ANC-PAC MEETS WITH MEMBER OF REPUBLICAN HOUSE LEADERSHIP
armradio.am
31.10.2009 13:02
Members of the Armenian National Committee – Political Action Committee
(ANC-PAC) met with Congressman Thaddeus McCotter in Los Angeles,
California to discuss foreign policy issues important to the Armenian
American community.
The centerpiece of the discussion was the Turkish-Armenian protocols,
Armenian Genocide recognition and President Obama’s failure to honor
the memories of the victims of the Genocide. The meeting took place
hours after the protocols were signed in Zurich, Switzerland. The
signing was delayed at first, but according to press reports, all
concerns were silenced with the assistance of the United States and
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. The meeting was conducted at the
request of the Michigan Congressman who was in Los Angeles and wanted
to meet with the Armenian American community.
"Despite campaign promises to officially recognize the Genocide,
the Administration has failed to deliver on its commitment," said
McCotter. "Further, this Administration has worked with Turkey in
pressuring Armenia into accepting an allegedly neutral historical
commission to determine the facts surrounding the Armenian Genocide.
Importantly, the United States should never support efforts to question
the veracity of the Armenian Genocide, a crime that U.S.
diplomats risked their lives to document."
"Turkey must end its blockade of Armenia without imposing preconditions
and end its genocide denial campaign," continued McCotter. "To
demonstrate its good intentions, Turkey should refrain from issuing
official statements which attempt to link the settlement of the
Azerbaijan/Nagorno Karabakh conflict to diplomatic normalization
with Armenia."
"Congressman McCotter was deeply knowledgeable about foreign policy,
the Caucuses region and Armenia in general. We are encouraged with
the Congressman’s position in the Republican leadership and his vocal
support for our community" said ANC-PAC board member Kris Demirjian.
"The fact that Congressman McCotter took an hour and a half from
his busy schedule during his short trip to Los Angeles to meet with
us shows us his commitment to being a vocal advocate of issues of
concern to the Armenian American community" added Demirjian.
Rep. McCotter has been a strong supporter and vocal on Armenian
issues. He has been a Member of the Armenian Caucus since his election
to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2002. He is currently a
co-sponsor of H. Res 252- Affirmation of the U.S. Record on the
Armenian Genocide Resolution. Recently, in the 110th Congress, he
co-sponsored H. Res. 106- the Armenian Genocide Resolution, H. Res.
102- Condemning the Assassination of Hrant Dink and H.R 6079- End
the Turkish Blockade of Armenia Act. Rep. McCotter consistently
participates in the Capitol Hill Armenian Genocide Observations in
April. He currently serves on the Republican House Policy Committee,
a leadership position once held by former President Gerald Ford.