Armenian National Committee of America
1711 N Street, NW
Washington, DC 20036
Tel. (202) 775-1918
Fax. (202) 775-5648
[email protected]
Internet
PRESS RELEASE
January 24, 2008
Contact: Elizabeth S. Chouldjian
Tel: (202) 775-1918
HILLARY CLINTON SUPPORTS ADOPTION OF ARMENIAN GENOCIDE RESOLUTION;
PLEDGES TO RECOGNIZE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE AS PRESIDENT
— Strong Statement Outlines Views on Issues of
Special Concern to Armenian Americans
"Our common morality and our nation’s credibility as a voice for
human rights challenge us to ensure that the Armenian Genocide be
recognized and remembered by the Congress and the President of
the United States." — Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-NY)
WASHINGTON, DC – Democratic Presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton, in a
forceful statement shared today with the Armenian National Committee
of America (ANCA), called for Congressional passage of the Armenian
Genocide Resolution and pledged that, as President, she will recognize
the Armenian Genocide.
"Armenian Americans from across the United States welcome Hillary
Clinton’s strong support for the adoption of the Armenian Genocide
Resolution, and her pledge to recognize the Armenian Genocide as
President of the United States," said ANCA Executive Director Aram
Hamparian. "Hillary Clinton’s statement, which reflects her
consistent track record of support in public office, speaks powerfully
to our community’s deeply held concerns regarding the recognition of
the Armenian Genocide, the expansion of the U.S.-Armenia relationship,
and a fair and democratic resolution of the Nagorno Karabagh
conflict."
As a Senator, Hillary Clinton has, since 2002, has cosponsored
successive Armenian Genocide resolutions. She joined Senate
colleagues in cosigning letters to President Bush in 2005 and 2006
urging him to recognize the Armenian Genocide.
In recent weeks, the ANCA has invited each of the candidates to share
their views on Armenian Americans issues, and to comment on both the
growing relationship between the U.S. and Armenian governments and the
enduring bonds between the American and Armenian peoples.
Questionnaires sent to the candidates have invited them to respond to
a set of 19 questions, including those addressing: affirmation of the
Armenian Genocide, U.S.- Armenia economic, political, and military
relations, self-determination for Nagorno Karabagh, the Turkish and
Azerbaijani blockades, and the genocide in Darfur. Presidential
hopeful Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) issued a statement earlier this
week.
Armenian Americans, in key primary states and throughout the country,
represent a motivated and highly networked constituency of more than
one and a half million citizens. The ANCA mobilizes Armenian American
voters through a network of over 50 chapters and a diverse array of
affiliates, civic advocates, and supporters nationwide. ANCA mailings
reach over a quarter of a million homes, and, with the addition of
email outreach, action alerts reach well over 500,000 households. The
ANCA website, which features election coverage from an Armenian
American point of view, attracts over 100,000 unique visits a month.
The ANCA also has broad reach to Armenian American voters via a
sophisticated media operation of newspapers, regional cable shows,
satellite TV, blogs, and internet news sites.
To learn more about the Hillary Clinton campaign, contact:
Hillary Clinton for President
4420 North Fairfax Drive
Arlington, VA 22203
Tel: 703-469-2008
Website:
As always, the ANCA welcomes feedback on its
service to the Armenian American community.
Please forward your thoughts and suggestions
about the 2008 Presidential election by
email to [email protected].
#####
Statement of Senator Hillary Clinton on the U.S.-Armenia Relationship
Alone among the Presidential candidates, I have been a longstanding
supporter of the Armenian Genocide Resolution. I have been a
co-sponsor of the Resolution since 2002, and I support adoption of
this legislation by both Houses of Congress.
I believe the horrible events perpetrated by the Ottoman Empire
against Armenians constitute a clear case of genocide. I have twice
written to President Bush calling on him to refer to the Armenian
Genocide in his annual commemorative statement and, as President, I
will recognize the Armenian Genocide. Our common morality and our
nation’s credibility as a voice for human rights challenge us to
ensure that the Armenian Genocide be recognized and remembered by the
Congress and the President of the United States.
If the mass atrocities of the 20th Century have taught us anything it
is that we must honestly look the facts of history in the face in
order to learn their lessons, and ensure they will not happen again.
It is not just about the past, but about our future. We must close
the gap between words and deeds to prevent mass atrocities. That is
why I am a supporter of the Responsibility to Protect. As President,
I will work to build and enhance U.S. and international capacity to
act early and effectively to prevent mass atrocities. The Bush
administration’s words of condemnation have not been backed with
leadership to stop the genocide in Darfur. I support a no-fly-zone
over Darfur. I have championed strong international action to ensure
that the government of Sudan can no longer act with impunity, or
interfere with the international peacekeeping force, which is
essential for the protection of the people of Darfur.
I value my friendship with our nation’s vibrant Armenian-American
community. This is in keeping with my dedication to the causes of the
Armenian-American community over many years. I was privileged as
First Lady to speak at the first-ever White House gathering in 1994
for leaders from Armenia and the Armenian-American community to
celebrate the historic occasion of Armenia’s reborn independence. I
said at the time that America will stand with you as you realize what
the great Armenian poet, Puzant Granian, called the Armenian’s dream
"to be left in peace in his mountains, to build, to dream, to create."
I will, as President, work to expand and improve U.S.-Armenia
relations in addressing the common issues facing our two nations:
increasing trade, fostering closer economic ties, fighting terrorism,
strengthening democratic institutions, pursuing our military
partnership and deepening cooperation with NATO, and cooperating on
regional concerns, among them a fair and democratic resolution of the
Nagorno-Karabagh conflict. As President, I will expand
U.S. assistance programs to Armenia and to the people of
Nagorno-Karabagh.
I look forward, as President, to continuing to work with the
Armenian-American community on the many domestic and international
challenges we face together, and to build on the strong foundations of
shared values that have long brought together the American and
Armenian peoples.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
