Armenian National Committee of America
1711 N Street, NW
Washington, DC 20036
Tel. (202) 775-1918
Fax. (202) 775-5648
Email [email protected]
Internet
PRESS RELEASE
June 17, 2008
Contact: Elizabeth S. Chouldjian
Tel: (202) 775-1918
SEN. OBAMA REAFFIRMS COMMITMENT TO U.S. ARMENIAN GENOCIDE
RECOGNITION
— "I will continue to speak out in an effort to move the
Administration to change its position," says Sen. Obama in letter
to ANCA Chairman Ken Hachikian
WASHINGTON, DC – With the Senate Foreign Relations Committee set to
consider U.S. Ambassador to Armenia nominee Marie Yovanovitch at a
confirmation hearing on Thursday, presumptive Democratic
presidential nominee Barack Obama restated his commitment to U.S.
recognition of the Armenian Genocide, reported the Armenian
National Committee of America (ANCA.)
In a June 16th letter to ANCA Chairman Ken Hachikian, Sen. Obama
wrote "I share your view that the United States must recognize the
events of 1915 to 1923, carried out by the Ottoman Empire, as
genocide. . . We must recognize this tragic reality. The Bush
Administration’s refusal to do so is inexcusable, and I will
continue to speak out in an effort to move the Administration to
change its position."
Sen. Obama went on to cite his concerns about the firing of former
U.S. Ambassador to Armenia John Marshall Evans in 2006 for speaking
truthfully about the Armenian Genocide. "I was deeply disturbed two
years ago when the U.S. Ambassador to Armenia was fired after he
used the term "genocide" to describe the mass slaughter of
Armenians. In a letter to the Department of State, I called for
Secretary Rice to closely examine what I believe is an untenable
position taken by the U.S. government." A copy of the letter is
available on the ANCA website at:
and/obama072806.pdf
On March 28, 2008, Pres. Bush nominated Amb. Marie L. Yovanovitch
to serve as America’s next Ambassador to Armenia. The ANCA has
spoken to Committee members about the value of carefully
questioning Amb. Yovanovitch on the many issues she will face as
the U.S. envoy in Yerevan, among them the recognition of the
Armenian Genocide, Turkey and Azerbaijan’s ongoing blockades of
Armenia, and the need for a balanced U.S. role in helping forge a
democratic and peaceful resolution to the Nagorno Karabagh
conflict. These efforts have been supported by extensive on-line
outreach and a national postcard campaign to key Senate Foreign
Relations Committee members.
President Bush’s previous nominee as U.S. Ambassador to Armenia,
Richard Hoagland, was subject to two legislative holds by Sen. Bob
Menendez (D-NJ) and was ultimately withdrawn by the Administration,
following the nominee’s statements denying the Armenian Genocide.
The ANCA led the Armenian American community campaign opposing
Hoagland’s nomination, stating that a genocide denier could not
serve as a credible and effective U.S. spokesperson in Armenia.
Individuals will be able to watch the Senate confirmation hearing
live on June 19th on Horizon Armenian television and online at the
ANCA website.
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SENATOR OBAMA’S LETTER TO ANCA CHAIRMAN KEN HACHIKIAN
Dear Kenneth:
Thank you for sharing with me your thoughts on the upcoming
confirmation hearing for the U.S. Ambassador to Armenia. I
appreciate having the benefit of your perspective on this important
matter.
I share your view that the United States must recognize the events
of 1915 to 1923, carried out by the Ottoman Empire, as genocide. As
you know, this resulted in the deportation of nearly 2,000,000
Armenians, of whom 1,500,000 men, women, and children were killed.
We must recognize this tragic reality. The Bush Administration’s
refusal to do so is inexcusable, and I will continue to speak out
in an effort to move the Administration to change its position.
I was deeply disturbed two years ago when the U.S. Ambassador to
Armenia was fired after he used the term "genocide" to describe the
mass slaughter of Armenians. In a letter to the Department of
State, I called for Secretary Rice to closely examine what I
believe is an untenable position taken by the U.S. government. A
copy of that letter is enclosed for your review.
You may rest assured that I will keep your priorities in mind as I
consider relevant matters before the Senate Committee on Foreign
Relations. I hope that you will stay in touch in the days ahead.
Sincerely,
Barack Obama
United States Senator