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
October 23, 2009
Contact: Elizabeth S. Chouldjian
Tel: (202) 775-1918

TURKISH AMBASSADOR CITES PROTOCOLS IN RENEWED ATTACK ON ARMENIAN
GENOCIDE RESOLUTION

— Turkish Envoy Links Denial to Newly Signed Turkey- Armenia
Agreement in televised VOA segment

WASHINGTON, DC – Turkey’s Ambassador to the United States, Nabi
Sensoy, appearing today on a Voice of America television news segment
on the Senate introduction of the Armenian Genocide Resolution, cited
the newly signed Turkey-Armenia Protocols as a new reason for his
government’s intensifying campaign to block U.S. recognition of this
crime against humanity, reported the Armenian National Committee of
America (ANCA).

Responding to a question on this legislation, the Turkish envoy
stressed: "I hope that there will be no progress on this issue. I
don’t think it was the right time to take this step since the
resolution was introduced immediately after the signing of the
Turkey-Armenia Protocols. It is wrong and sad. I am hopeful that it
[the resolution] will not reach the [Senate] floor."

Earlier this week, Senators Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and John Ensign
(R-NV) introduced the Senate version of the Armenian Genocide
(S.Res.316). The House version, introduced earlier this year, has over
130 cosponsors. House resolution lead sponsors Adam Schiff (D-CA) and
George Radanovich (R-CA) commended their Senate colleagues in a
statement issued on October 22nd, stating "The United States has a
moral obligation to recognize the heinous acts of genocide and all
human rights abuses that have occurred – without that recognition we
are doomed to repeat the atrocities of the past."

ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian, who was interviewed by Voice
of America’s Aram Vanetsyan for this segment, cited the broad-based
support for the Armenian Genocide Resolution from President Barack
Obama, Vice-President Joe Biden and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton
during their years in the Senate. Responding to reports that the
Turkey- Armenia Protocols would harm international Armenian Genocide
affirmation efforts, Hamparian explained that Turkey entered into
negotiations with Armenia, not because of any charitable impulse, but,
rather, because of its desire to somehow derail the growing pressure
of Armenians worldwide in isolating Ankara’s bankrupt campaign of
denial. Armenian Americans will, Hamparian added, continue to press,
assertively, powerfully, and effectively for a truthful and just
resolution of the Armenian Genocide.

To watch the full 3-minute Voice of America – Armenian language
division segment on the Senate introduction of the Armenian Genocide
Resolution (in Armenian), visit: