US SECRETARY OF STATE PREFERS NOT TO EXPRESS HER VIEWPOINT REGARDING UPCOMING VOTING ON ARMENIAN GENOCIDE
ArmInfo
2010-02-26 11:47:00
ArmInfo. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton preferred not to express
her viewpoint regarding the upcoming March 4 voting on the Armenian
Genocide in US Congress.
As the Armenian National Committee of America reports, Congressional
Armenian Caucus Co-Chair Mark Kirk noted Secretary Clinton’s previous
support for Armenian Genocide legislation in the Senate. Referring to
the impending Committee vote on a similar resolution, 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. ANCA recalls that 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, 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".
According to ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian, 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. "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".
To also note, according to the Turkish and Azerbaijani mass media,
Clinton has allegedly said that adoption of the Armenian Genocide
Resolution by the Congress may hinder the Armenian-Turkish
rapprochement, and adoption of such legislation is currently
undesirable. the House Foreign Affairs Committee will discuss the
Armenian Genocide Resolution On March 4.