IN LETTER TO OBAMA, ARF YOUTH IN ARMENIA URGE US RECOGNITION OF GENOCIDE

1596_4/18/2009_1
Friday, April 17, 2009

YEREVAN–The youth organizations of the Armenian Revolutionary
Federation in Armenia have delivered a letter to the US Ambassador
to Armenia urging US President Barack Obama to stand firm on his
positions and recognize the Armenian Genocide in his April 24 address.

The letter, written by the ARF Youth and the ARF Nigol Aghbalian
Student Association, was sent on behalf of the ARF, the Republican
Party of Armenia, and Prosperous Armenia, three of the four parties’s
represented in Armenia’s ruling coalition government. The letter
was also cosponsored by 30 other political parties operating in
Armenia. Orinats Yerkir, the fourth member of the coalition declined
to participate in the campaign.

Sasun Sargsyan, a representative of the ARF Youth Union, discussed
the initiative during a press conference on Thursday. He said the
organization hopes the letter will show the White House that genocide
recognition is a vital national issue, both for the people of Armenia
and its Diaspora.

Turkey has tried to dissuade Obama and the US Congress from recognizing
the Armenian Genocide by asserting the issue is one pushed only by
the Armenian Diaspora. Turkish lobbyists and their cohorts in the
US media argue that a US recognition of the Armenian Genocide will
torpedo diplomatic efforts to normalize relations between Yerevan
and Anakara and is not in the interests of Armenia.

"Taking into consideration that Turkey propagates that only the
Diaspora is pursuing the recognition of the Armenian Genocide,
we decided to prove once again that it’s not only an issue of the
Diaspora, but also Armenia–its political forces, NGOs and youth
organizations."

The letter encourages Obama to fulfill his campaign pledge on April
24 by recognizing "the historical truth [of the Genocide], this time
as President of the United States of America."

"Your recognition of the truth is not only in the interest of the
American people, the Armenians and other peoples of the world, but
it is especially in the interests of the Turkish people," the letter
reads. "By doing so, you will be greatly contributing to putting an
end to Genocide, today and in the future."

Below is the full text of the letter:

Dear Mr. President, You are a believer in change.

We also believe in change.

Changes which are necessary, not only for the United States of America,
but for the whole world.

On the eve of the 94th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, we,
the youth of Armenia appeal to you with the expectation, as you
stated during your recent trip to Turkey, that you haven’t changed
your position on the recognition of the Armenian Genocide. We hope
that you will now fulfill the pledge you have made many times, and
in your annual statement on April 24, recognize the historical truth,
this time as President of the United States of America.

>From the day of its creation, the United States of America adopted
human rights, freedom, and democratic values and humanitarian
principles. As a witness to the tragedy of the Armenians, President
Woodrow Wilson, one of the best proponents of these values, at the
end of World War I, in the name of truth and justice, enshrined the
rights of the Armenian nation.

We are greatly encouraged that the House of Representatives of the
state of Hawaii, where you were born, a few days before the 94th
anniversary, officially recognized the Armenian Genocide and condemned
Turkey’s policy of denial and as such became the 42nd state in America
to do so.

Your recognition of the truth is not only in the interest of the
American people, the Armenians and other peoples of the world, but
it is especially in the interests of the Turkish people. By doing
so, you will be greatly contributing to putting an end to Genocide,
today and in the future.

We believe that you will help in reinstating the historical truth.

Mr. President,

Recognize the Armenian Genocide and future generations of the Armenian
people will always remember you and your people with gratitude

We believe in you.

A.R.F. Youth Organization of Armenia A.R.F. Nikol Aghbalyan Student’s
Union April 7, 2009