Armenian National Committee of America
888 17th St., NW, Suite 904
Washington, DC 20006
Tel: (202) 775-1918
Fax: (202) 775-5648
E-mail: anca@anca.org
Internet:

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 31, 2004
Contact: Elizabeth S. Chouldjian
Tel: (202) 775-1918

KERRY VOWS TO CONTINUE HIS FIGHT AGAINST
THE DENIAL OF THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

— Reinforces Strong Pro-Genocide Recognition Stand
in Message to “Armenstock” Music Festival

“There can be no compromise on the
clear moral imperative to end genocide.”
– John Kerry, August 28, 2004

WASHINGTON, DC – In his strongest campaign statement to date on
Armenian issues, John Kerry publicly committed this weekend that a
Kerry-Edwards administration would “fight against the denial of the
Armenian Genocide,” reported the Armenian National Committee of
America (ANCA).

The strongly worded statement was read by a long-time friend of the
Armenian American community, Congressman Barney Frank (D-MA), at
the “Armenstock – Kef for Kerry” music festival on August 28th in
Franklin, Massachusetts. In the statement, Senator Kerry thanked
the “organizers of Armenstock, Armenians for Kerry and the Armenian
National Committee of America, for bringing so many Armenian
Americans together,” for the music festival. Joining Congressman
Frank in making presentations at the program were U.S.
Representative James McGovern (D-MA), who represents the Franklin
area, and State Representatives Peter Koutoujian (D-Waltham) and
Rachel Kaprielian (D-Watertown). The all-day concert and rally in
celebration of the Kerry-Edwards campaign, attracted over eight
hundred Armenians to hear Armenian musicians and to kick-off a
nationwide voter mobilization and get-out-the-Armenian-vote
campaign for the fall of 2004. The program was produced by
“Armenians for Kerry” and Pomegranate Music Events –
For additional information, visit:

In his statement, Senator Kerry explained that it has been his
“privilege, over the past two decades, to work with the Armenian
community on important issues including U.S. recognition of the
Armenian Genocide, strengthening U.S.-Armenia relations and trade,
lifting the devastating blockades of Armenia and working for a fair
and lasting peace in Nagorno Karabagh.” He added that he is
“honored to have the endorsement of the ANCA,” and appreciates the
organization’s “work to encourage Armenian Americans around the
country to go to the polls in record numbers for the Kerry-Edwards
ticket on November 2nd.” The ANCA endorsed the Kerry-Edwards
ticket on July 25th of this year.

Speaking directly to concerns about the actions of a future Kerry-
Edwards administration, Senator Kerry said,” I want to assure you
that, as President, I will continue to fight against the denial of
the Armenian Genocide. My administration will recognize April 24,
2005 as the 90th Anniversary of this atrocity and will work to
ensure that the lessons of this crime against humanity are used to
prevent future genocides. There can be no compromise on the clear
moral imperative to end genocide.”

During his long tenure in the US House and Senate, Senator Kerry
has consistently been a leading advocate of issues of concern to
Armenian Americans. As a U.S. Senator, Kerry has forcefully fought
for U.S. recognition of the Armenian Genocide, and is currently a
cosponsor of the Genocide Resolution, S.Res.164. In 1990, Senator
Kerry voted on the Senate floor for Senator Bob Dole’s (R-KS)
Genocide Resolution.

The Massachusetts Senator has been a vocal and effective champion
of stronger U.S.-Armenia relations and has consistently backed
legislative initiative to increase aid and expand trade with
Armenia. He is currently a cosponsor of legislation, S.1557, which
would grant Armenia permanent normal trade relations status.

Senator Kerry has spearheaded a number of initiatives to lift the
Turkish and Azerbaijani blockades. In 1991, he was the lead sponsor
of legislation, which was later enacted as Section 907 of the
Freedom Support Act, restricting U.S. aid to the government of
Azerbaijan until its blockades of Armenia and Mountainous Karabagh
are lifted. He also worked for the adoption of the Humanitarian Aid
Corridor Act, which called for US aid to Turkey to be cut off
unless Turkey lifted its blockade of Armenia. As recently as this
January, Senator Kerry formally called on President Bush to press
the visiting Prime Minister of Turkey to lift his nation’s illegal
blockade of Armenia.

For more information about the ANCA’s endorsement, visit:

For information about Armenians for Kerry, visit:

Complete coverage of Armenstock will be forthcoming. The full text
of the Kerry-Edwards statement is provided below.

#####

Letter from John Kerry to Armenstock Attendees:
August 28, 2004

I am sorry that I can’t join you today at Armenstock, and I want to
thank all of you – the organizers of Armenstock, Armenians for
Kerry and the Armenian National Committee of America – for bringing
so many Armenian Americans together today to help move America
forward.

I have been honored to represent tens of thousands of Armenian
Americans as a Massachusetts Senator. And I look forward to
representing hundreds of thousands of Armenian Americans as the
next President of the United States.

It has been my privilege, over the past two decades, to work with
the Armenian community on important issues including U.S.
recognition of the Armenian Genocide, strengthening U.S.-Armenia
relations and trade, lifting the devastating blockades of Armenia
and working for a fair and lasting peace in Nagorno Karabagh.

I am honored to have the endorsement of the ANCA. By bringing
together Armenian Americans from several states in the Northeast,
Armenstock is generating enthusiasm and inspiring political
involvement, especially among young Armenian Americans. I
appreciate your work to encourage Armenian Americans around the
country to go to the polls in record numbers for the Kerry-Edwards
ticket on November 2nd.

I want to assure you that, as President, I will continue to fight
against the denial of the Armenian Genocide. My administration
will recognize April 24, 2005 as the 90th Anniversary of this
atrocity and will work to ensure that the lessons of this crime
against humanity are used to prevent future genocides. There can
be no compromise on the clear moral imperative to end genocide.

Please accept my appreciation for all that you are doing for our
campaign, for our communities, and for our great nation.