Armenian National Committee of America
1711 N Street, NW
Washington, DC 20036
Tel. (202) 775-1918
Fax. (202) 775-5648
Email. anca@anca.org
Internet

PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release
October 19, 2009
Contact: Elizabeth S. Chouldjian
Tel: (202) 775-1918

KIRK CHALLENGES OBAMA SUPPORT FOR "HISTORICAL COMMISSION"

"The United States should be leading the world in calling
for recognition of the Armenian Genocide – not supporting
efforts to rewrite history." — Congressman Mark Kirk

— Opposes Efforts to "Rewrite History"

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Mark Kirk (R-IL), the Co-
Chairman of the Armenian Caucus, has sharply criticized the
Obama Administration’s support for the creation of an
"official commission" on the Armenian Genocide, an
initiative long pursued by the Turkish government to cast
doubt on the settled history and thoroughly documented
record of this crime against humanity, reported the
Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).

In a reference to the President’s many pledges to recognize
the Armenian Genocide and his record in the Senate calling
for the full and proper condemnation of this crime,
Congressman Kirk stated that, "Despite repeated pledges to
recognize the Armenian Genocide, the State Department now
supports the establishment of an official commission to
review whether a genocide happened at all. The United
States should be leading the world in calling for
recognition of the Armenian Genocide — not supporting
efforts to rewrite history."

Earlier this month, Congressman Kirk, who has emerged as a
leading contender for the Illinois Senate seat vacated by
President Obama, joined with his Armenian Caucus Co-
Chairman Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and Armenian Genocide
Resolution sponsors Adam Schiff (D-CA) and George
Radanovich (R-CA), on the eve of the October 10th signing
of controversial Turkey-Armenia Protocols, in describing
the establishment of a historical commission as "a
thoroughly discredited idea." The four legislators
stressed that, "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."