Armenian National Committee of America
1711 N Street, NW
Washington, DC 20036
Tel. (202) 775-1918
Fax. (202) 775-5648
Email. [email protected]
Internet
PRESS RELEASE
October 10, 2009
Contact: Elizabeth S. Chouldjian
Tel: (202) 775-1918
ARMENIAN CAUCUS AGAINST PROTOCOLS’ HISTORICAL COMMISSION
— Urge Secretary Clinton to End Exclusion
of Armenian American Community; Prevent
"Turkish Bullying of our Armenian Ally"
WASHINGTON, DC – On the eve of the signing of the Turkey-
Armenia protocols, Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chairs
Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and Mark Kirk (R-IL) were joined by
lead Armenian Genocide Resolution sponsors Adam Schiff (D-
CA) and George Radanovich (R-CA) in expressing concerns
about a provision in the agreements that the Turkish
government is already using to call into question the truth
of the Armenian Genocide, reported the Armenian National
Committee of America (ANCA).
"As leaders of the Armenia Caucus in the House of
Representatives, we share the concern of the Armenian-
American community regarding the possibility of creating a
historical commission to review the events of 1915 to 1923.
This is a thoroughly discredited idea," noted the
legislators in joint statement. "Turkey cannot be allowed
to re-invent this tragic part of its history as a price for
normal relations with Armenia. To do so means acquiescence
in a charade that demeans the memory of so many victims."
The statement went on to urge the Obama Administration to
include the Armenian American community in the Turkey-
Armenia negotiation efforts. "As Secretary of State Clinton
and other senior officials work to maintain stability in
the region, we urge them to take advantage of the knowledge
and expertise of the Armenian-American community, which
maintains strong ties to Armenia and is an invaluable
source of information and counsel," stated the legislators.
U.S. Department of Justice records show that Secretary of
State Clinton, National Security Advisor Jones and other
Administration officials have spoken repeatedly with
Turkey’s paid foreign agents, former House Speaker Dennis
Hastert and former House Minority leader Dick Gephardt, but
have not agreed to meet with ANCA representatives, despite
repeated requests.
The Congressional Caucus leaders also cited the stark
difference "in economic, military and diplomatic power
between Turkey and Armenia," and urged the Administration
to, "work to ensure that our diplomatic efforts serve to
end the Turkish blockade of Armenia, without Turkish
bullying of our Armenian ally into unwarranted concessions
or a whitewash of one of history’s true horrors."