TURKISH COMMITTED ARMENIAN GENOCIDE RESOLUTION IN U.S. HOUSE
Armenian lawmaker expresses "complete support" for U.S. measure
against Turkish committed Armenian Genocide
2009-03-23 14:54:13 – In a letter sent soon after legistlation
recognizing the Armenian Genocide was introduced in the U.S. House of
Representatives, the Chairman of the Standing Committee on Foreign
Relations of the Armenian parliament expresses complete support for
the measure and writes: " I am confident that the recognition of the
Armenian Genocide by the United Stated not only would not hamper, but
on the contrary will contribute to the prospects of a thorough
dialogue between Turkey and Armenia."
March 19, 2009
The Honorable Howard Berman
Chairman
Committee on Foreign Affairs
U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20510
Dear Chairman Berman:
I have the pleasure to write to you upon the introduction of
legislation recognizing the Armenian Genocide, and to share with you
and your colleagues our complete support for the adoption of this
measure affirming the commitment of the United States to the cause of
genocide-prevention. Armenia aspires for the universal recognition and
condemnation of the Armenian Genocide, and sees it both as a
restoration of an historical justice and as a way to improve the
overall situation in the region, while also preventing similar crimes
in the future.
The Armenian people in our homeland, in the United States and around
the world, remain grateful for the hard work that you and your
colleagues, including, of course Congressmen Adam Schiff and George
Radanovich, have devoted over the course of many years to secure U.S.
recognition and official commemoration of this crime. I am confident
that the proponents of this process are also rightly convinced that
the lack of official recognition of the Armenian Genocide by the
United States has thus far in fact served to make Turkey?s position in
the issue of resolving the Armenian-Turkish relations more
uncompromising. We value these efforts and are, this year,
particularly encouraged by the clear statements of President Barack
Obama and senior members of his Administration in this regard during
the elections.
Please know that I remain available to share with your Congressional
colleagues, either in writing or in person, the principled stand of
the Republic of Armenia in support of universal recognition of the
Armenian Genocide. I am confident that the recognition of the Armenian
Genocide by the United Stated not only would not hamper, but on the
contrary will contribute to the prospects of a thorough dialogue
between Turkey and Armenia. A clear and principled stance by the U.S.
can only assist in developing awareness that the recognition of the
Genocide is not at all a demonstration of anti-Turkish sentiments, but
a necessity emanating from the need to condemn this crime against
humanity. Furthermore, any durable improvement of Armenia-Turkey
relations must rest upon a foundation of shared respect for truth and
justice.
Thank you for your friendship with the people and government of the
Republic of Armenia and for all your support and assistance over the
years.
Sincerely,
Armen Rustamyan
Chairman
Standing Committee on Foreign Relations
National Assembly of Armenia
Web: 19.03.2009letterEn.pdf?lang=arm
(in English)
/Foreign/LetterArm.pdf?lang=arm
(in Armenian)