AAA IS DISAPPOINTED AT THE STATEMENT OF BARACK OBAMA
PanARMENIAN.Net
28.04.2009 00:11 GMT+04:00
On April 24, 2009, Armenian Assembly of America (AAA) Chairman Hirair
Hovnanian, sent a letter to President Barack Obama expressing profound
disappointment that the President had omitted the word Genocide in
his commemorative statement on the occasion of the 94th anniversary
of the Armenian Genocide, AAA reported to PanARMENIAN.Net.
That same afternoon, US Vice-President Joseph Biden, Jr. telephoned
Chairman Hovnanian and they exchanged views on the history and status
of Armenian-American community efforts to obtain affirmation by the
U.S. government of the Armenian Genocide.
The full text of the letter is presented below:
"Dear Mr. President,
I am writing to express the profound disappointment of the Armenian
Assembly of America and all Americans of Armenian heritage at the
statement you issued marking the 94th anniversary of the Armenian
Genocide. Your use of the phrase Mets Yeghem was an inadequate
substitute for Armenian Genocide. It was a regrettable retreat from
the expressed promises you made as a candidate.
Armenians around the world applauded your forthright stance when,
on January 2008, you promised, "As President I will recognize the
Armenian Genocide." They were further heartened when in October 2008
you stated "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."
Both in Turkey and in today’s statement, you asserted that your view
of history with regard to what happened to the Armenian population in
Ottoman Turkey had not changed. Yet you clearly acquiesced to Turkish
demands to avoid using the word Genocide. And in so doing, may have
taken a step backwards in genocide prevention around the world. In my
telephone conversation with Vice-President Biden today, we candidly
discussed the history and status of efforts to obtain affirmation by
the government of the Armenian Genocide. I request an opportunity to
meet with you to review this problem and the concerns of the Armenian
community regarding United States relations with Armenia.
As you are aware, the Armenian-American community is actively pursuing
the passage of House Resolution 252 reaffirming the United States
record on the Armenian Genocide. As of today, 107 members of the House
of Representatives have signed on as cosponsors of the resolution. We
are hopeful that the legislation will reach the floor of the House
promptly and that your Administration wd support its enactment.
Mr. President, I am fully aware that issues in the South Caucasus
are at a sensitive stage. The governments of Armenia and Turkey are
in serious negotiations to restore their bilateral relations. That
process is understood to be without preconditions. It must be an effort
that is distinct and separate from the issue of the Armenian Genocide.
Clearly, any agreement between Armenia and Turkey will rest on Ankara’s
willingness to lift its blockade of Armenia and allow the free flow
of commerce and travel. Other aspects of the agreement can not be
dependent on issues unrelated to the direct relationship between
Armenia and Turkey. Specifically, Azerbaijan must not be allowed
to hold an agreement hostage to acquiescence of its terms for the
resolution of the Nagorno Karabakh problem.
I assure you that the Armenian Assembly of America will always support
America’s values and interests. Our mission is to strive to urge
close and enduring friendshp between our nation and the Republic of
Armenia. I look forward to hearing from you."
Respectfully, Hirair Hovnanian Chairman, Armenian Assembly of America