Armenian Assembly of America
1140 19th Street, NW, Suite 600
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: 202-393-3434
Fax: 202-638-4904
Email: info@aaainc.org
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PRESS RELEASE
October 17, 2007
CONTACT: Christine Kojoian
E-mail: ckojoian@aaainc.org

ARMENIAN ASSEMBLY URGES MURTHA TO REMEMBER TIBET AND REJECT
"BLACKMAIL" BY TURKEY

Washington, DC – The Armenian Assembly of America today called upon
House Members not to give in to pressure from the government of
Turkey, which is opposed to an important and bi-partisan resolution
that affirms the Armenian Genocide. The call from the Assembly came as
Congress and President Bush met today with the Dali Lama – despite
intense political and diplomatic pressure from China, which opposes
the U.S. having any relationship with Tibet.

"I truly hope that no Member of Congress is persuaded to jump ship on
such a critical vote as this simply because of some threats by a
foreign government," said Armenian Assembly Executive Director Bryan
Ardouny. "The government of Turkey and its million-dollar lobbyists
are effectively blackmailing the Congress and the government of the
United States. We should stand up to the threats and demand that
Turkey immediately cease its campaign of misinformation and threats."

Ardouny noted that the Bush Administration has decided to meet with
the Dali Lama today in a ceremony at the U.S. Capitol, despite threats
and intense diplomatic and political pressure from the government of
China. "If we can stand up to China why on earth we are afraid of
standing up to Turkey," Ardouny said.

"The community commends House Speaker Nancy Pelosi for standing strong
in the face of such threats and for her willingness to bring this
long-delayed resolution to a vote before the full House. As she said
over the weekend, this resolution is long overdue and it’s time for
Congress to stand up and speak out forcefully on a human rights issue
that will reverberate for generations," added Ardouny.

The resolution, H.R. 106, is non-binding and has been introduced in
several previous sessions of Congress. It was approved 27-21 last week
by the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

Established in 1972, 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.

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NR#2007-122