Armenian National Committee of America
1711 N Street, NW
Washington, DC 20036
Tel. (202) 775-1918
Fax. (202) 775-5648
Email.anca@anca.org
Internet
PRESS RELEASE
October 31, 2008
Contact: Elizabeth S. Chouldjian
Tel: (202) 775-1918
OBAMA REAFFIRMS PLEDGE TO RECOGNIZE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE
— ANCA Welcomes latest Obama-Biden Statement Calling for Strong
U.S.-Armenia Relationship
WASHINGTON, DC – With just days left to the crucial November 4th
presidential elections, the Obama-Biden campaign reaffirmed its
commitment to Armenian Genocide recognition and a strong U.S.-
Armenia relationship, reported the Armenian National Committee of
America (ANCA).
A statement titled "Barack Obama: Supporting U.S.-Armenia
Relations," relayed to Armenians for Obama Chairman Areen
Ibranossian earlier today as well as the ANCA, affirms that "The
Armenian Genocide, carried out by the Ottoman Empire from 1915 to
1923, resulted in the deportation of nearly 2 million Armenians,
and approximately 1.5 million of those deported were killed. Barack
Obama believes we must recognize this tragic reality and strongly
supports a U.S.-Armenian relationship that advances our common
security and strengthens Armenian democracy." The statement goes on
to note "Barack Obama strongly supports passage of the Armenian
Genocide Resolution (H.Res.106 and S.Res.106) and will recognize
the Armenian Genocide."
"The ANCA welcomes further reaffirmation of Barack Obama’s strong
commitment to issues of concern to the Armenian American community,
including proper recognition of the Armenian Genocide and fostering
a strong U.S.-Armenia relationship," stated ANCA Executive Director
Aram Hamparian. "ANCA chapters and activists across the U.S. will
continue, in these last days, to work hard for the Obama-Biden
ticket and the candidacies of the large number of Senators and
Representatives who have supported Armenian American concerns."
The Obama-Biden statement comes amid a flurry of reports in the
Turkish press regarding a meeting that supposedly took place over
the last several days between a senior Turkish official, Ahmet
Davutoglu, and a representative of the Obama-Biden Campaign, after
which Davutoglu called into question Obama’s commitment to this
core human rights issue.
Last week, the ANCA formalized its longstanding support for Barack
Obama with an official endorsement of the Obama-Biden campaign for
the Presidency of the United States. The ANCA had first endorsed
Sen. Obama in January, 2008, leading up to the critical super-
Tuesday primary elections.
To read the ANCA endorsement of the Obama-Biden ticket and review
all supporting documents of his candidacy, visit:
tes/102408_election.php
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
anca@anca.org.
The complete text of the latest Obama-Biden campaign statement is
provided below.
#####
BARACK OBAMA: SUPPORTING U.S.-ARMENIA RELATIONS
The Armenian Genocide, carried out by the Ottoman Empire from 1915
to 1923, resulted in the deportation of nearly 2 million Armenians,
and approximately 1.5 million of those deported were killed. Barack
Obama believes we must recognize this tragic reality and strongly
supports a U.S.-Armenian relationship that advances our common
security and strengthens Armenian democracy.
Recognition of the Armenian Genocide: Barack Obama shares with
Armenian Americans a principled commitment to ending genocide. That
starts with acknowledging the tragic instances of genocide in world
history. As a senator, Obama has stood with the Armenian American
community in calling for Turkey’s acknowledgement of the Armenian
Genocide. He criticized the Secretary of State two years ago for
the firing of the U.S. Ambassador to Armenia, John Evans, after he
used the term "genocide" to describe Turkey’s slaughter of
thousands of Armenians starting in 1915. Obama wrote that the
Armenian Genocide is not an allegation, a personal opinion, or a
point of view, but rather a widely documented fact supported by an
overwhelming body of historical evidence.
Barack Obama strongly supports passage of the Armenian Genocide
Resolution (H.Res.106 and S.Res.106) and will recognize the
Armenian Genocide.
Genocide Prevention: The U.S. and the entire global community must
remember the past and learn from these crimes against humanity to
make sure that they never happen again. Sadly, genocide persists
today and threatens our common security and common humanity. In
Sudan, we are witnessing many of the same brutal tactics –
displacement, starvation, and mass slaughter – that were used by
the Ottoman authorities against Armenians in 1915. Obama has been a
leading voice urging the Bush administration to take stronger steps
to end the genocide in Sudan. He traveled to the United Nations to
meet with Sudanese officials, visited refugee camps on the Chad-
Sudan border, pushed for the deployment of a robust multinational
force for Darfur, and urged divestment from companies doing
business in Sudan.
Commitment to Armenian Americans: Barack Obama has a strong record
on issues of concern to the 1.5 million Americans of Armenian
heritage in the United States. As president, Obama will maintain
our assistance to Armenia, which has been a reliable partner in the
fight against terrorism and extremism. An Obama administration will
help foster Armenia’s growth and development through expanded trade
and targeted aid. He will also strengthen the commercial,
political, military, developmental, and cultural relationships
between the U.S. and Armenian governments. Obama will continue his
active engagement with Armenian American leaders on the full range
of issues of concern to the Armenian American community to build
upon the enduring ties and shared values that have bound together
the American and Armenian peoples for more than a century.