Secretary Clinton distancing State Department from its traditional
stand against Armenian Genocide resolution
26.02.2010 13:34
Yerevan (Yerkir) – Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, in response
earlier today 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.