use the Turkey-Armenia Protocols to delay
international affirmation of this crime against humanity, reported
the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).
The April 9th letter cited the Armenian American community's
ongoing efforts to secure U.S. recognition of the Armenian
Genocide, including the recent House Foreign Affairs Committee
favorable consideration of the Armenian Genocide Resolution
(H.Res.252). This measure passed the panel with a vote of 23-22,
despite strong opposition from the Turkish Government and a last
minute attack from the Obama Administration. The letter noted
broad-based community outrage over the use of the Turkey-Armenia
Protocols by opponents of this legislation serving on the
Committee, and, more broadly, by those seeking to block U.S.
support for a truthful and just resolution of the Armenian
Genocide.
The letter goes on to urge President Sargsyan to stand by his own
words against the misuse of a so-called "historical commission" to
call into question the Armenian Genocide, and also to directly call
upon President Obama and other international leaders to recognize
the Armenian Genocide. The signatories pressed the Armenian
President to announce that the Turkey-Armenia Protocol discussions
cannot continue "given Turkey's unconstructive and antagonistic
posture" throughout the process.
The translated text of the letter is provided below. The official
Armenian text can be viewed on Asbarez.com at:
Sargsyan will join with Armenian Genocide survivors and Armenian
Americans at the tomb of U.S. President Woodrow Wilson, sending a
powerful message about both America's legacy of support for the
Armenian Cause, as well as the enduring commitment of all Armenians
to a truthful and just resolution of Turkey's still unpunished
crime against the Armenian nation.
A wreath-laying ceremony, scheduled for Monday, April 12th at
11:00am, will include blessings by Armenian American clergy
including: His Eminence Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan, Prelate of the
Armenian Apostolic Church of Eastern U.S.; His Eminence Archbishop
Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic
Church of Eastern U.S., and His Eminence Bishop Manuel Batakian,
Third Exarch of the Armenian Catholic Church of America.
The ceremony will be followed by the presentation of a letter from
Genocide survivors to the President and remarks by the President.
During his trip to Washington, DC, President Sargsyan is scheduled
to meet with both President Barack Obama and also with Turkish
Prime Minister Erdogan. The visit, on the eve of the April 24th
international commemoration of the Armenian Genocide, presents the
U.S. President with an opportunity to honor his pledge to properly
recognize this crime, and the Turkish Prime Minister a chance to
announce that his country is lifting its illegal blockade of
Armenia and abandoning its campaign to deny the Armenian Genocide.
Discussions between the three leaders will also focus on the
Turkey-Armenia Protocols, widely seen as a process initiated by
Turkey to extend U.S. silence on the Armenian Genocide from one
April 24th to the next.
#####
Translated Text of Armenian American Community Letter to President
Serzh Sargsyan
April 9, 2010
The Honorable Serzh Sargsyan
President of the Republic Of Armenia
Yerevan Armenia
Dear Mr. President:
As one of the Armenian Diaspora's largest and most organized
communities, Armenian-Americans for decades have been carrying the
torch of Armenian Genocide recognition and the restoration of our
historical rights.
As you well know, one of the latest successes of this long struggle
was the passage of the Genocide Resolution (H.Res.252) in the US
House Foreign Affairs Committee. This was not an easy victory.
Many Members of Congress used the excuse of not jeopardizing the
Armeno-Turkish reconciliation process to escape from supporting
this resolution.
It is imperative that the Armenian people -- of Diaspora and
Homeland -- along with the government, present a common front when
facing such destructive obstacles in our path of international
Armenian Genocide recognition, which will only serve to restore our
rights.
On April 12-13, 2010, you will be present at the Nuclear Security
Summit to be held in Washington, DC.
We therefore call on you, Honorable President, to bolster the hard
work of Armenian-Americans by using this opportunity to publicly
appreciate the passage of House Res. 252, and the Congressmen who
voted for its passage; you will thereby send a message to the whole
world by emphasizing the importance of internationalization of
Armenian Genocide recognition, based on the following principles:
1 - The intergovernmental commission designed to promote
"historical reconciliation" cannot question the historical fact of
the Armenian Genocide. Quoting from your remarks in the April 4,
2010 issue of Der Spiegel: "The creation of such a commission will
undermine the historical facts of the Armenian Genocide. That is
unacceptable for us. The creation of such a commission would only
have a meaning if Turkey confessed to its crime. At that point,
scientists could analyze the reasons for this horror."
2 - The dialogue between Armenia and Turkey and the signed
protocols cannot be used as an excuse to derail the Armenian
Genocide recognition process. Quoting from your remarks in Der Zor
on March 24, 2010: "We do not accept the usage of Armeno-Turkish
rapprochement as an excuse to escape from the recognition of the
Genocide."
3 - Call on the US President and the international community
to officially recognize the Armenian Genocide. As you have said,
"America, Europe, Germany, and all other governments that are
involved in the Armeno-Turkish reconciliation process should
announce their position publicly. If all these governments had
recognized the Genocide, Turks would not make such pronouncements."
4 - And finally, we hope and expect -- considering the
hardening and threatening posture of Turkey -- that while in
Washington, you will announce that the process between Armenia and
Turkey that has begun with these signed protocols cannot continue
because of Turkey's unconstructive and antagonistic posture.
We are certain that our plea will be echoed. We believe that, as
Armenia's President, following Der Zor and Yerevan, you will
continue to call for justice in memory of the Armenian martyrs, in
Washington also.
Armenian-Americans, with our aim of strengthening our nation, will
continue our efforts to preserve our homeland's national security
and future prosperity. It is our expectation that the President of
Armenia and the Armenian government stand with the Diaspora by
utilizing your government's powers in the effort toward the
recognition of the Armenian Genocide and the just resolution our
cause.
We look forward to your strong presentation in Washington, DC.
Armenian Evangelical Union of North America
Apostolic Exarchate for Armenian Catholics
Eastern Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church
Western Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church
Armenian National Committee of America
Armenian National Committee of America Western Region
Armenian National Committee of America Eastern Region
Armenian Revolutionary Federation - Eastern U.S. Central Committee
Armenian Revolutionary Federation - Western U.S. Central Committee
Armenian Democratic Liberal Organization - Western United States
Armenian Rights Council of America
Armenian Council of America
Armenian Relief Society - Eastern U.S. Regional Executive
Armenian Relief Society - Western U.S. Regional Executive
HASG - Armenian American Diasporan Organization
Armenian Genocide Commemorative United Body - Los Angeles.