Armenian National Committee of America – Western Region
104 North Belmont Street, Suite 200
Glendale, California 91206
Phone: 818.500.1918
Fax: 818.246.7353
E-mail: ancawr@anca.org
Web:

PRESS RELEASE
May 9, 2007

Contact: Haig Hovsepian
Tel: (818) 500-1918

Los Angeles Mayor Antonio R. Villaraigosa Donates Books on
Denialist Propaganda to ANCA-WR for Study

Los Angeles, CA – The Armenian National Committee of America – Western
Region (ANCA-WR) has reported that it has received a letter from Mayor
Antonio Villaraigosa regarding a package the Mayor had received from the
Turkish Consul General of Los Angeles.

In the Mayor’s letter, he states that "[T]he Turkish Consul General of
Los Angeles recently sent me, as gifts, two books denying the Armenian
Genocide. [The Turkish Consul General] also sent a letter protesting my
support of House Resolution 106 and my request to Speaker Nancy Pelosi
to bring the Resolution to a vote as soon as possible.

"I would like to donate the books to the [ANCA] so that your
organization can study them and ensure that any attempts to diminish the
gravity of the Armenian Genocide are met with factual retorts. As the
ANCA continues to seek recognition of this horrible act of inhumanity, I
hope that I can be of service in ensuring the memory of over one million
men, women, and children are never forgotten," added the Mayor.

Los Angeles Mayor R. Antonio Villaraigosa has long provided strong moral
leadership on the issue of the Armenian Genocide. Earlier this year,
Mayor Villaraigosa hosted a press conference announcing the city’s new
divestment program in Darfur. At this press conference, the Mayor
unveiled a letter to Speaker Nancy Pelosi urging her to call H. Res.
106, the Armenian Genocide Resolution, to a vote. Additionally, the
Mayor presided over an event with the Los Angeles City Council where the
City of Los Angeles presented the Armenian American community with a
resolution commemorating the Armenian Genocide. Furthermore, just days
after the city commemoration ceremony, Mayor Villaraigosa issued a
proclamation in remembrance of the Armenian Genocide, urging all
Angelenos "simply to never forget."

"Mayor Villaraigosa has yet again demonstrated the impenetrable and
deeply committed nature of his moral leadership regarding recognition of
the Armenian Genocide," stated ANCA-WR Executive Director Andrew
Kzirian. "We applaud the Mayor for this donation of books and will
surely examine these denialist texts thoroughly," he added.

The Armenian National Committee of America is the largest and most
influential Armenian American grassroots political organization. Working
in coordination with a network of offices, chapters, and supporters
throughout the United States and affiliated organizations around the
world, the ANCA actively advances the concerns of the Armenian American
community on a broad range of issues.

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Photo caption: Los Angeles Mayor Antonio R. Villaraigosa (D).