Armenian National Committee of America
1711 N Street, NW
Washington, DC 20036
Tel. (202) 775-1918
Fax. (202) 775-5648
Email [email protected]
Internet
PRESS RELEASE
May 28, 2008
Contact: Elizabeth S. Chouldjian
Tel: (202) 775-1918
ANCA WELCOMES JOINT PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE STATEMENT URGING END TO
GENOCIDE IN DARFUR
— Urges Candidates to Speak Unequivocally on All Genocides
WASHINGTON, DC – The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA)
today applauded the unprecedented, bi-partisan joint statement
issued by Presidential Candidates, Senators Hillary Clinton (D-NY),
John McCain (R-AZ) and Barack Obama (D-IL) expressing their
collective commitment to ending the ongoing genocide in Darfur.
"After more than five years of genocide, the Sudanese government
and its proxies continue to commit atrocities against civilians in
Darfur. This is unacceptable to the American people and to the
world community," noted Senators Clinton, McCain and Obama.
"Today, we wish to make clear to the Sudanese government that on
this moral issue of tremendous importance, there is no divide
between us. We stand united and demand that the genocide and
violence in Darfur be brought to an end and that the CPA
[Comprehensive Peace Agreement] be fully implemented." The complete
text of the joint statement can be viewed on the Save Darfur
website at:
tes_Statement/
"A united stand on stopping the ongoing genocide in Darfur sends a
powerful message to the al-Bashir government that ongoing
atrocities against defenseless civilians is simply unacceptable,"
stated ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian. "Only by speaking
clearly and unequivocally on all genocides – from the Armenian
Genocide, to the Holocaust, Cambodia, Rwanda and now Sudan – can we
finally put an end to the cycle of genocide plaguing our world over
the past century."
Presidential candidates Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton had
condemned the Sudan genocide earlier this year in statements citing
their support for passage of Armenian Genocide legislation
(H.Res.106 / S.Res.106) pending in Congress.
On January 19th, Sen. Obama noted "Genocide, sadly, persists to
this day, and threatens our common security and common humanity.
Tragically, we are witnessing in Sudan many of the same brutal
tactics – displacement, starvation, and mass slaughter – that were
used by the Ottoman authorities against defenseless Armenians back
in 1915. I have visited Darfurian refugee camps, pushed for the
deployment of a robust multinational force for Darfur, and urged
divestment from companies doing business in Sudan. America deserves
a leader who speaks truthfully about the Armenian Genocide and
responds forcefully to all genocides. I intend to be that
President." The full text of Sen. Obama’s statement may be read
at:
releases.php?prid=1365
Similarly, Senator Clinton, noting that the "horrible events
perpetrated by the Ottoman Empire against Armenians constitute a
clear case of genocide," went on to state, "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. . . 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."
Sen. Clinton’s complete statement may be read at:
ses.php?prid=1367
In a February 2nd letter to the ANCA, Senator McCain commented that
"It is fair to say that this tragedy, the brutal murder of as many
as one and a half million Armenians under the rule of the Ottoman
Empire, has also been one of the most neglected. The suffering
endured by the Armenian people during that period represented the
prologue to what has come to be known as humanity’s bloodiest
century." The complete letter may be viewed at:
ses.php?prid=1375
The Armenian Genocide Resolution, H.Res.106, introduced by Rep.
Adam Schiff (D-CA) with lead supporters George Radanovich (R-CA),
Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chairs Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and
Joe Knollenberg (R-MI), Brad Sherman (D-CA) and Anna Eshoo (D-CA),
currently has over 200 cosponsors.
On October 10th, the House Foreign Affairs Committee adopted the
resolution, which calls on U.S. foreign policy to properly reflect
the genocide of over 1.5 million Armenian men, women and children
from 1915-1923 in Ottoman Turkey. A similar measure in the Senate,
led by Assistant Majority Leader Richard Durbin (D-IL) and John
Ensign (R-NV), has 34 cosponsors.
Situation in Sudan Deteriorating
Ongoing and escalating violence in Sudan – including the recent
destruction of the contested town of Abyei – reinforces the
importance of this united statement from the candidates. Following
the Justice and Equality Movement attack on the capital May 10,
reports from the ground indicate that the Sudanese government’s
response has been heavy-handed and rife with human rights abuses.
The reports indicate widespread detentions and disappearances,
summary executions, crackdowns on Darfuri journalists and lawyers,
and the looting of Darfuri homes and businesses in and around
Khartoum. Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir virtually promised a
new round of brutal attacks in Darfur on May 20, leaving millions
of civilians in the villages, cities and IDP camps in fear for
their lives.
ANCA activists have teamed up with Save Darfur,
Genocide Intervention Network, STAND, Africa Action and a host of
other organizations in a united effort to end the genocide in
Darfur and strengthen the burgeoning anti-genocide constituency in
the United States. Last week, the ANCA joined Africa Action and a
host of other groups in organizing a rally in front of the U.S.
Mission at the United Nations in New York City to deliver thousands
of handprints and messages from all over the country demanding
decisive U.S. action to end genocide in Darfur and promote peace
for Sudan. To read about that rally, visit:
leases.php?prid=1503
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