Armenian Assembly of America
1140 19th Street, NW, Suite 600
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: 202-393-3434
Fax: 202-638-4904
Email: [email protected]
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PRESS RELEASE
January 13, 2009
Contact: Michael A Zachariades
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (202) 393-3434
SECRETARY OF STATE CONFIRMATION HEARING: MENENDEZ URGES AFFIRMATION OF
THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE, RECALLS CLINTON’S SUPPORT
ARMENIAN ASSEMBLY PURSUES REVERSAL OF ANTI-EVANS DOCTRINE
Washington, DC – "As the world collectively embraces the irreversible
trend of Armenian Genocide affirmation, today’s confirmation hearing of
Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton is testament to the fact that there is no
turning back," said Armenian Assembly of America (Assembly) Executive
Director Bryan Ardouny. "President-elect Obama and Senator Clinton have
forcefully advocated for genocide prevention and affirmation and are
poised to bring about a new direction in this key policy area, including
the repudiation of President Bush’s anti-Evans doctrine."
The Assembly would like to congratulate Senator John Kerry (D-MA) for
his ascension to the Chairmanship of the Senate Foreign Relations
Committee. Senator Kerry presided over today’s confirmation hearing of
Secretary of State nominee Hillary Clinton (D-NY). Senator Clinton
fielded a broad range of questions and is expected to be confirmed by
the full Senate prior to the inauguration of President-elect Barack
Obama.
During the question and answer session, Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ),
a long-time supporter of Armenian issues, noted the importance of
Armenian Genocide affirmation and the need to move forward, stating:
"[I]f we are to say ‘never again,’ part of that is ultimately the
recognition of what has happened so that we can move forward. And I hope
that you will be an advocate of having us get off of where we have been
and move forward to a recognition of that part of history so that it is
universally recognized so that we can move forward in that respect."
Secretary Designate Clinton responded, "[W]e will be looking very
closely at those and other challenging issues with the eye of moving
forward and being effective in responding to these very legitimate
concerns."
"The Armenian Assembly whole-heartedly concurs with Senator Menendez.
Senator Clinton has consistently supported affirmation of the Armenian
Genocide and the Assembly looks forward to working with the new
Administration to reverse the Bush Administration’s Anti-Evans
Doctrine," stated Assembly Board Member Annie Totah.
The Anti-Evans Doctrine was formulated by the Bush Administration to
remove U.S. Ambassador to Armenia, John M. Evans after he acknowledged
the Armenian Genocide in 2005. Ambassador Evans’ statement, however, was
consistent with former President Ronald Reagan’s 1981 affirmation of the
Armenian Genocide, as well as George W. Bush’s acknowledgement by
reference to the International Center for Transitional Justice 2003
analysis on the Armenian Genocide.
First elected to the U.S. Senate in 2000, Secretary Designate Clinton
has consistently supported efforts to reaffirm the historical truth of
the Armenian Genocide. In addition to co-sponsoring affirmation
resolutions, Clinton also repeatedly urged President George W. Bush to
reaffirm the Armenian Genocide in his annual April 24th statements. In
2006, for example, she signed a letter to President Bush stating: "The
memory of the Armenian Genocide underscores our responsibility to speak
forcefully about our respect for fundamental human rights and opposition
to mass slaughters. It is in the best interests of our nation and the
entire global community to remember the past and learn from these crimes
against humanity to ensure that they are never repeated. We respectfully
request that you refer to the mass slaughter of Armenians as genocide in
your commemorative statement." Senator Clinton also supports expanding
U.S.-Armenia relations and "a fair and democratic resolution of the
Nagorno-Karabagh conflict."
During her historic presidential campaign Secretary Designate Clinton
stated: "I believe the horrible events perpetrated by the Ottoman Empire
against Armenians constitute a clear case of genocide. Our common
morality and our nation’s credibility as a voice for human rights
challenge us to ensure that the Armenian Genocide be recognized and
remembered by the Congress and the President of the United States."
Established in 1972, the Armenian Assembly of America is the largest
Washington-based nationwide organization promoting public understanding
and awareness of Armenian issues. The Assembly is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt
membership organization.
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NR#2009-004
Editor’s Note:
The Assembly press release in regard to President-elect Obama.
The Assembly press release in regard to the letter sent to President
Bush in 2006.
006/04-20-06__2006-037_Over_
200_House_and_Senate_ Members_Urge_President_Bush_to_Acknowledge_the_Gen o
cide.pdf
The Assembly press release in regard to Vice President-elect Biden.
Int ernational Center for Transitional Justice analysis on the Armenian
Genocide.
g/Affirmation.244/current_category.5/affi
rmation_ detail.html
President Reagan’s 1981 statement affirming the Armenian Genocide.
tion.63/current_category.4/affir
mation_detail.htm l