Armenian Genocide Bill 2007

[MosJan]

San Francisco Board of Supervisors calls Pelosi to schedule a vote on H.Res.106 02.11.2007 14:38 GMT+04:00 http://www.panarmenian.net/news/images/ico_print.gif http://www.panarmenian.net/news/images/ico_mail.gif http://www.panarmenian.net/news/images/ico_rus.gif http://www.panarmenian.net/news/images/ico_arm.gif /PanARMENIAN.Net/ The San Francisco Board of Supervisors today adopted by unanimous vote a resolution calling upon the Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi (D-CA-08), to continue to support and immediately schedule a vote on the Armenian Genocide Resolution (H.Res.106).

 

"It is time for our government to speak with moral clarity on the historical record of the Armenian Genocide rather than be bullied by Turkey’s brazen threats," said Haig Baghdassarian, a representative of the Bay Area Armenian National Committee who attended the Board of Supervisors meeting. "The Board of Supervisors vote demonstrates the support for the Armenian Genocide Resolution by the people of San Francisco."

 

San Francisco Board of Supervisors President Aaron Peskin introduced the resolution in support of H.Res.106 on October 23rd, which was immediately cosponsored by nine fellow supervisors. President Peskin introduced the San Francisco measure to support San Francisco’s Congressional members in their effort to promote a just U.S. policy regarding the Armenian Genocide. Calling upon the Speaker to schedule a full vote on the bill, the San Francisco resolution states "the proper recognition of the crime of genocide and other crimes against humanity should never be sacrificed for perceived political benefits."

 

October 24, in a letter sent to Speaker Pelosi, lead author Adam Schiff (D-CA), Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chair Frank Pallone (D-NJ), and Representatives Brad Sherman (D-CA) and Anna Eshoo (D-CA) stressed that, in asking for this delay, "we believe that a large majority of our colleagues want to support a resolution recognizing the genocide on the House floor and that they will do so, provided the timing is more favorable." The letter goes on to note that they will continue to work with Speaker Pelosi’s staff and the House Foreign Affairs Committee staff to bring up the resolution "sometime later this year or in 2008."

 

October 10, with a vote 27 to 21 the U.S. House Committee on Foreign Affairs adopted the Armenian Genocide Resolution, H.Res.106, which was introduced by Representative Adam Schiff January 30, 2007.

 

 

[Yervant1]

Robert Fisk: Holocaust denial in the White House

The Turks say the Armenians died in a 'civil war', and Bush goes along

with their lies

 

The Independent/UK

Published: 10 November 2007

 

 

How are the mighty fallen! President George Bush, the crusader king who

would draw the sword against the forces of Darkness and Evil, he who

said there was only "them or us", who would carry on, he claimed, an

eternal conflict against "world terror" on our behalf; he turns out,

well, to be a wimp. A clutch of Turkish generals and a

multimillion-dollar public relations campaign on behalf of Turkish

Holocaust deniers have transformed the lion into a lamb. No, not even a

lamb ` for this animal is, by its nature, a symbol of innocence ` but

into a household mouse, a little diminutive creature which, seen from

afar, can even be confused with a rat. Am I going too far? I think not.

 

The "story so far" is familiar enough. In 1915, the Ottoman Turkish

authorities carried out the systematic genocide of one and a half

million Christian Armenians. There are photographs, diplomatic reports,

original Ottoman documentation, the process of an entire post-First

World War Ottoman trial, Winston Churchill and Lloyd George and a

massive report by the British Foreign Office in 1915 and 1916 to prove

that it is all true. Even movie film is now emerging ` real archive

footage taken by Western military cameramen in the First World War ` to

show that the first Holocaust of the 20th century, perpetrated in front

of German officers who would later perfect its methods in their

extermination of six million Jews, was as real as its pitifully few

Armenian survivors still claim.

 

But the Turks won't let us say this. They have blackmailed the Western

powers ` including our own British Government, and now even the US ` to

kowtow to their shameless denials. These (and I weary that we must

repeat them, because every news agency and government does just that

through fear of Ankara's fury) include the canard that the Armenians

died in a "civil war", that they were anyway collaborating with

Turkey's Russian enemies, that fewer Armenians were killed than have

been claimed, that as many Turkish Muslims were murdered as Armenians.

 

And now President Bush and the United States Congress have gone along

with these lies. There was, briefly, a historic moment for Bush to walk

tall after the US House Foreign Relations Committee voted last month to

condemn the mass slaughter of Armenians as an act of genocide. Ancient

Armenian-American survivors gathered at a House panel to listen to the

debate. But as soon as Turkey's fossilised generals started to threaten

Bush, I knew he would give in.

 

Listen, first, to General Yasar Buyukanit, chief of the Turkish armed

forces, in an interview with the newspaper Milliyet. The passage of the

House resolution, he whinged, was "sad and sorrowful" in view of the

"strong links" Turkey maintained with its Nato partners. And if this

resolution was passed by the full House of Representatives, then "our

military relations with the US would never be as they were in the

past... The US, in that respect, has shot itself in the foot".

 

Now listen to Mr Bush as he snaps to attention before the Turkish

general staff. "We all deeply regret the tragic suffering (sic) of the

Armenian people... But this resolution is not the right response to

these historic mass killings. Its passage would do great harm to our

relations with a key ally in Nato and in the global war on terror." I

loved the last bit about the "global war on terror". Nobody ` save for

the Jews of Europe ` has suffered "terror" more than the benighted

Armenians of Turkey in 1915. But that Nato should matter more than the

integrity of history ` that Nato might one day prove to be so important

that the Bushes of this world may have to equivocate over the Jewish

Holocaust to placate a militarily resurgent Germany ` beggars belief.

 

Among those men who should hold their heads in shame are those who

claim they are winning the war in Iraq. They include the increasingly

disoriented General David Petraeus, US commander in Iraq, and the

increasingly delusional US ambassador to Baghdad, Ryan Crocker, both of

whom warned that full passage of the Armenian genocide bill would "harm

the war effort in Iraq". And make no mistake, there are big bucks

behind this disgusting piece of Holocaust denial.

 

Former Representative Robert L Livingston, a Louisiana Republican, has

already picked up $12m from the Turks for his company, the Livingston

Group, for two previously successful attempts to pervert the cause of

moral justice and smother genocide congressional resolutions. He

personally escorted Turkish officials to Capitol Hill to threaten US

congressmen. They got the point. If the resolution went ahead, Turkey

would bar US access to the Incirlik airbase through which passed much

of the 70 per cent of American air supplies to Iraq which transit

Turkey.

 

In the real world, this is called blackmail ` which was why Bush was

bound to cave in. Defence Secretary Robert Gates was even more

pusillanimous ` although he obviously cared nothing for the details of

history. Petraeus and Crocker, he said, "believe clearly that access to

the airfields and to the roads and so on in Turkey would be very much

put at risk if this resolution passes...".

 

How terrible an irony did Gates utter. For it is these very "roads and

so on" down which walked the hundreds of thousands of Armenians on

their 1915 death marches. Many were forced aboard cattle trains which

took them to their deaths. One of the railway lines on which they

travelled ran due east of Adana ` a great collection point for the

doomed Christians of western Armenia ` and the first station on the

line was called Incirlik, the very same Incirlik which now houses the

huge airbase that Mr Bush is so frightened of losing.

 

Had the genocide that Bush refuses to acknowledge not taken place ` as

the Turks claim ` the Americans would be asking the Armenians for

permission to use Incirlik. There is still alive ` in Sussex if anyone

cares to see her ` an ageing Armenian survivor from that region who

recalls the Ottoman Turkish gendarmes setting fire to a pile of living

Armenian babies on the road close to Adana. These are the same "roads

and so on" that so concern the gutless Mr Gates.

 

But fear not. If Turkey has frightened the boots off Bush, he's still

ready to rattle the cage of the all-powerful Persians. People should be

interested in preventing Iran from acquiring the knowledge to make

nuclear weapons if they're "interested in preventing World War Three",

Bush has warned us. What piffle. Bush can't even summon up the courage

to tell the truth about World War One.

 

Who would have thought that the leader of the Western world ` he who

would protect us against "world terror" ` would turn out to be the

David Irving of the White House?

 

[MosJan]

National Council of Churches of Christ in USA calls on Congress to recognize Armenian Genocide

12.11.2007 12:23 GMT+04:00 Print version Send to mail In Russian In Armenian

 

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ November 7, 2007, the General Assembly of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA (NCC) and Church World Service (CWS), holding its annual meeting here November 6-8, urged the U.S. House of Representatives to pass legislation recognizing the slaughter of Armenians in 1915 as Genocide.

 

The resolution put forward by the Rev. Arem Jabejian, an Armenian Orthodox priest from Chicago, was passed by voice vote with six persons requesting to be counted as abstaining.

 

In its business session Wednesday afternoon, the General Assembly also reaffirmed the NCC and CWS commitment to Middle East peace, and received "A Social Creed for the 21st Century" approved in September by the NCC Governing Board.

 

The Armenian genocide statement as amended and approved by the General Assembly said it is "unacceptable that the United States has yet to officially recognize the Genocide of 1915, which in fact decimated a majority of the Armenian population then living in Asia Minor."

 

The statement cited House Resolution 106 "acknowledging this universally recognized historical fact (and) condemning this crime against humanity." Most historians agree that the slaughter was carried out by soldiers of the then Ottoman Turk Empire.

 

The House leadership decided not to place the legislation before the House because of objections from the Bush Administration, which said it would harm relations between the U.S. and Turkey, a NATO ally.

 

"As persons of faith, we express our concern that the truth was not upheld by our elected representatives," the resolution states.

 

The statement posted on the NCC web site "strongly urges the leadership of the U.S. House of Representatives to bring forth this legislation before the end of this Congress."

 

The General Assembly also passed by unanimous voice vote a "Reaffirmation of Our Commitment to Peace in the Middle East in Light of the 1980 Middle East Policy Statement.

 

Noting that the Middle East situation has deteriorated since the hopeful days of the 1980 Camp David Peace Accords, the updated policy reaffirms commitments to peace, including encouragement of a responsible discourse in the Middle East; a focus on issues of particular importance related to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict; concern for the alarming diminution of the Christian community of the Middle East; and appreciation for interfaith sensitivities among Christians, Jews and Muslims, as well as people of other faiths.

 

"The member communions of the NCC have a profound connection to the Holy Land,"

the statement acknowledges. "It is the place where God was revealed in Jesus Christ through the power of the Spirit ... Therefore, we reaffirm these commitments, cognizant of the role our nation plays in the Middle East, to remind ourselves of the urgent need to influence our country to take right and moral actions in the region."

 

"A Social Creed for the 21st Century" is an update of the Social Creed of 1908 developed by the NCC’s predecessor organization, the Federal Council of Churches.

 

"Just as the churches responded to the harshness of early 20th century industrialization," declares the creed’s background statement, "we offer a vision of a society that shares more and consumes less, seeks compassion over suspicion and equality over domination, and finds security in joined hands rather than massed arms."

 

The National Council of Churches USA is the ecumenical voice of 35 of America’s Orthodox, Protestant, Anglican, historic African American and traditional peace churches. These NCC member communions have 45 million faithful members in 100,000 congregations in all 50 states.

 

Church World Service is the relief, development, and refugee assistance agency of these same communions, working in 80 countries around the world to eradicate hunger and poverty and promote peace and justice.

 

[Yervant1]

What a clown! We'll do that (Historical research) after you do yours.

 

 

 

SHIMON PERES: IT WOULD BE LOGICAL TO ASSESS EVENTS OF EARLY 20TH CENTURY BASING ON HISTORICAL RESEARCH

 

PanARMENIAN.Net

13.11.2007 16:59 GMT+04:00

 

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ During a joint press conference with the Turkish

President, Israeli leader Shimon Peres touched upon the Armenian

issue and the Armenian Genocide resolution.

 

"Israel has always supported and will support Turkey's proposal to

form a joint commission of historians. It would be logical to assess

events of the early 20th century basing on a historical research,"

he said, Yerkir online reports.

 

[Yervant1]

Hypocrisy at the top level, the definition keeps changing as the time goes by.

Few weeks ago, "It was Genocide but it's not the right time now",

Now "It was Genocide but we are looking forward now",

Tomorrow ?

 

 

IF OUR FRIENDS DO IT, IT IS NOT GENOCIDE

 

Corporate Crime Reporter, DC

Nov 13 2007

 

21 Corporate Crime Reporter 45, November 13, 2007

 

The Genocide Prevention Task Force was unveiled at the National Press

Club this morning.

 

The task force is being co-chair by former Secretary of State Madeline

Albright and former Secretary of Defense William Cohen.

 

It's being convened by the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum,

the American Academy of Diplomacy, and the United States Institute

of Peace.

 

In addition to Cohen and Albright, its members include: John Danforth,

Tom Daschle, Stuart Eizenstat, Michael Gerson, Dan Glickman, Jack

Kemp, Gabrielle Kirk McDonald, Tom Pickering, Julia Taft, Vin Weber,

and Anthony Zinni.

 

"The world agrees that genocide is unacceptable and yet genocide

and mass killings continue," Albright said. "Our challenge is to

match words to deeds and stop allowing the unacceptable. That task -

simple on the surface - is in fact one of the most persistent puzzles

of our times. We have a duty to find the answer before the vow of

'never again' is once again betrayed."

 

"We are convinced that the U.S. government can and must do better in

preventing genocide - a crime that threatens not only our values but

our national interests," Cohen said.

 

But after the opening remarks, Cohen and Albright hit a buzz saw of

skeptical questioning from reporters in the First Amendment Room.

 

"How do you reconcile your work in trying to build a moral American

consensus against genocide when just very recently each of you signed

letters urging America not to recognize the Armenian genocide?" a

reporter asked Cohen and Albright.

"This mission is about the future," Albright answered. "We want to

look at ways to try and prevent genocide and mass killing. That is the

purpose of this task force. The former Secretaries of State recognized

that terrible things happened to the Armenians and tragedies. The

letter was primarily about whether this was the appropriate time to

raise the issue."

 

"The fact is that all of us who signed were concerned about the level

of killings and the human suffering that took place between 1915 and

1923," Cohen said. "There was also a very deliberate decision to say

that we are engaged in warfare at the moment. We have our sons and

daughters who are at risk. And we felt that to have the resolution

brought might result in reactions on the part of the Turkish government

that could place our sons and daughters in greater jeopardy. It was

a very practical decision that was made. This was not to say that

we overlooked what took place in the past. We are saying - at this

point forward, what do we do? How do we marshal public opinion? How

do we marshal political action? How do we generate the will to take

action in a society that has been reluctant to do so in the past? It

involves multiple levels of complexity."

 

"If we are saying that this isn't the right time to acknowledge

this genocide, does that mean that you are arguing that for political

expedience purposes, we are not going to be taking action on nor should

we take action on future genocides because of what are perceived to

be U.S. interests?" another reporter asked.

"We are saying there are no absolutes in this," Cohen answered. "We

are going to try and set forth a set of principles that will serve as

a guide. And hopefully that guide will allow political leadership in

this country and elsewhere. This is not something where the United

States is advocating unilateral action. We are talking about the

United States taking a lead to help shape public opinion - certainly

domestically but also internationally. And this will involve multiple

considerations, multiple political factors that have to be taken into

account. We hope this endeavor will be successful in pursuing mass

killings and genocide in the future."

 

"I also do think that it is important to recognize that even if

terrible things happened in the past, they do not need to happen in

the future," Albright said. "And that is what this is about. In no

way does it put the Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval on anybody's

behavior. On the contrary. It is to examine people's behavior. It is

very important for us to move forward."

 

"It sounds as if you are both saying - if our friends do it, it is

not genocide," said another reporter. "And if our enemies do it,

it is genocide. Professor at the University of Haifa, Ilan Pappe,

has written recently that he believes there is genocide ongoing in

Gaza and ethnic cleansing in the West Bank. But you folks wouldn't

agree with that because Israel is our friend and we couldn't say that

about Israel. Secretary Cohen, you say - we can't say that about Turkey

and the Armenian genocide because our boys and girls are in harm's way.

 

If you are going to define genocide by who does it, not by what it is,

your task force is in trouble."

"I don't know that even the UN has declared that genocide occurred in

the Armenian situation," Cohen said. "We are trying to look forward

rather than backwards. On the issue of whether genocide is taking

place in the West Bank and Gaza - certainly that will be part of

[what] the task force [is] looking at."

 

"Yes, there is an element of pragmatism," Cohen said. "If someone

else's son or daughter is in harm's way, that is a factor that I as

an American citizen and as a former Secretary of Defense would have to

take into account. And would. And I think anyone serving public office

necessarily has to have a set factors to take into account. It is not

absolute. This will not be a document that says - this is when the line

is crossed, this is the action that will be taken. These are going

to be guidelines. They themselves will serve a valuable purpose. It

will help to at least raise the issue to a level of both domestic and

international concern - hopefully stirring action. That is our goal."

 

"When you are in the government, and you have to make very tough

decisions, you have to look at the overall picture," Albright said.

 

"Otherwise, we are not going to get off the ground. These are very,

very hard issues. I would definitely not accept your definition - if

friends do it, it's okay, and if enemies do it, it is not. I find that

just an unacceptable premise. This task force is going to set forth

guidelines for practical action by the United States government. Which

is why we want to present this by the end of next year."

 

"You can have all kinds of emotional arguments why something is wrong

and then you never get it off the ground," she said. "You ultimately

have to take practical action. That is what is happening in the

United States. We are not going to get ourselves into emotional

appeals. Because that is not going to work. We are interested in

practical steps."

 

"The experience of the Armenians does indeed conform with the UN

Convention," another reporter shot back at Cohen. "In fact, Elie Wiesel

has said that the denial of the genocide is the final stage of the

genocide. The two of you have personally worked toward ascertaining

that the United States government does not take a stand recognizing

the Armenian genocide. This is of course based on real, practical

political considerations, that you mentioned. However, taking on this

new role, how can you reconcile your positions and the U.S. foreign

policy? How can you provide credibility that your recommendations

will be of use to the United States in its foreign policy and will

not be words on a piece of paper that will be acceptable but the US

will not follow up on?"

"You talk about political expediency," Cohen responded. "As Secretary

of Defense, I had responsibility for every man and woman who was

serving in our armed forces. And yes, I would have to take into

account whether or not I was placing them in greater jeopardy in

order to make a declaration for something that happened back between

1915 and 1923. I would have to weigh that. And frankly, I think the

former Secretaries of Defense - Republicans and Democrats alike -

all came to the same conclusion. We could not put our men and women

in greater danger under these circumstances. Does that mean that

we are not in a position to look forward and say - here are some of

the things that happened in the past, here are some of the things we

did not do in the past, here is something that needs to be done in

the future? There is no absolute right or wrong. It's not all black

and white. We are going to have to take these into account. You as

a private citizen will be in a position to say - here is a document

issued by this esteemed group. What do you Mr. President, what do you

Mr. Secretary, intend to do about the atrocities currently taking place

in x-country? Are your abdicating your moral leadership, abdicating

the U.S. responsibility to lead? To gather and galvanize international

support to do something - disinvestment in that particular country,

condemning the leadership of that country? Having dealt with ethnic

cleansing in the past, to take that experience, as well as what took

place in Armenia, as well as what took place in Rwanda, now in Darfur,

and say - this is how we have to lead on this issue."

 

"It's important to recognize what we said in the letter," Albright

said. "While we were secretaries, we recognized that mass killings

and forced exile had taken place, and we also said that the U.S.

 

policy has been all along for reconciliation between Turkey and Armenia

on this particular issue. I do think that one of the things that this

task force will ultimately recommend is that the parties to the problem

have to acknowledge what happened. That is part of the issue. There

is not one answer to fit all. This task force is about the future -

about preventing genocide."

 

http://www.corporatecrimereporter.com/genocide111307.htm

 

[Takoush]

Then let by gones be bygones even if it was whole mass killings and ethnic cleansing to the poor Armenians by the hands of the so called US's friends the Turks.

 

But America will stand by his Turkish friends even if turkey will raise the turkish sword "Yataghan" on the congressmen's heads to stop the approval of the Genocide. But of course this indeed is a very moral stand for the U.S. and for future stands against similar atrocities and haulocausts.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited November 14, 2007 by Anahid Takouhi

[Harut]

i don't know if this has been posted before... this is the "reply" i received to my e-mail to jane harman...

 

 

 

Thank you for contacting me about H. Res. 106, the Armenian Genocide

Resolution. Please find below the letter I sent to the Chairman Tom

Lantos and Ranking Member Illeana Ros-Lehtinen of the Committee on Foreign

Affairs, explaining my decision to oppose the resolution.

 

October 3, 2007

 

Dear Chairman Lantos and Ranking Member Ros-Lehtinen:

 

I write to urge you to reconsider your decision to mark-up H. Res. 106,

the Affirmation of the United States Record on the Armenian Genocide

Resolution.

 

My father was a refugee to the United States from Nazi Germany. I

understand the consequences of ethnic and racial persecution, and am

committed to fighting and condemning acts of genocide wherever they occur.

That is why I agreed to cosponsor H. Res. 106. I am convinced that a

terrible crime was committed against the Armenian people. That crime should

be recognized and condemned.

 

However, following a visit to Turkey earlier this year that included

meetings with Prime Minister Erdogan, the Armenian Orthodox Patriarch and

colleagues of murdered journalist Hrant Dink, I have great concern

that this is the wrong time for Congress to consider this measure.

 

Due to my security focus in the House, I have made 18 trips to the

Middle East region over the past 14 years and am persuaded that Turkey

plays a critically important role in moderating extremist forces there.

Given the nature of the threat, I believe it is imperative to nurture that

role – however valid from the historical perspective, we should

avoid taking steps that would embarrass or isolate the Turkish leadership.

 

Modern Turkey is a moderate Islamist state that recently elected a new

government and Parliament, and has begun to reevaluate many of its

policies and practices. Indeed, just yesterday, the new Turkish Foreign

Minister met with his Armenian counterpart to discuss, among other things,

normalization of relations between Turkey and Armenia.

 

I understand and sympathize with the sentiments expressed by H. Res.

106. However, in my view, the passage of the resolution at this time

would be destabilizing not only to Armenian–Turkish relations but also to

our efforts to create stability in the greater Middle East. I urge you

to delay the markup and I continue to hope that no vote will occur.

But should it occur, I will oppose the resolution.

 

[AVO]

I got the same response. Here is she trying to explain herself.

 

[Arpa]

Did you tell her she is full of pastrami?

October 3, 2007

Dear Chairman Lantos and Ranking Member Ros-Lehtinen:

=====

However, following a visit to Turkey earlier this year that included

meetings with Prime Minister Erdogan, the Armenian Orthodox Patriarch and

colleagues of murdered journalist Hrant Dink, I have great concern

that this is the wrong time for Congress to consider this measure.

Read "the lives of Armenians and Hryas will be in jeopardy". If that is not terrorism then what is?

Due to my security focus in the House, I have made 18 trips to the

Middle East region over the past 14 years and am persuaded that Turkey

plays a critically important role in moderating extremist forces there.

Given the nature of the threat,

Does she know that Trurkey is one of the two terrorist states in the region?

Modern Turkey is a moderate Islamist state that recently elected a new

So is our friend Musharraf of the other "secular Islamist democracy"

Indeed, just yesterday, the new Turkish Foreign

Minister met with his Armenian counterpart to discuss, among other things,

normalization of relations between Turkey and Armenia.

If I hear that phrase one more time...

What "Turkish Armenian relation"? When is the last time a turkish official paid a state visit to Yerevan?

I understand and sympathize with the sentiments expressed by H. Res[olution.../quote]

Did I say she is full of pastrami and baloney?

 

[Arpa]

I got the same response. Here is she trying to explain herself.

Furthermore, getting back to "turkish Armenian relation", one wonders what she smokes and which science fiction she reads. What "relation". We just read that turkey is denying air access to ArmAvia.

I just watched the above video, where among other baloney she says- "toay's turkish government did not commit the Genocide", yes she uses the G word. Not only she needs lessons in Armenian history she also needs lessons in Jewish history. Did todays German goverment commit the holocaust? Then why are they still paying reparations even today? If the Genocide happened almost a 100 years ago the holocaust happened secventy years ago, the why are we still talking about it? Shall we join the denialists and say forget about it, since none of the pepetrtors of the holocaust are alive?

Here is a sample of turkArmenian relations.

"Armenia-Turkey

TURKEY CLOSES ITS AIRSPACE FOR ARMENIAN FLIGHTS

On Tuesday, November 13, Yerevan-Beirut ArmAvia flight was aborted and the passengers returned to Zvartnots. According to information, received by "Azg", the airplane turned back soon after tacking off, being prohibited to cross Turkey’s airspace. For that reason all ArmAvia flights from Yerevan to Beirut are temporarily suspended.

"ArmAvia" Air Company informs that Yerevan-Beirut flights are still available at Syrian airlines, which are not prohibited to cross the air space of Turkey.

Armenian flights fly through Turkey’s airspace via route H50, which was made available for Armenia due to the only and simple reason that Azerbaijan likewise needed that route. Prime Minister of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan has mentioned this "bounty" made to Armenia on Turkey’s part for many times, ever forgetting that in return Armenia agreed to give Turkish and Azerbaijani flights access to its own airspace.

 

Turkey made an official statement about the November 13 event in New York, in connection with the issue of H. Res. 106. It comes out that Turkey’s threats are no longer a part of political blackmail or provocations, but have become reality.

By A. Haroutiunian, translated by A.

AZG Daily. 11/15/07"

Edited November 15, 2007 by Arpa

[Takoush]

This is the reply I got from Steven Rothman.

 

 

 

Thank you for contacting me in support of H.Res. 106, the Affirmation of the united States Record on the Armenian Genocide Resolution. I appreciate hearing from you and I welcome the opportunity to respond.

 

Like you, I believe it is vital that the United States government characterize the systematic and deliberate annihilation of 1.5 million Armenians as genocide. This is why I am proud cosponsor of H.Res. 106, which was introduced by Congressman Adam Schiff (D-CA) on January 30, 2007. This resolution calls upon the President to ensure that U.S. foreign policy reflects appropriate understanding and sensitivity concerning issues related to human rights, ethnic cleansing, and genocide as documented in the U.S. record relating to the Armenian Genocide. It also recalls the proud history of US intervention in opposition to the Armenian Genocide. H.Res. 106 is currently under review by the House committee on Foreign Affairs.

 

You may also be happy to know that I am also a proud cosponsor of H.Res. 102, a resolution condemning the assassination of human rights advocate and outspoken defender of freedom of press, Turkish-Armenian journalist Hrant Dink on January 19, 2007. This resolution was introduced by Congressman Joseph Crowley (D-NY) on January 29, 2007 and is currently being considered by the House Committee of Foreign Affairs. I have also signed onto a letter to Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan that condemns the assassination of Hrant Dink and calls for a full investigation into the brutal murder. You will find a copy of this letter attached to this e-mail.

 

Thank you again for contacting me. As your Representative in the united States Congress it is a privilege and an honor to serve you and to act as your voice in Washington. Please feel free to contact me again with any other isssues or matter that concerns you.

 

 

Sincerely,

Steven R. Rothman

Member of Congress

[Takoush]

Here's Steven Rothman's attachment letter to Tayyip Erdogan.

 

 

January 25, 2007

 

 

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan

Republic of Turkey

Ankara, Turkey

 

Dear Mr. Prime Minister:

 

We write to express our shock and condemnation of the murder of Hrant Dink, the Armenian-Turkish editor of newspaper Agos, who was shot three times outside its offices in Istanbul.

 

We urge you to personally oversee the investigation into Mr. Dink's murder and to ensure that this crime is solved and that those responsible are punished. In that regard, we commend you and other Turkish officials for your strong denunciation of this crime and for your pledge to pursue this investigation with determination.

 

The silencing of such a prominent and outspoken voice is not only a personal tragedy; it is also a tragedy for those who believe in a free and unfettered press, and those who are committed to a thoughtful examination of the past. It is, as you said, a "bullet...fired at freedom of thought and democratic life in Turkey." Hrant Dink had the courage to confront the facts of the Armenian Genocide, and that courage may have cost him his life.

 

We hope that you will also use the occasion of Mr. Dink's murder to repeal the odious law making it a crime to "insult Turkishness." As you know, Mr. Dink was prosecuted under this law, Article 301, and was given a six-month suspended sentence in October 2005 after writing about the Armenian Genocide. Repealing this statute, which is repellant to those of us who believe that a free and independent press is a cornerstone of a democratic society, would be a fitting tribute to Mr. Dink and to the other courageous Turkish writers and intellectuals who believe that their country's future can only be secured by accepting its past. We welcome the statement of your parliamentary leader Bulent Arinc, who said in the wake of the murder that abolition of Article 301 should be considered. We look forward to your moving from words to deed.

 

 

Finally, we also ask that you pass on our deepest condolences to his family, his colleagues, the Armenian community in Turkey, and the Turkish nation as a whole, which in our view, has lost one of its most valuable citizens.

 

Sincerely,

 

 

 

And it was signed by Steven R. Rothman as well as 42 other signatures most probably of his rank.

[Ani]

Jane Harman Protest at UCLA

From: gayane1225@ucla.edu

Date: Wed, 14 Nov 2007 21:23:34 -0800 (PST)

 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

Armenian Student Association at UCLA

Kerckhoff Hall, room 146

Campus Mail Code 164006

Los Angeles, CA 90024

 

Armenian Graduate Student Association at UCLA

Kerckhoff Hall, room 316

308 Westwood Plaza

Los Angeles, CA 90024

 

PRESS RELEASE

November 12, 2007

Contact: Gayane Khechoomian - asaucla@ucla.edu

 

Over 150 students gather to protest US Representative Jane Harman at UCLA

Community outraged at Congresswoman's retreat on human rights legislation

 

Los Angeles, CA - The University of California, Los Angeles community

protested Congresswoman Jane Harman (D-CA 36th district), during her

visit to the university on November 10th, from 6-7 PM.

 

Over 150 students joined the protest outside the Tom Bradley

International Hall next to campus, filling up the streets with their

large numbers and loud chants.

 

The Armenian Students' Association and the Armenian Grad Students'

Association at UCLA hosted the protest and were joined by fellow

students from campus as well as the Armenian Youth Federation, the

Armenian Revolutionary Federation-Shant Student Association, and

members Ferrahian High School's UCLA Model United Nations team.

 

`Having the UCLA community together protesting Harman's hypocritical

actions sent a strong message,' Chris Khachatryan, President of the

ASA at UCLA, added, `This goes beyond the issue of the Armenian

Genocide, because it is about putting humanity over politics, whether

it is Darfur, Rwanda, or the Jewish Holocaust.'

 

Nurit Katz, President of the Graduate Student Association at UCLA,

Michelle Lyon of the Undergraduate Student Association at UCLA,

Katrina Garcia of the Darfur Action Committee at UCLA, as well as Arek

Santikian on behalf of the Armenian community at UCLA delivered

remarks in support of the protesters during the evening's event.

 

"Our representatives need to have the courage to do the right thing by

voting on this resolution now and not allowing threats to get in the

way of upholding American Values and taking a stand against genocide,"

said Katz in her address.

 

Harman was visiting UCLA to receive the Jacoby International Award,

given to individuals who have enhanced international and intercultural

understanding through volunteer or professional endeavors.

 

The UCLA community and constituents of the Congresswoman are outraged

at Harman's actions regarding House Resolution 106, which seeks to

affirm the United States' record on the Armenian Genocide.

 

While publicly endorsing House Resolution 106, the Congresswoman

secretly authored a letter which was released publicly on October 3,

2007 in which she urged the Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs

Committee to prevent consideration of the legislation.

 

`Saying that it's not the right time is an extremely dangerous

argument,' argued Raffi Kassabian, Executive Officer of the AGSA at

UCLA. `It gives inconsistent allies like Turkey the political muscle

to bully the United States and allows our foreign policy and freedom

of expression to be dictated by foreign powers,' he added.

 

The government of Turkey has been engaged in an ongoing campaign of

genocide denial and has remained maliciously opposed to this and

similar resolutions in the past. In its efforts to defeat H.Res.106,

Turkey has spent millions of dollars on high-priced lobbyists and

public relations firms in an attempt to intimidate the US Congress

into avoiding consideration of the resolution.

 

###

 

ATTACHED PHOTO: Students gather outside Bradley International Hall to

protest Congresswoman Harman's visit to the UCLA campus on November

10th. (credit: Meline Kyurkchyan)

 

 

[Takoush]

I am so proud of the students at UCLA. I wish we could bring that two faced hippocrith bitch down from her post.

[AVO]

 

http://img300.imageshack.us/img300/6762/a1lq8.jpg

 

http://www.bendib.com/newones/2007/october/small/10-14-Denial-Awards.jpg

 

 

[AVO]

I don't know if this was posted before

 

Bernard-Henri Levy speaking about Genocide and Holocaust (French with English subtitles)

 

 

I know its not related to HR106, I couldn't find another topic to post it in.

[Takoush]

I don't know if this was posted before

 

Bernard-Henri Levy speaking about Genocide and Holocaust (French with English subtitles)

 

 

I know its not related to HR106, I couldn't find another topic to post it in.

Oh my goodness, desar inch aghvor xosetsav marte Bravo! Vorkan djisht eh esadse te Turkio Genocidei ouratsoume irents gadarelabes anmartgaynoutyan garachnorte, yev turkio pernads tseve aynkan anoren yev anmartgayin eh vor oughagi irents xentoutyan garachnorte te iprev ants yev te iprev azk. Anmartgayin yev xent ou heresh, djivagh, "devils".

 

Ou miag tseve turkiai ays irents pernads anmartgaynoutyoune getsenelou an al orenkn eh. Orenkov bedk eh verch tervi.

 

He said all these lies, the double atrocities by turkey should be stopped by law. That's why there is such a thing as international law for justice to prevail amongst people and or amongst nations. The only way to stop this madness of Turkey is LAW. Turkey should be stopped his Genocidal denial to Armenians by LAW.

 

 

 

 

Edited November 17, 2007 by Anahid Takouhi

[hyethga]

I got the same response. Here is she trying to explain herself.

 

 

All this flashing of the term "genocide denier" ad nauseum against those who work against the genocide bill becomes tiring after a while. While the label "hypocrite" aptly fits the bill of someone vowing to support one thing but covertly working against it, it's ridiculous to label Harman or even Bush as genocide deniers.

 

They have no definitive proof that Harman or Bush deny that the genocide occurred, save that for Turks or Azers. They play games with the term by using all these synonyms and adjectives but seriously, does that mean that they deny the Genocide or are they simply looking after America's best interests (as misguided they may be)?

 

The Dashnaktsutin should be commended for all the effort they put into this recognition for genocide but give me a break here, all this pathetic grandstanding of personally visiting her office as well as farcically giving her a letter that we don't approve of her actions rings of narrow-sightedness pretentiousness.

[annannimusss]

Albright and Cohen Answer Tough Questions on Genocide

 

Below are excerpts from the press conference held this week announcing the formation of the Genocide Prevention Task Force. For a full description, see article on front page.

 

Q: Aram Hamparian (ANCA / Armenian Weekly)

 

How do you reconcile your work in trying to build a moral American sentiment, an unconditional consensus against genocide, when just very recently both of you signed letters urging America not to recognize the Armenian genocide?

 

A: [5 second pause] Secretary Madeleine Albright

 

Well, first of all, I think that this commission is basically about the future, as we both said. We want to look at ways to try to prevent genocide and mass killings. That is the purpose of this commission. And I also think that every former Secretary of State and the [current] Secretary of State recognized terrible things happened to the Armenians, a tragedy. The letter was primarily about whether this was an appropriate time to raise the issue.

 

A: Secretary William Cohen

 

First of all, it wasn’t a tough question, it was a good question and it’s one that we should address head on. The fact is that all the former Secretaries of State, former Secretaries of Defense were concerned about the human suffering that took place between 1915 and 1923. It was also a very deliberate decision to say that we are engaged in warfare at the moment. That we have our sons and daughters who are at great risk and that we felt that to have the resolution brought before the full floor might result in reactions on the part of the Turkish government that could place our sons and daughters in greater jeopardy. So it was a very practical decision that was made. This is not to say that we overlooked what took place in the past and, in any way, are absolving anyone from what took place in the past. But, rather, to say that we can look back and have some lessons learned but say from this point forward, what do we do? How do we marshal public opinion? How do we marshal political action? How do we generate the will to take action in a society that has been reluctant to do so in the past? . . . This is the way that will preclude things that have taken place in the past from taking place in the future.

 

Q: Elizabeth Chouldjian (ANCA / Asbarez Armenian News Service):

 

If we’re saying that this isn’t the right time to acknowledge the Armenian genocide, does that mean that you’re essentially arguing that for political expediency purposes we shouldn’t be taking action on future genocides because of what it could mean to U.S. interests?

 

A: Secretary Cohen

 

We’re saying there are no absolutes in this. We are going to try to set forth a set of principles that will serve as a guide and hopefully that guide will allow political leadership in this country and elsewhere. This is not something where the United States is advocating unilateral action. What we’re talking about is the United States taking a lead in helping shape public opinion, certainly domestically but also internationally. That will involve multiple considerations, multiple political factors that have to be taken into account. What we’re saying is that this is an endeavor that’s worthwhile, we intend to pursue it, and hopefully we’ll be successful in preventing mass killings and genocides in the future as a result.

 

A: Secretary Albright

 

I also do think that it’s very important to recognize the fact that even if terrible things happened in the past they do not need to happen in the future. And that is what this is about. In no way does it put a house keeping seal of approval on anybody’s behavior.

 

Q: Reporter [name unknown]

 

It sounds as if both of you are saying that ‘if our friends do it, it’s not genocide, if our enemies do it, it is genocide,’ with relation to the Armenian genocide. So, for example, a professor at the University of Haifa in Israel says he believes a genocide is ongoing in Gaza and ethnic cleansing in the West Bank. But you folks wouldn’t agree with that because Israel is our friend and, therefore, we couldn’t say that about Israel. And we can’t say that—I just heard you Secretary Cohen, if I could summarize—we can’t say that about Turkey and the Armenian genocide because ‘our boys and girls are in harm’s way.’ So if we’re going to define genocide by who does and not by what it is, I think your commission is in trouble.

 

A: Secretary Cohen

 

Well I don’t think either one of us have made that statement. I don’t know that the UN has declared that genocide occurred in the Armenian situation. So, we’re trying to look forward rather than backwards and the issue of whether genocide is taking place in the West Bank or in Gaza certainly will be part of the task force looking at that as well. There is an element of pragmatism. If someone else’s son or daughter is in harm’s way, that’s a factor that I, as an American citizen, and I, as a former Secretary of Defense, have to take into account, and would. I think anyone serving in public office necessarily has to have a set of balancing factors to take into account.

It’s not an absolute. This will not be a document that says, ‘this is when the line is crossed and this is the action we will take.’ These are going to be guidelines. I think they, in themselves, will serve a very valuable purpose because it will help to at least raise the issue to a level of both domestic and international concern. Hopefully stirring action that will prevent them from taking place. That is our goal.

 

A: Secretary Albright

 

Let me just speak to this because I think that you have pointed out why this is difficult. These are issues people have talked about a long time and they may come out in statements and then, ultimately, when you’re in the government (as we both have been) and you have to make very tough decisions, you have to look at the overall picture. I think we have to admit that. Otherwise, we’re not going to get off the ground here. These are very, very hard issues.

I definitely would not accept your definition that if friends do it it’s okay, if enemies do it it’s not. I find that just an unacceptable premise. I do think that it is very important to keep in mind what this task force is going to do. It is going to set forth guidelines for practical action by, primarily, the United States government. Which is why we want to present it by the end of next year. And the point here is, and I’ve been in enough discussions where you can have all kinds of emotional arguments about why something is wrong and then you never get it off the ground, because you ultimately have to take practical action. And that is what’s happening in the United States about Darfur at the moment, where people need practical steps in order to deal with that. And that is what this task force is going to do. We’re not going to, I hope, get ourselves into emotional appeals because that does not work.

 

Q: Nareg Seferian (Armenian Reporter)

 

As has been previously mentioned, the two of you have personally worked towards ensuring that the United States government does not take a stand recognizing the Armenian genocide. How can you provide credibility that your recommendation will be of practical use to the United States in its foreign policy and will not be just words on a piece of paper that will be acceptable, but which the U.S. will not follow up on because it’s simply not politically expedient?

 

A: Secretary Cohen

 

You talk about political expediency. As Secretary of Defense, I had responsibility for every man and woman who is serving in our armed forces. And, yes, I would have to take into account whether or not I was placing them in greater jeopardy in order to go back and make a declaration about something that happened back in 1915 and 1923. I would have to weigh that. Frankly, I think the former Secretaries of Defense, Republican and Democrat alike, all came to the same conclusion: We would not put our men and women in greater danger under these circumstances. Now, does that mean that we are not in a position to look forward in saying, ‘Here are some of the things that have happened in the past, here are some of the things we did not do in the past, here are some things we think need to be done in the future.’ And future leaders will have to take into account the same sort of moral considerations. There is no absolute right or wrong. It’s not all black and white. We’re going to have to take these into account. You as a private citizen, will be in a position to say, ‘Here is a document issued by this esteemed group. What do you Mr. President, what do you Mr. Secretary intend to do about atrocities currently taking place in x country?’

... So I think that we are certainly in a position, having dealt with ethnic cleansing in the past, to take that experience as well as what took place in Armenia, as well as what took place in Rwanda, now in Darfur, and say, ‘This is how we have to move in the future.’

 

A: Secretary Albright

 

Let me also say, I think it’s important that you know what we actually meant in the letter and I think that all the former Secretaries, in fact, while we were Secretaries recognized that mass killings and forced exile had taken place. And that we also said that the U.S. policy has been, all along, for reconciliation between Turkey and Armenia on this particular issue. I do think that one of the things this task force will ultimately recommend is that the parties to the problem have to acknowledge what happened and I think that is part of what the issue is. ... We are trying to put this within a context that will make practical activity at the time something that the U.S. government can undertake. There is not one answer to it all. And that is one of the things we are going to be looking at. I honestly think that is essential that we make clear that this task force is about the future, about preventing genocide and also looking at what the circumstances are.

 

http://hairenik.com/armenianweekly/pol11170701.htm

Edited November 17, 2007 by SakoPasha

[AVO]

Fox11 News Los Angeles CA - Video

 

 

Los Angeles, CA - Over one hundred and fifty human right supporters, led by the Armenian Student Association and the Armenian Graduate Student Association at the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) organized a demonstration on Saturday, November 10, 2007 on their campus to highlight the genocide denial being practiced by Los Angeles area Congresswoman Jane Harman (D-CA-36). Last month it was revealed that Harman had secretly issued a letter in opposition to the Armenian Genocide resolution (H. Res. 106), while publicly being listed as a supporter of the measure.

 

Expressing solidarity with the demonstrators were representatives of the Darfur Action Committee and Members of both the UCLA Undergraduate and Graduate Student Governments. A number of media outlets covered the protest, which included a broad cross-section of human rights supporters, young and old, who were united in their belief that Harman's deceitful actions on the genocide bill fall far beneath even the most basic ethical standards that her constituents have a right to expect.

 

Harman was at UCLA to be honored by the Dashew Center for International Students and Scholars. Sources indicate that Congresswoman Harman and the Dashews have a decades old relationship, as evidenced by Congressional remarks on September 10, 1996 and involved participation in Dashew Center events in 1998 and 2001. At the event, Harman was awarded the Jacoby International Award, though it was not made clear why she was being granted this little known honor. As onlookers watched, a number of Turkish students attended the Dashew event to express their solidarity with the Congresswoman.

 

"Jane Harman should be ashamed of herself," commented UCLA AGSA Executive Officer Raffi Kassabian. "As the daughter of a Holocaust survivor, for her to argue that the ‘time is not right to recognize the Armenian Genocide’ is outrageous. Clearly, Jane believes it is better for Congress to remain silent in the face of Turkish denials and threats. Her failure to speak truth to power is immoral and, quite frankly, an embarrassment," he added.

 

Last month, Harman was the focus of a demonstration that shut down a political event in Lakewood, California. The Lakewood event brought together over one hundred activists from the Armenian Youth Federation who hail from in and around the 36th Congressional District represented by Harman. Human rights champions in the Los Angeles area have vowed to highlight Harman's immoral position on the Armenian Genocide at all public events she attends in California and elsewhere. To date, thousands of emails have been sent to her legislative aides to convey their disgust with the Congresswoman's denial of the Armenian Genocide and opposition to H. Res. 106.

[Error 404]

So what is the current status of the resolution?

 

Is it put on hold for certain amount of time or is it put on hold for good?

[Aratta-Kingdom]

 

Rumors about death of Res. 106 not true, Kiro Manoyan says

http://www.yerkir.am/img/transparent.gif

21.11.2007 17:44

http://www.yerkir.am/img/transparent.gif

YEREVAN (YERKIR) - The impression that the Armenian Genocide resolution passed by the US House Foreign Relations Committee is dead is not true, Kiro Manoyan, the director of the ARF Bureau's Hay Dat and Political Affairs office, told a news conference on November 21.

 

He said that if Res. 106 is not discussed by the time the Congress recesses, it will be discussed in the coming months. He added that the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) and the Armenian community are ready to "persuade congressmen with new vigor" to schedule a vote for the resolution. The number of the resolution co-sponsors has reduced to 210, while it takes 218 congressmen to schedule a vote. Manoyan said that the US yielded to Turkish blackmail but the 2008 presidential election in the US is a serious factor because the US citizens and not Turkish citizens are to vote for president.

Manoyan said that despite media reports in Turkey and Armenia, the cancellation by Turkey of the flight to Lebanon and Syria from Armenia had nothing to do with Res. 106. "I think the main reason was the operations in northern Iraq," Manoyan said.

He also said that the recent riots by Turks in Brussels also have nothing to do with the resolution. He said those riots could be linked with a congress of European Armenians held recently in the Council of Europe. The Armenian community is planning to hold a rally on December 14 against Turkey's admission to the European Union.

[Aratta-Kingdom]

DONNA EVANS SPOKE UP FOR ARMENIAN GENOCIDE RESOLUTION

Two years after her husband, Ambassador John M. Evans, became the first U.S. official to publicly acknowledge the Armenian Genocide since President Ronald Reagan in 1981, Donna Evans discussed the resulting fall-out as "the most traumatic time" of her life. Mrs. Evans' remarks, delivered at the Armenian Assembly's Annual Capital Region Holiday Reception and Briefing at the Armenian Embassy on November 18th, marked her first public address on the matter. Mrs. Evans, who accompanied her husband to the Republic of Armenia from 2004 to 2006, recalled being "stunned at first, but then very proud," when her husband informed her in 2005 of his plans to characterize the events of 1915 as "genocide" during public meeting with Armenians in the U.S. "I hoped that telling the truth would result in no more than a reprimand and that he would be marginalized for a while," Mrs. Evans said. "I thought that losing his job was the very worst-case scenario." When the Ambassador's comments were reported in the press, Mrs. Evans said the couple did not know whether his recall orders would be awaiting him in Yerevan. "Each morning he arrived at the office wondering if the morning e-mail and telegram traffic would include his official recall," Mrs. Evans said. She was heartened, however, by the support her husband received from prominent Armenian-Americans, the Armenian Assembly, family and friends. When the news arrived from Washington that her husband was being recalled, she said she was furious. "[We] left Armenia with sadness but with the knowledge that we did the best job we could have under the circumstance," she said. Turning to the Armenian Genocide Resolution, Mrs. Evans said she had celebrated when the House Foreign Affairs Committee had approved the measure last month, but was outraged when eight former Secretaries of State sent a letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) expressing their opposition to the resolution. "What followed was the worst turn of events that I had witnessed in all my time in Washington," Mrs. Evans said. "What we were witnessing was a hyper overkill of a human rights issue." The resolution continues to enjoy the support of over 200 cosponsors, including Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Chairman Rep. Chris Van Hollen, Jr. (D-MD). Greg Aftandilian, the Congressman's senior foreign policy advisor, thanked the Assembly and Armenian community for their activism on Van Hollen's behalf, and noted the Congressman's strong record of support for this critical human rights legislation. Assembly Executive Director Bryan Ardouny encouraged community members to continue drumming up support for the resolution, stressing the importance of grassroots activism in the face of Turkey's ongoing campaign of denial. He also discussed the issues facing the Armenian community in the months ahead, such as efforts to secure robust U.S. assistance for Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh, as well as Turkey's and Azerbaijan's continued attempts to isolate Armenia via an ill-conceived railroad bypass project. The event, which was organized by members of the Assembly's Capital Region Council, also included remarks by Armenian Embassy Counselor Arman Israelian, Assembly Research and Analysis Director Armen Kharazian, and a musical performance by concert violinist Christine Kharazian.

[MosJan]

U.S. House of Representatives passes Genocide Accountability Act

07.12.2007 14:14 GMT+04:00 Print version Send to mail In Russian In Armenian

 

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The Armenian Assembly of America welcomed the passage of the Genocide Accountability Act (S. 888) yesterday as a crucial step forward in closing a legal loophole that prevents the Justice Department from punishing perpetrators of genocide who find safe haven in the United States, the AAA reported.

 

The vote in the House of Representatives allows non-U.S. nationals who have entered the United States to be prosecuted for genocide committed outside the country. Under current law, genocide is only a crime if it is committed within the United States or by a U.S. national outside of the country. Conversely, laws regarding torture, material support for terrorism, terrorism financing, hostage taking and other federal crimes allow for extraterritorial jurisdiction for crimes committed outside of the United States by non-U.S. nationals.

 

“The Genocide Accountability Act is an effort to ensure that our United States’ laws provide adequate authority to prosecute acts of genocide,” said Rep. John Conyers (D-MI), chairman of the House Judiciary Committee. “We should not have a situation where perpetrators of genocide are allowed to enter, or reside in the United States and use this country as a safe haven from prosecution.”

 

“This cannot be the last step,” Conyers added. “If we’re going to fulfill our role in the world as the beacon for basic human rights and freedom from persecution we must continue to develop the humble legislative beginning we have begun today.”

 

“We are proud to have supported this legislation through the process and concur with Chairman Conyers that this is not the last step,” said Assembly Executive Director Bryan Ardouny. “The next critical step is to confront denial of genocide by approving H. Res. 106, which reaffirms the U.S. record on the Armenian Genocide.”

 

Representative Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX) said the 20th century has been called “the Age of Genocide,” adding that the genocides in Rwanda, the former Yugoslavia, Cambodia, Germany, and the Ottoman Empire have shown the world “the monstrous potential of totalitarian regimes determined to annihilate entire ethnic, racial and religious groups.”

 

Rep. Howard Berman (D-CA), who introduced the House version (H.R. 2489) of the Genocide Accountability Act, said that the purpose of the measure is to ensure that the perpetrators of genocide are accountable under U.S. law.

 

“S. 888 will strengthen the reach of U.S. laws to prosecute any individuals found in our country, who have taken part in acts of genocide, in Darfur or anywhere else,” Berman said.

 

“Genocide continues to be a threat in the world and we should attack it wherever we find it,” said Congressman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (D-VA).

 

Others who spoke in favor of S. 888 on the House floor yesterday included Representatives Stephen Cohen (D-TN), Randy Forbes (R-VA), Mike Pence (R-IN) and Christopher Shays (R-CT).

 

The Senate bill, introduced by Senators Richard Durbin (D-IL) and Tom Coburn (R-OK), is the first piece of legislation produced by the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Human Rights and the Law. In February, the Assembly called on Congress to strengthen international legal protection against genocide and its denial in testimony submitted for the Subcommittee’s hearing on “Genocide and the Rule of Law.”

 

Ardouny also commended Durbin, along with Senator John Ensign (R-NV), for spearheading legislation in the U.S. Senate (S. Res. 106) that would reaffirm the historical fact of the Armenian Genocide.

 

In addition to the Assembly, the Genocide Accountability Act has been endorsed by numerous organizations including African Action, the American Jewish World Service, Amnesty International USA, the Armenian National Committee of America, the Genocide Intervention Network, Human Rights First, Human Rights Watch, Physicians for Human Rights, Refugees International and the Save Darfur Coalition.

 

[MosJan]

"Advocacy Week 106" held in Washington

08.12.2007 13:20 GMT+04:00 Print version Send to mail In Russian In Armenian

 

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Human rights advocates from all over the western United States traveled to Washington, D.C. to participate in "Advocacy Week 106" from Monday, December 3 through Friday, December 7, reported the Armenian National Committee of America – Western Region (ANCA-WR).

 

"We have seen scores of constituents expressing deep concerns over the inaccurate, misrepresented and distorted nature of media coverage on the resolution in October," stated ANCA-WR Executive Director Andrew Kzirian. "These human rights activists traveled to Washington, DC to help set the record straight and remind Members what the resolution is really all about – ending the cycle of genocide and not succumbing to Turkey’s denial," he added.

 

Convening at the ANCA’s Washington headquarters, constituents from Idaho, Arizona, Texas and California conducted over 150 meetings on Capitol Hill with Members of the House and Senate. Although not usually in session at this time of year, Congress will likely convene well into December to address various pieces of appropriation legislation. Constituents viewed this extra time in session as an opportunity to help raise awareness of recent developments regarding the resolution and the Turkish government’s denialist activities.

 

Introduced by Representative Adam Schiff, the Armenian Genocide resolution (H. Res. 106) passed through the House Committee on Foreign Affairs on October 10, 2007 by a vote of 27-21 despite unprecedented opposition by President Bush and other facets of the administration, including current and former high-ranking cabinet officials from the Departments of State and Defense.