CANDIDATES FOR AUSTRALIAN PARLIAMENT PLEDGE SUPPORT TO ARMENIAN GENOCIDE RECOGNITION

PanARMENIAN.Net
10.09.2007 12:45 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ In a meeting with the Armenian National Committee of
Australia earlier this week, Federal Labor Candidate for Bennelong,
Ms. Maxine McKew declared she would "unequivocally and publicly"
support the recognition of the Armenian Genocide if elected to
government in the upcoming federal elections. "It was my position
while working in the media and remains my position today," said the
former ABC journalist who will challenge Prime Minister John Howard
for the Armenian populated seat of Bennelong in the 2007 Federal
election. Ms. McKew added: "The Armenian-Australian community has a
kindred spirit in me and if elected, I will advocate for recognition
of the Armenian Genocide by the Government of Australia."

ANC Australia President, Mr Varant Meguerditchian welcomed Ms McKew’s
affirmation, stating: "The 4000-strong Armenian-Australian voters
of Bennelong will wait to hear the position of other candidates,
including Prime Minister John Howard, regarding the issue of Armenian
Genocide recognition before casting their united votes at the upcoming
election."

"Recognizing the Armenian Genocide is the first step toward
ensuring against the repeat of such hateful crimes," added Mr
Meguerditchian. "Ms McKew has set the moral high bar by genuinely
expressing her views concerning this very important humanitarian
issue."