PROFITING FROM GENOCIDE DENIAL: DEFENSE INDUSTRY CEO’S URGE CONGRESS TO OPPOSE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE LEGISLATION
Yerkir
04.03.2010 16:00
Yerevan (Yerkir) – Placing profit over human rights, the Chief
Executive Officers of five top defense firms have urged Congress to
block a measure calling for U.S. affirmation of the Armenian Genocide,
reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).
"Lobbying against genocide recognition for financial gain is morally
reprehensible – whether it’s the Armenian Genocide, the Holocaust
or the ongoing genocide in Darfur," said ANCA Executive Director
Aram Hamparian. "The CEO’s of Lockheed, Boeing, Raytheon, United
Technologies and Northrop Grumman should be ashamed of themselves –
trampling on the memory of 1.5 million men, women and children to
justify their salaries."
In a letter to House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Howard Berman,
just days before his Committee considers H.Res.252 – the Armenian
Genocide resolution , leaders of Lockheed Martin Corporation,
Boeing Corporation, Raytheon Corporation, United Technologies and
Northrop Grumman warned of "alienating a significant NATO ally and
trading partner" and "negative repercussions for U.S. geopolitical
interests."
However trade statistics from the Organization for Economic Cooperation
and Development tell a different story. Turkey’s trade levels with
countries, which have recognized the Armenian Genocide since 1995,
have increased between 24% and 351%. U.S. trade with Turkey has
increased ten-fold since President Ronald Reagan cited the Armenian
Genocide in a Presidential Proclamation in 1981.
"The statistics prove that Turkey’s doomsday trade scenarios are
hollow," said Hamparian. "Once again, the Turkish lobby is using
threats and intimidation to gag America from speaking truthfully
about the Armenian Genocide."
Spearheaded by Representatives Adam Schiff (D-CA), George Radanovich
(R-CA), and Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and Mark Kirk (R-IL), the Armenian
Genocide Resolution H.Res.252, calls upon the President to properly
characterize the annihilation of 1.5 million Armenians from 1915-1923
as genocide and to ensure that the foreign policy of the United States
reflects appropriate understanding and sensitivity concerning issues
related to human rights, ethnic cleansing, and genocide.
The resolution currently has over 137 cosponsors. While in the Senate,
President Barack Obama, Vice-President Joseph Biden and Secretary of
State Hillary Clinton had supported similar legislation.