Armenian Assembly of America
122 C Street, NW, Suite 350
Washington, DC 20001
Phone: 202-393-3434
Fax: 202-638-4904
Email: info@aaainc.org
Web:
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 22, 2004
CONTACT: David Zenian
E-mail: zenian@aaainc.org
ASSEMBLY LEADERSHIP CONGRATULATES MP ASSADOURIAN ON PASSAGE OF GENOCIDE
RESOLUTION — DESCRIBES MOVE AS VICTORY FOR JUSTICE
Washington, DC – The Armenian Assembly of America Wednesday night
congratulated Canadian Parliamentarian Sarkis Assadourian, the
Armenian-Canadian community and all Canadians on the recognition of the
Armenian Genocide by the House of Commons.
The historic vote passed by a margin of 153 to 68 Wednesday evening. The
passage was a crowning achievement for Assadourian who has fought for
Canada’s recognition since the early days of his election to the House in
1993.
“What the Canadian House of Commons did was a victory for upholding the
truth and honoring the memory of the 1.5 million Armenians who perished in
the first Genocide of the 20th century. We urge President Bush to re-affirm
the Armenian Genocide following this historic North American development,”
Assembly Board of Trustees Chairman Hirair Hovnanian stated.
Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues Co-Chairs Joe Knollenberg (R-MI) and
Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), for their part, said: “We applaud the Canadian
Parliament for its decision to recognize the Armenian Genocide as a crime
against humanity. This action should serve as an impetus for our Executive
Branch to take a principled stand and reaffirm the U.S. record on the
Armenian Genocide.”
Brought to the floor of the chamber as Motion M-380, the Canadian
Parliamentarians gave their resounding approval to “acknowledge the Armenian
Genocide of 1915 and condemn this act as a crime against humanity.”
Hours after the historic vote, Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Bill Graham
distanced his government from the House of Commons decision.
“We agree with the members of the House that the events of 1915 to 1923 were
tragic. Canada has condemned the atrocities committed against hundreds of
thousands of Armenians, including massive deportations and massacres … The
Canadian government also believes that the issue is essentially for the
Armenian and Turkish governments and experts to resolve,” Graham said.
In a footnote, Graham’s office said: “Debates and votes on private member’s
business in the House of Commons are an integral part of the Canadian
democratic process, but private member’s motions are not binding on the
Government of Canada.”
But despite the reaction from the Canadian government, the vote remained a
major victory for the supporters of recognition, which was almost ten years
in the making.
“We have all been waiting for this moment for ten years. It was a very
emotional moment for the more than 200 Canadian-Armenians who were in the
visitor’s galleries of the House. As one MP stood up after another in
support of the resolution, and the Speaker announced its passage, the crowd
roared in applause and shouts of Bravo! Many people could not hold back
their tears as they embraced each other,” Assadourian’s Legislative
Assistant Daniel Kennedy said.
In a telephone communication shortly after the House of Common’s vote
Wednesday night, Anthony Barsamian, Chairman of the Board of Directors
personally thanked Mr. Assadourian.
This was immediately followed by a letter of congratulations which read:
“On behalf of Hirair Hovnanian and Carolyn Mugar, Chairman and President of
the Trustees of the Armenian Assembly of America, we congratulate you, the
Armenian-Canadian Community and all Canadians on this historic passage and
recognition of the Armenian Genocide by the House of Commons.”
“We specifically thank Ms. Dalphond-Guiral of Laval Center for offering the
resolution and you for your persistent effort and commitment in condemning
this act as a crime against humanity and toward full acknowledgement and
re-affirmation of the Armenian Genocide of 1915.”
“Armenian-Americans join today in thanking all Canadian citizens for your
courage in standing up for truth and justice in order that the world shall
never forget this crime committed against the Armenian people.”
The Armenian Assembly of America is the largest Washington-based nationwide
organization promoting public understanding and awareness of Armenian
issues. It is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt membership organization.
NR#2004-043
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress