Armenian Assembly of America
1140 19th Street, NW, Suite 600
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: 202-393-3434
Fax: 202-638-4904
Email: [email protected]
Web:
PRESS RELEASE
November 04, 2008
Contact: Michael A Zachariades
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (202) 393-3434
ASSEMBLY CONGRATULATES OBAMA-BIDEN VICTORY
HAILS END OF ANTI-EVANS DOCTRINE, ANTI-ISOLATION POLICY AND NEW ERA FOR
HUMAN RIGHTS AND GENOCIDE PREVENTION
Washington, DC – "Change" – it has been the driving theme of the 2008
Presidential election with both candidates promising to change how
things are done in Washington. Across the board on issues important to
Armenian-Americans and their friends, Senators Barack Obama (D-IL) and
Joseph Biden Jr. (D-DE) in their rhetoric and their records represented
positive change, bringing the United States back in line with the
historic principles that made our country great and the Armenian
Assembly of America (Assembly) congratulates them on a hard fought
election victory. This release will be updated as developments continue
to unfold, including with respect to the Congressional Caucus on
Armenian Issues.
Several key issues to the Armenian-American community include reversing
the Anti-Evans Doctrine, ending attempts to isolate Armenia, ending
genocide denial, ensuring the promotion and protection of human rights
consistently around the world, and a peaceful and just resolution of the
Nagorno Karabakh conflict. While Senator John McCain was an early
supporter of self-determination and fundamental freedoms for the people
of Nagorno Karabakh, in recent years he sided with Turkey and Azerbaijan
to oppose reaffirmation of the Armenian Genocide and turned a blind eye
to Azerbaijan’s human rights record.
"By all accounts this was an historic election which provides a
tremendous opportunity for all Americans," stated Assembly Executive
Director Bryan Ardouny. "The new Administration will have a far-reaching
impact over the next four years. The Assembly looks forward to the
immediate revocation of the Anti-Evans Doctrine, and in its place ensure
that all U.S. diplomatic and foreign policy personnel are made fully
aware of the historical reality of the Armenian Genocide and are allowed
to speak the truth freely," continued Bryan Ardouny.
The Anti-Evans Doctrine was formulated by the Bush Administration to
remove Ambassador John M. Evans after he acknowledged the Armenian
Genocide in 2005. Ambassador Evans’ statement, however, was consistent
with former President Ronald Reagan’s 1981 affirmation of the Armenian
Genocide, as well as George W. Bush’s acknowledgement by reference to
the International Center for Transitional Justice analysis on the
Armenian Genocide. In 2007, the Armenian Assembly bestowed upon
Ambassador Evans the distinguished Henry Morgenthau Award for
Meritorious Public Service. The award, established in 1996, recognizes
those individuals who exemplify the courage embodied by Ambassador Henry
Morgenthau, who served as the U.S. Ambassador to the Ottoman Empire
during the time of the Genocide. Morgenthau was the first American to
alert the world of the Armenian Genocide and later established the Near
East Relief Society to help provide relief assistance for the survivors.
Ambassador Evans’ remarks were also consistent with President George W.
Bush’s campaign promise, U.S. policy and legal precedents. However, the
Bush Administration removed Evans for his public acknowledgement of the
Armenian Genocide and disallowed State Department officials from
accurately reflecting U.S. policy. Ambassador Evans is currently working
on a much anticipated book regarding his experience.
The Obama-Biden ticket has consistently demonstrated a rejection of the
Bush Administration’s fundamentally flawed policy on this critical human
rights issue. Specifically, during their tenure in the U.S. Senate and
with respect to the removal of U.S. Ambassador John M. Evans, and the
subsequent nominations that ensued, both Senator Obama and Senator Biden
have pressed for affirmation of the Genocide.
Last week Senator Obama stated "Joe Biden and I believe 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." Senator Biden as Chairman of
the Senate Foreign Relations Committee not only cosponsored S.Res. 106,
the Armenian Genocide resolution, but also spearheaded legislation,
S.Res. 65, honoring the legacy of Hrant Dink and calling for the repeal
of Article 301 of the Turkish Penal Code, which punishes discussion of
the Armenian Genocide. Senator Biden has a career long commitment of
integrity on Armenian issues.
Over the course of the U.S. Presidential race, Turks and Azeris panicked
over the prospect of the election. A senior foreign official issued a
warning to both campaigns that the U.S.-Turkey partnership would end if
they supported affirmation of the Armenian Genocide. Turkey has bluffed
before and other countries have called Turkey’s bluff. Given Senator
Obama’s and Senator Biden’s strong record with respect to affirmation of
the Armenian Genocide Given, Turkey should heed calls to come to terms
with its genocidal legacy.
The Assembly also expressed the expectation that the Bush "Anti-Evans
Doctrine," which penalized the mere acknowledgement of the Armenian
Genocide by U.S. diplomats will be summarily revoked. In a separate
letter to the Bush Administration, the Assembly specifically requested
that the Bush Administration revoke this fundamentally flawed policy
prior to the inauguration of the next President, and called on the
Administration to instead embrace former President Ronald Reagan’s
policy of Genocide affirmation. This Administration, as Reagan’s did,
can avoid the annual exercise of congressional consideration of a
genocide resolution by simply using their constitutional powers to
reaffirm U.S. recognition of the Armenian Genocide.
To view a comprehensive record of the Obama-Biden ticket with respect to
Armenian issues, please visit the Assembly Website. In addition, the
Assembly will issue a comprehensive analysis of the congressional races
and notes that at the time of this release, Armenian Caucus Members with
some exceptions are faring well. Long-time Armenian issues supporter
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) has been projected the
winner, while supporters Senators Elizabeth Dole (R-NC) and John Sununu
(R-NH) are projected to lose their re-election bids.
Established in 1972, the Armenian Assembly of America is the largest
Washington-based nationwide organization promoting public understanding
and awareness of Armenian issues. The Assembly is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt
membership organization.
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