SECRETARY CLINTON REFRAINS FROM OPPOSING THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE RESOLUTION
armradio.am
26.02.2010 11:08
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, in response to a series of
questions during her testimony before Congress, broke with the
Department of State’s long-standing pattern of aggressively opposing
legislation recognizing the Armenian Genocide, reported the Armenian
National Committee of America (ANCA).
During her testimony before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on
Foreign Operations, Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chair Mark Kirk
(R-IL) noted Secretary Clinton’s previous support for Armenian Genocide
legislation in the Senate. Referring to the impending Committee vote
on a similar resolution, H.Res.252, Rep. Kirk stated: "I hope we do
that; and I hope the House of Representatives does that, and I hope
you let that happen."
Secretary Clinton responded, citing the ongoing Turkey-Armenia
Protocols discussion and continued efforts by the Administration to
urge their ratification, but remained silent on the resolution. In
past years, previous administration’s, both Democratic and Republican,
have used every opportunity to seek to defeat such legislation.
Armenian Genocide Resolution lead sponsor Adam Schiff (D-CA), during
his questioning, stated, "I don’t think the prospect of reconciliation,
as much as I would like it to happen, should be used as a reason not
to recognize the undeniable fact of the Armenian Genocide." He urged
"the Administration’s support on the legislation and at a minimum
certainly not to get involved in opposing the legislation."
Secretary Clinton offered her support for the Turkey-Armenia Protocols,
but, once again, did not attack the Armenian Genocide Resolution
in response to questions during an earlier hearing before the House
Foreign Affairs Committee.
"Secretary Clinton’s remarks represent the third time in just the past
few weeks that a senior Obama Administration official – in response to
pointed questions about the Armenian Genocide Resolution – has chosen
not to voice any opposition to the adoption of this genocide-prevention
measure," said ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian. "The current
Administration’s conduct, at least to date, stands in stark contrast
to past Administrations – both Democratic and Republican – that used
every opportunity to score points with Ankara by attacking the broad,
bipartisan Congressional majority that has long existed in support
of U.S. condemnation and commemoration of the Armenian Genocide."
Secretary Clinton appeared before both Committees to outline the
fiscal year 2011 State Department foreign aid priorities. Foreign
Affairs Committee member Brad Sherman (D-CA) praised the Obama
Administration for increasing its assistance request for Armenia
in 2011, but argued that "Congress should enhance that." He noted
that while the Obama Administration had maintained parity in Foreign
Military Financing assistance between Armenia and Azerbaijan, military
training assistance was not balanced. He also called for a "specific
aid request for Nagorno Karabagh." Secretary Clinton will have an
opportunity to respond to his questions in writing.
"We would like to thank Representatives Kirk, Schiff and Sherman
for speaking out about Armenia foreign aid priorities and once again
urging passage of the Armenian Genocide Resolution," stated Hamparian.
"With the Foreign Affairs Committee set to vote on H.Res.252 and
the foreign aid process in full gear, we are actively reaching out
to our community expand our engagement with legislators from across
the country."
House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Howard Berman (D-CA) has
scheduled a vote on the Armenian Genocide Resolution (H.Res.252)
on March 4th. Over 137 House Members have cosponsored this measure,
spearheaded by Representatives Schiff, George Radanovich (R-CA),
and Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chairs Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and
Mark Kirk (R-IL). A similar measure in the Senate (S.Res.316), led by
Senators Bob Menendez (D-NJ) and John Ensign (R-NV) has 13 cosponsors.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress