Armenian Assembly of America
1140 19th Street, NW, Suite 600
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: 202-393-3434
Fax: 202-638-4904
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PRESS RELEASE
April 27, 2009
Contact: Michael A Zachariades
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (202) 393-3434
ARMENIAN ASSEMBLY LETTER TO PRESIDENT OBAMA EXPRESSES DISAPPOINTMENT IN
APRIL 24TH COMMEMORATIVE STATEMENT
Vice-President Biden phones Assembly Chairman
Washington, DC – On April 24, 2009, Armenian Assembly of America
(Assembly) Chairman Hirair Hovnanian, sent a letter to President Barack
Obama expressing profound disappointment that the President had omitted
the word Genocide in his commemorative statement on the occasion of the
94th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.
That same afternoon, Vice-President Joseph Biden, Jr. telephoned
Chairman Hovnanian and they exchanged views on the history and status of
Armenian-American community efforts to obtain affirmation by the U.S.
government of the Armenian Genocide.
In his letter to President Obama, Mr. Hovnanian reminded the President
of his repeated promises to recognize the Armenian Genocide. Hovnanian
wrote, "Your use of Mets Yehern [Great Catastrophe] was an inadequate
substitute for Armenian Genocide," adding, "It was a regrettable retreat
from the expressed promises you made as a candidate…and in so doing,
may have taken a step backwards in genocide prevention around the
world."
The letter also pledged that the Assembly and the Armenian-American
community will pursue the prompt passage of House Resolution 252, and
requested that the President support the resolution which reaffirms the
United States record on the Armenian Genocide.
Additionally, Hovnanian cautioned that actions resulting from the
framework recently announced by Armenia and Turkey must be "distinct and
separate from the issue of the Armenian Genocide." He further requested
a meeting with President Obama to discuss problems and concerns of the
Armenian-American community regarding relations with Armenia.
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#2009-042
Editor’s Note:
Full text of the letter to President Obama
2009/AAAlettertoPresidentObama.pdf