KIRK CHALLENGES OBAMA SUPPORT FOR "HISTORICAL COMMISSION"

armradio.am
20.10.2009 11:16

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
thistragic 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."