Armenian Assembly urges President Bush to honor the memory of Hrant Dink
ArmRadio.am
01.02.2007 15:15
In a letter to President Bush last week, the Armenian Assembly
strongly condemned the assassination of Hrant Dink, and called upon
the Administration to urge Ankara to address the prevailing climate of
intolerance, prejudice and repression in the country, which
precipitated this crime. The letter from Board of Trustees Chairman
Hirair Hovnanian further stated that we must act to ensure that
minorities at risk in Turkey are afforded every protection.
Hovnanian’s letter also called upon the Administration to support a
congressional resolution honoring the memory of Hrant Dink and
deploring his assassination.
‘Mr. Dink was assassinated for his political and civic views, and for
the courage to express them openly. As a citizen and journalist, he
championed the cause of democracy and freedom in Turkey. As a
prominent member of Turkey’s Armenian community, he worked to build
bridges between the two peoples and the two neighboring countries of
Armenia and Turkey through tolerance, goodwill, and dialogue,’ Hirair
Hovnanian wrote.
Mr. Hovnanian noted that in his State of the Union addresses President
Bush consistently places great emphasis on freedom. `Hrant Dink
embodied this ideal, which was violently extinguished. We must act
boldly in freedom’s cause and as you have indicated "challenge the
enemies of reform, confront the allies of terror, and expect a higher
standard from our friends." If the "advance of freedom" is truly "the
great story of our time" and America "will lead the cause of freedom,"
then in line with this vision, we must take action to ensure that
minorities at risk in Turkey are afforded every protection,’ the
letter continues.
The Assembly calls upon the Administration to bring its leadership,
weight and authority to urge Turkey’s compliance with these norms and
commitments. They call upon the President to support a Congressional
resolution honoring the memory of Hrant Dink and deploring his
assassination.