Armenian Youth Federation – Western Region
104 N. Belmont, Suite 206
Glendale, CA 91206
Tel. (818) 507-1933
Email: info@ayfwest.org
PRESS RELEASE
June 18, 2008
Contact: Levon Abrahamian
California AYF Members Urge Sen. Boxer to Confront Genocide Denial
During U.S. Ambassador to Armenia Confirmation Hearing
Los Angeles, CA – Initiated in the days leading up to the Senate
confirmation hearing for ambassador-designate Marie Yovanovitch, the
Armenian Youth Federation Western Region (AYF) has launched an
innovative campaign using YouTube video messages to encourage U.S.
Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) to ask President Bush’s nominee frank
questions about the Armenian Genocide.
Sen. Boxer and her colleagues on the Senate Foreign Relations
Committee will consider Yovanovitch’s nomination to be the next U.S.
Ambassador to Armenia on June 19th, at hearings scheduled for 2:15pm
EDT. The previous ambassador to Armenia, John Evans, was fired by
President Bush for speaking honestly about the Armenian Genocide.
"It is vital that the voice of Armenian American youth in California
be heard by Senator Boxer on this human rights issue," stated AYF
Central Executive Chairman Caspar Jivalagian. "We must be certain
that the next U.S. Ambassador to Armenia acknowledges the acts of 1915
as Genocide and we believe our video messages will accurately and
effectively convey our expectations," he added.
Advocacy efforts by the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA)
to "End the Gag Rule" on the Armenian Genocide have included web
faxes, a national postcard campaign to Members of Congress, and an
extensive ad campaign on key Congressional websites, including The
Hill, CQPolitics, and Politico. The ads are currently running on
RollCall.com. The video messages prepared by the AYF add a new
dimension to the grassroots efforts of the Armenian American
community.
On March 28, 2008, President Bush nominated Amb. Marie L. Yovanovitch
to serve as America’s next Ambassador to Armenia. President Bush’s
previous nominee as U.S. Ambassador to Armenia, Richard Hoagland, was
subject to two legislative holds by U.S. Senator Robert Menendez
(D-NJ) and was ultimately withdrawn by the Administration, following
the nominee’s statements denying the Armenian Genocide.
As the Yovanovitch confirmation hearing approached, presumptive
Democratic presidential nominee and Senate Foreign Relations Committee
member Barack Obama restated his commitment to U.S. recognition of the
Armenian Genocide. In a letter to ANCA Chairman Ken Hachikian, Senator
Obama wrote, "I share your view that the United States must recognize
the events of 1915 to 1923, carried out by the Ottoman Empire, as
genocide. . . We must recognize this tragic reality. The Bush
Administration’s refusal to do so is inexcusable, and I will continue
to speak out in an effort to move the Administration to change its
position."
A sampling of links to video messages sent by AYF members to Senator
Boxer is provided below:
http://you tube.com/watch?v=kiElQMQu12Q
atch?v=kwv_Cnht_CY
77v73E3A
Founded in 1933, the Armenian Youth Federation (AYF) has grown to
become the largest and most influential Armenian American youth
organization; with chapters throughout the United States and
affiliated organizations around the world. Inspired by our past and
motivated by the needs of the future, the AYF actively strives to
advance the social, political, educational and cultural awareness of
all Armenian youth.