Opposition to Turkey’s denial of Armenian Genocide growing

24.03.2006 16:54

YEREVAN (YERKIR) – `While it is hard to compare the strength of
lobbies that are working on very different issues, it is clear that
the Armenian lobby is strong and growing stronger, confident in the
knowledge that as Armenians – in the homeland and the Diaspora – we
are collectively the authors of our own destiny,’ Armenian National
Committee of America (ANCA) Executive Director Aram Hamparian stated
in an interview with PanARMENIAN.Net.

`Here are just a few examples of our progress. We launched the
pioneering California-Armenia Trade Office to increase bilateral trade
and create jobs in the U.S. and Armenia. In just the past two years,
due in large part to our efforts to normalize U.S.-Armenia trade
relations, Armenian exports to the U.S. rose from $37.6 million
(2003) to $45.8 million (2005). The growth of our local ANCA chapters
to more than fifty – particularly in non-traditional states such as
Nevada, Arizona, Florida, and Texas. The increased level of assistance
to Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh, which has amounted to $1.6 billion
since 1991 – and especially the new $235 million Millennium Challenge
grant to Armenia.

The growing opposition to Turkey’s denial of the Armenian Genocide in
the U.S. Congress, the media, and academia. For example, within the
past year the Armenian Genocide Resolution passed a key Congressional
committee by a vote of 40 to 7, a dramatic increase over the 24 to 11
vote on a similar measure in 2000. Also, 38 of the 50 U.S. states
have recognized the Armenian Genocide,’ he said.