HILLARY CLINTON PLEDGES TO RECOGNIZE GENOCIDE AS PRESIDENT

armradio.am
25.01.2008 10:10

Democratic Presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton, in a forceful
statement shared 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.

"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," Mrs. Clinton stated.