ANKARA – Turkish Daily News
5 August 2004
Armenian group declares support for Kerry in presidential run
* ‘For Armenian Americans, the clear choice is John Kerry,’ says Ken
Hachikian, chairman of the hard-liner ANCA group. ‘Senator Kerry has been a
friend of the Armenian American community for over 20 years, with a proven
track record of fighting hard for issues of concern to Armenian Americans
across the nation’
ANKARA – Turkish Daily News
An Armenian association in the United States known for its hard-line
opposition of Turkey and staunch position for recognition of the so-called
Armenian genocide, has declared support for John Kerry, President George W.
Bush’s rival in the U.S. presidential race.
A recent statement issued by the Armenian National Committee of America
(ANCA) cited Kerry’s “long record of support on Armenian American issues and
President Bush’s retreat from his pledge to recognize the Armenian genocide”
for its decision to back the Democrat candidate.
“For Armenian Americans, the clear choice is John Kerry,” the statement
quoted ANCA Chairman Ken Hachikian as saying. “Senator Kerry has been a
friend of the Armenian American community for over 20 years, with a proven
track record of fighting hard for issues of concern to Armenian Americans
across the nation. He faces an incumbent, President Bush, whose record on
Armenian issues has grown progressively more disappointing throughout his
tenure in the White House,” he went on to say.
Kerry’s overtures to Armenian groups are likely to cause Turkish Americans
to become disenchanted with Kerry. E-mail messages circulating among members
of the Turkish community were calling on Turkish voters not to vote for
Kerry in the upcoming elections.
Armenians claim 1.5 million of their ancestors were killed in 1915-1918 as
part of a genocide campaign at the hands of the former Ottoman Empire.
Turkey categorically denies the claims, saying the death toll was inflated
and that the deaths occurred as the Ottoman Empire was trying to quell civil
unrest.
The parliaments of some 15 countries, including France, have labeled the
20th-century events as “genocide,” but the United States has so far
refrained from doing so, largely thanks to past administrations’ efforts. A
resolution calling for the recognition of the alleged genocide was shelved
at the last minute in 2000 after then President Bill Clinton intervened.
Bush and Kerry are in close competition for the presidency in the run-up to
the election slated for Nov. 2.
Armenian news sites have credited Kerry with labeling the 1915-1918 events
as “genocide” in a statement he issued on April 24, which Armenians say is
the anniversary of the alleged genocide.
“I join Armenian Americans and Armenians worldwide in mourning the victims
of the Armenian Genocide and I call on the governments and people everywhere
to formally recognize this tragedy,” Kerry’s statement carried by an
Armenian Internet site, Armenian Assembly of America, said.
Kerry welcomed the ANCA endorsement, stating, “John Edwards and I would like
to thank ANCA for its endorsement. We are looking forward to working with
all Armenian Americans to create a stronger America, more respected in the
world.”
“We call upon Armenian Americans to compare the respective records of
Senator Kerry and President Bush, to weigh the importance of their ballot
for the future of U.S.-Armenian relations, and to cast their vote for the
Kerry-Edwards ticket on Nov. 2nd,” added Hachikian.
ANCA praised Kerry for consistently being “a leading advocate of issues of
concern to Armenian Americans.” The statement said Kerry, as a U.S. senator,
had forcefully fought for U.S. recognition of the alleged genocide.
American Armenians were recently buoyed by a court decision last week
ordering a U.S. insurance company to pay $20 million to the descendants of
Armenians in the Ottoman Empire. The class action suit against New York Life
Insurance involved thousands of policies sold in the empire between 1880 and
1915, many of which were held by Armenians killed during the civil unrest.
The legal agreement approved by U.S. District Court Judge Christina A.
Snyder is believed to be the first ever in connection with the disputed
event.