ACA ADDRESSED ISSUES TO CLINTON CONCERNING US RELATIONS WITH ARMENIA AND TURKEY

armradio.am
27.03.2009 13:30

The Armenian Council of America (ACA) sent U.S. Secretary of State
Hillary Rodham Clinton a letter. In the letter, the ACA addressed
several issues of concern regarding U.S.-Armenia and U.S.-Turkey
relations.

Recently Secretary Clinton visited the Republic of Turkey, and
President Barack Obama has an upcoming trip scheduled for April
5th. The letter stated, "President Obama’s upcoming visit to Turkey,
especially in the month of April, is a unique opportunity for
the United States to encourage the Republic of Turkey to rectify
its historical past in order to develop a strong Armenian-Turkish
relationship and for the future of Turkish nation itself." Secretary
Clinton spoke on the telephone as well with Armenian President Serzh
Sargsyan regarding current affairs.

This April will mark the commemoration of the 94th anniversary of the
Armenian Genocide and an anticipated annual statement is expected
from the White House. "The Armenian Council of America appreciates
the administration’s engagement on these issues and looks forward to
positive statements and fulfillment of their pledges reaffirming the
American record on the Armenian Genocide," stated ACA Board Member
Peter Darakjian.

The full text of the letter is presented below:

"On behalf of the Armenian Council of America and the Armenian
American community, we would like to thank you for your continuous
support and interest in the relationship between the United States
and the Republic of Armenia.

In light of your recent visit to the Republic of Turkey, your telephone
conversation with Armenia’s President Serzh Sargsyan, and President
Barack Obama’s upcoming visit to Turkey, we would like to bring
your attention to a few issues. We acknowledge and appreciate the
United States supporting the normalization of the Armenian-Turkish
relationship and that you discussed this matter with Turkish Foreign
Minister Babacan. We are encouraged that recently there has been
some progress made on this front, and we support the establishment
of diplomatic relations between the two neighbors and opening of
the border.

However, acceptance of the Armenian Genocide should not be hindered
in lieu of establishing relations between the two nations. The
Federal Republic of Germany and the State of Israel have established
diplomatic relations, while at the same time the German people and
government has acknowledged the crimes of the Holocaust. Therefore,
we do not understand the Turkish rgument of deterring acceptance of
the Armenian Genocide and the American acceptance of this tactic.

America as the bastion of democracy and champion of human rights
should nurture these bilateral relations as well as the historical
truth. President Obama’s visit to Turkey, especially in the month of
April, is a unique opportunity for the United States to encourage the
Republic of Turkey to rectify its historical past in order to develop
a strong Armenian-Turkish relationship and for the future of Turkish
nation itself. This will be beneficial for the United States in its
approach of strengthening its and neighborly relations in the South
Caucasus and the greater Near East.

The Armenian Council of America supports the U.S.-Armenia relationship
and cooperation. We favor the continuation of the Millenium Challenge
Account assistance program to the people of Armenia. The United States
has always stood by the Republic of Armenia from the beginning of
its independence in 1991. As we are in the United States, Armenia
is also currently being affected by the global economic crisis. Any
decrease in U.S. humanitarian and economic assistance would affect the
livelihood of its citizens. As part of this relationship, we would like
to encourage the United States to foster the growth of democracy and
a civil society in Armenia. The 2008 Armenian presidential election
and the subsequent clamp down on the opposition hindered the growth
of these critical elements. Without these solid foundations, Armenia
cannot truly develop into a democratic, prosperous, and free market
nation.

The Obama Administration has been very dynamic in implementing its
domestic and foreign policy changes. The Armenian Council of America
and the Armenian A merican community look forward to this leadership
standing by its pledge on acknowledging the Armenian Genocide. This
will demonstrate the administration’s stance that genocide is not
acceptable to the United States regardless of geopolitics.

We thank you and the administration again for your commitment in
improving America’s relations and image abroad, as well as promoting
peace throughout the world."