CONGRESSMAN KIRK CHALLENGES OBAMA SUPPORT FOR "HISTORICAL COMMISSION"
PanARMENIAN.Net
20.10.2009 10:52 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Congressman Mark Kirk , 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 and Armenian
Genocide Resolution sponsors Adam Schiff and George Radanovich, 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."