PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
January 8, 2010
Contact: Press Department
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (202) 393-3434
SECRETARY OF STATE HILLARY CLINTON TO CONSULT WITH ARMENIAN-AMERICAN
ORGANIZATIONSREGARDING THE PROTOCOLS
Meeting scheduled as Turkey continues to link Nagorno Karabakh
Washington, DC – U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will meet
with Armenian-American organizations next month to consult on the
protocols between Armenia and Turkey announced the Armenian Assembly
of America (Assembly). The Assembly requested a meeting with Secretary
Clinton to discuss issues of concern to the community.
"The Republic of Armenia through its President, has taken bold steps,
yet the Republic of Turkey continues its counterproductive actions
with respect to normalizing relations with Armenia," stated Assembly
Executive Director Bryan Ardouny. "As such, this meeting offers an
important opportunity to discuss the Administration’s efforts to hold
Turkey accountable," added Ardouny.
The Armenian General Benevolent Union, the Diocese of the Armenian
Church of America (Eastern), the Diocese of the Armenian Church of
America (Western), the Knights of Vartan, along with the Assembly
issued a joint statement in support of President Serzh Sargsyan’s
initiative "in taking a positive approach to the process of
normalizing relations…." The joint statement also made it clear that
we will continue "to stand firmly with the Nagorno Karabakh Republic
to ensure its freedom and security" and will also continue to lead the
charge with respectto "all those working for universal affirmation of
the Armenian Genocide."
While Armenia has taken a constructive approach, in direct
contradiction to the protocols signed in October of 2009, Turkish
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan continues to link progress on the
protocols to a resolution of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict. In
addition, while in Washington, DC last month, Erdogan, when asked
about the Armenian Genocide on the Charlie Rose television program,
stated that "I can say very clearly that we do not accept genocide.
This is completely a lie."
"In the face of Turkey’s ongoing campaign of denial, we must redouble
our efforts to secure U.S. reaffirmation of the Armenian Genocide and
urge swift passage of the Armenian Genocide resolution in Congress,"
stated Ardouny. Invited to attend the meeting with Secretary of State
Hillary Clinton are: the Armenian Assembly of America, the Armenian
General Benevolent Union, the Diocese of the Armenian Church of
America (Eastern), the Diocese of the Armenian Church (Western), the
Knights of Vartan, and the Armenian National Committee of America.
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.