Obama reaffirms pledge to recognize Armenian Genocide
armradio.am
01.11.2008 11:31
With just days left to the crucial November 4th presidential elections,
the Obama-Biden campaign reaffirmed its commitment to Armenian Genocide
recognition and a strong U.S.- Armenia relationship, reported the
Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).
A statement titled "Barack Obama: Supporting U.S.-Armenia Relations,"
relayed to Armenians for Obama Chairman Areen Ibranossian earlier today
as well as the ANCA, affirms that "The
Armenian Genocide, carried out by the Ottoman Empire from 1915 to 1923,
resulted in the deportation of nearly 2 million Armenians, and
approximately 1.5 million of those deported were killed. Barack Obama
believes we must recognize this tragic reality and strongly supports a
U.S.-Armenian relationship that advances our common security and
strengthens Armenian democracy." The statement goes on to note "Barack
Obama strongly supports passage of the Armenian Genocide Resolution
(H.Res.106 and S.Res.106) and will recognize the Armenian Genocide."
"The ANCA welcomes further reaffirmation of Barack Obama’s strong
commitment to issues of concern to the Armenian American community,
including proper recognition of the Armenian Genocide and fostering a
strong U.S.-Armenia relationship," stated ANCA Executive Director Aram
Hamparian. "ANCA chapters and activists across the U.S. will continue,
in these last days, to work hard for the Obama-Biden ticket and the
candidacies of the large number of Senators and Representatives who
have supported Armenian American concerns."
The Obama-Biden statement comes amid a flurry of reports in the Turkish
press regarding a meeting that supposedly took place over the last
several days between a senior Turkish official, Ahmet Davutoglu, and a
representative of the Obama-Biden Campaign, after which Davutoglu
called into question Obama’s commitment to this core human rights
issue.