Armenian Genocide Bill 2007

[Aratta-Kingdom]

REP. SCHIFF BLASTS MISCHARACTERZATION OF MEETING WITH TURKISH DELEGATION AS REPORTED IN TODAY'S ZAMAN

 

US Fed News

December 20, 2007 Thursday 12:24 AM EST

 

Representative Adam Schiff (D-CA) today strongly condemned an article

in the Turkish newspaper Today's Zaman that mischaracterized a meeting

that he had in early December with a group of young Turkish political

leaders. The article, entitled "US Democrat Schiff 'Surprised'

by Turkish Side of Armenian Story," included a manufactured quote

from Congressman Schiff that implied that Schiff was rethinking his

position on the Armenian Genocide.

 

In a letter to the editor of Today's Zaman, Schiff reiterated his

unwavering support for genocide recognition, saying that:

 

"I told the delegation that the historical record was unequivocal -

that 1.5 million Armenians perished at the hands of the Ottoman Empire

between 1915-1923 and that this tragedy constituted the first genocide

of the Twentieth Century. I said that I believed that the decades

of denial of the genocide was, in the words of Nobel laureate Elie

Wiesel, a "double killing" and that millions of Armenians worldwide

were still suffering, even after more than 90 years had passed."

 

He also criticized the Turkish daily for its poor journalism and

noted that the episode is emblematic of Ankara's campaign of denial:

 

"While I certainly did not expect the Turkish delegates to accept my

views, I did not expect them to completely mischaracterize mine and

for your paper to misquote me - never bothering to contact my office

to find out what in fact I said. While I am troubled by the misquote

and deliberate nature of the misrepresentation, I realize that this

is another small episode in a decades-long campaign of denial and

self-delusion that has poisoned generations of your countrymen and

has been a persistent irritant in relations between our two countries."

 

The full text of the letter is below:

 

To the Editor:

 

The article in today's edition of your newspaper, "US Democrat

Schiff 'Surprised' by Turkish Side of Armenian Story," grossly

mischaracterizes the meeting that I had earlier this month with a

Turkish delegation.

 

The meeting, which was arranged by the American Council of Young

Political Leaders (ACYPL), was intended to promote a frank and open

dialogue between a younger generation of Turkish politicians and

opinion-makers and the Congress. In setting up the meeting, the ACYPL

wanted to afford the Turkish members of the delegation the chance to

discuss my position on the importance of American recognition of the

Armenian Genocide that would afford both sides the opportunity better

understand why so many Members of Congress believe that this is the

right thing to do for America and for Turkey. Having followed Turkish

press coverage of this issue for several years, I looked forward to

the opportunity to have a dialogue that was candid and unfiltered with

a group of new leaders, perhaps less wedded to the dogmas of their

party elders. This is consistent with my open-door policy of meeting

with those who share as well as those who disagree with my views.

 

I told the delegation that the historical record was unequivocal -

that 1.5 million Armenians perished at the hands of the Ottoman Empire

between 1915-1923 and that this tragedy constituted the first genocide

of the Twentieth Century. I said that I believed that the decades

of denial of the genocide was, in the words of Nobel laureate Elie

Wiesel, a "double killing" and that millions of Armenians worldwide

were still suffering, even after more than 90 years had passed.

 

I also emphasized that modern Turkey's denial of the genocide

was hurting Turkey and jeopardizing the country's accession to the

European Union. I was especially emphatic in raising the issue of

Article 301 of the Turkish penal code, which makes it a crime to insult

"Turkishness," a thinly-veiled reference to the genocide.

 

Having met the courageous journalist Hrant Dink, I told them I

thought it was a travesty to prosecute his son for publishing his

murdered father's words. Why would a modern nation go to such lengths

to criminalize the discussion of an historical event if it was not

the truth?

 

I also listened to the delegation members, who were eager to share

their views with me and had told me that they considered obtaining

this meeting the highlight of their time in Washington, D.C. and

our meeting, which lasted the better part of an hour, was lively

and interesting.

 

While I certainly did not expect the Turkish delegates to accept my

views, I did not expect them to completely mischaracterize mine and

for your paper to misquote me - never bothering to contact my office

to find out what in fact I said. While I am troubled by the misquote

and deliberate nature of the misrepresentation, I realize that this

is another small episode in a decades-long campaign of denial and

self-delusion that has poisoned generations of your countrymen and

has been a persistent irritant in relations between our two countries.

 

In 2003, I had the pleasure of a brief stop in Turkey on my way back

from a visit to our troops in Iraq. The Turkish people, well aware

of my views, were nonetheless warm and hospitable, and keenly aware

of the importance of their alliance with the United States. That

alliance can and must survive the truth. Our relationship will be

better for it and, more importantly, Turkey will be as well.

[AVO]

The article that was printed in Today's Zaman

 

 

US Democrat Schiff ‘surprised’ by Turkish side of Armenian story

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, uneasy with the pro-Kurdish Democratic Society Party (DTP) acting as if it is the representative of all Kurdish people living in Turkey, asked his deputies of Kurdish origin to initiate diplomatic action -- he has now begun to harvest the first fruit these efforts.

 

 

At Erdoğan's request, Justice and Development Party (AK Party) Ankara deputy Burhan Kayatürk and Mardin deputy Cüneyt Yüksel, went to the US to meet with Democrat Congressman Adam Schiff, the architect of the "Armenian genocide bill" accepted by the US House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs. Listening to the stories of Kayatürk's own family, Schiff was surprised by the Turkish side of the story concerning the Armenian issue.

 

Kayatürk, who has Kurdish orgins, and a Turkish delegation went to the US as invited guests of the US Youth Council (USYC). A meeting with Schiff provided Kayatürk with the chance to speak about experiences from his own life. The deputy told Today's Zaman about his experience, explaining first his own story, as told to Schiff.

 

"The name of my father's grandfather was Yusuf. Despite their good relations with the Armenians, the latter killed my grandfather, and I'm sure that my grandfather's relatives also killed some Armenians in return. The Armenians and the Muslims had good relations at the time, however, due to the promises the Russians made, the Armenians began doing wrong to their neighbors. As a result some atrocious events occurred between both sides. Moreover, tens of thousands of people from both sides died because of these wrongs. Then the forced Armenian emigration -- in addition to the illnesses, the clashes and traumatic events occurred along the route -- caused people to die. However, the Ottomans never killed the Armenians based on an intentional scheme. This cannot even be a matter of discussion."

 

When faced with the alleged claims of Armenian genocide, Turkey has opened the state archives for historians, Kayatürk said, and underlined: "We are ready; both Armenian and Turkish scholars are welcome to make research. Your [uS] attempt harms Turkish-American and Turkish-Armenian relations."

 

He also asserted that 40,000 to 60,000 Armenians work illegally in Turkey. "Most of them nurse our children. If we were hostile, could we entrust our children to them?" In response Schiff reportedly emphasized that he was surprised with what he heard, adding: "I've never heard these [stories] before, and quite frankly I'm touched by them. For the first time, I'm hearing something different."

 

Kayatürk asserted that the Zeve cemetery was full of numerous graves belonging to Turks and Kurds whom the Armenians massacred in Van. He invited Schiff to Van to see for himself how many Turks were killed by the Armenians during those times of upheaval and confusion. Schiff said he was planning a visit to both Armenia and Turkey and that he could visit Van during his trip.

 

Meeting with Matt Bryza, US deputy assistant secretary of state for European and Asian affairs, Kayatürk explained that he is of Kurdish origin, underlining that the Kurdish issue has nothing to do with the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK).

 

Kayatürk also emphasized: "The AK Party represent the Kurdish people in the best way. As the votes that AK Party received in southeastern province of Hakkari increased by 430 percent, it proves the fairness of the policies the party follows. The average number of supporters in the eastern and southeastern regions rose by 51 percent." He stressed, "The sooner the PKK problem in northern Iraq is eliminated, the better for both Turkey and the US."

 

http://www.todayszaman.com/tz-web/detaylar.do?load=detay&link=129826

 

[AVO]

And the second article from Zaman, notice how its missing most of Schiff's comments.

 

Schiff refutes deputy’s account of meeting

US Congressman Adam Schiff has denied he was "surprised" when a Turkish lawmaker told him the story of his family, a survivor of Armenian atrocities in the course of World War I in eastern Anatolia, during a recent meeting in Washington.

 

Schiff, in a letter to Today's Zaman, said a story in the paper based on lawmaker Burhan Kayatürk's account and published on Dec. 20, "grossly mischaracterizes" the meeting he had earlier this month with a Turkish delegation, arranged by the American Council of Young Political Leaders (ACYPL).

 

Kayatürk, a deputy from the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party), said he had explained that Turks and Armenians killed each other during civil strife when Armenians cooperated with the invading Russian army and revolted against the Ottoman Empire. He said his grandfather was one of the Muslims killed by the Armenians at that time and called on US congressmen not to deepen hostilities by pressing the administration to recognize Armenian claims that the events amounted to genocide of Armenians.

 

In response, Schiff said, according to Kayatürk, that he was surprised by what he heard and that it was the first time he heard a different account of the events. In his letter to Today's Zaman, however, Schiff denied having made such comments and insisted that he reiterated his outright position in favor of the Armenian claims.

 

"I told the delegation that the historical record was unequivocal -- that 1.5 million Armenians perished at the hands of the Ottoman Empire between 1915-1923 and that this tragedy constituted the first genocide of the 20th century," he said, adding, "Turkey's denial of the genocide is hurting Turkey and jeopardizing the country's accession to the European Union."

[Aratta-Kingdom]

Thanks for the articles Avo. If we were to record all the facts from the past, we would have been far ahead with our fight for the recogntion of the genocide.

[Ashot]

The Armenians and the Muslims had good relations at the time, however, due to the promises the Russians made, the Armenians began doing wrong to their neighbors.

http://www.todayszaman.com/tz-web/detaylar.do?load=detay&link=129826

I just wanted to highlight this portion of the story, why does the guy mention Armenians and Mulsims? are Armenians concidered to be religion now? what is this pathetic story?

[AVO]

The guy is not a Turk but a Kurd. It's a political game.

1. They're sending a Kurd as in, see we don't hate Kurds.

2. It's not only the turks that deny the genocide, but Kurds as well, as in they were the other minority there and they're saying the same thing that wo do. That means Armenians are liers.

 

They're not stupid, this is a well planned billion dollar operation.

[Ashot]

The guy is not a Turk but a Kurd. It's a political game.

1. They're sending a Kurd as in, see we don't hate Kurds.

2. It's not only the turks that deny the genocide, but Kurds as well, as in they were the other minority there and they're saying the same thing that wo do. That means Armenians are liers.

 

They're not stupid, this is a well planned billion dollar operation.

From what I know Kurdistan was a neutral place for Armenians in 1915... Besides what's the point of putting Armenians vs. Muslims? brings out to an arguement between Armenians and the whole Muslim world. In a way this guy is sayin if you are against Turks then you are agains the whole Muslim world. If that is the case then Armenians should be backed up from the Christian world... which brings everything to a religious fight, which is what the Jews want... don't make sence, and the phraze Armenians vs. Mulsims should be investigated and revised, unless they really want to have a religion war!

[AK-47]

From what I know Kurdistan was a neutral place for Armenians in 1915...

No, Kurdistan was not a neutral place. The Kurds were one of the tools used in 1915 and actually caused alot of trouble to us prior to 1915. The Turks used them to abuse us and now they suffer by the monster they helped create.

[Ashot]

No, Kurdistan was not a neutral place. The Kurds were one of the tools used in 1915 and actually caused alot of trouble to us prior to 1915. The Turks used them to abuse us and now they suffer by the monster they helped create.

correct me if I am wrong, as far as I knew from 1916 when Armenians ran into Kurdistan they could not be touched by the Turks, now i might be mistaking it with another nationality/country.

[AVO]

According to Tehlerian, he was saved and hidden by a Kurdish family, had the Turks found out that they were harboring an Armenian they would have been killed.

 

Also I don't remember where I read this on how Kurds collected orphan Armanians and sold them to Armenians. It was about Andranik Zoravar.

[AVO]

I believe that would be Syria

[Ashot]

Actually now I remember where I read about it... A story from a UCLA article, the students had to take an article written in Armenian that was about 29 pages long and translate it into English. It was a story of a survivor from Erznka, I helped into translating the story... She would tell how they crossed the river and got to Qurdista and there they could not be harmd by the Turks... The year I am not sure about, but it should not be any longer than 3 years after the massacres hav begun.

[MosJan]

Turkey blackmails U.S. presidential hopefuls

30.01.2008 13:49 GMT+04:00 Print version Send to mail In Russian In Armenian

 

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Levent Bilman, spokesman for the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said Turkey “feels regret over recent statements of the U.S. presidential candidates supporting the Armenian stance on the events of 1915.”

 

The press release issued by Bilman said, "The attempts to cast a shadow over our history in the name of competition among candidates within a political party, deeply hurts the Turkish nation. We invite the U.S. presidential candidate nominees to act responsibly in regards to both the past and future, to pay attention not to hurt an ally country and its nation with baseless statements, and keep in mind in this respect the delicacy of the Turkish-American relations," Anatolia News Agency reports.

 

Democrat presidential hopefuls Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton and John Edwards voiced support for the Armenian Genocide resolution and pledged to recognize the Armenian Genocide if elected President.

 

[Aratta-Kingdom]

PELOSI WILLING TO BRING ARMENIAN GENOCIDE RESOLUTION TO HOUSE FLOOR

 

PanARMENIAN.Net

04.04.2008

 

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Discussion of the Armenian Genocide Resolution,

H.Res.106, approved by the House Foreign Affairs Committee is still

on the agenda, AAA Regional Director for Armenia and Nagorno Artsax

said Friday.

 

"Ms. Pelosi is willing to bring the Armenian Genocide to House

floor. She is just awaiting congressional support essential for

passage of the measure," Arpi Vartanian said.

 

"The resolution is co-sponsored by 211 Congressmen against the required

218. The Armenian Assembly of America is working for the purpose,"

she said, Novosti Armenia reports.

 

H.Res.106 was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives on

January 30, 2007. It doesn't need approval by the Senate or President.

 

[Aratta-Kingdom]

House vote on Armenian Genocide resolution possible before summer vacation

08.04.2008

 

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The Armenian Genocide Resolution, H.Res.106, has never been removed from agenda, Hay Dat and Political Affairs Office Director Kiro Manoyan told a news conference in Yerevan.

 

“I think that the vote may be held before the Congress goes on the summer vacation,” he said.

 

The Armenian Genocide Resolution was adopted by the House Foreign Affairs Committee with a vote 27 to 21 on October 10, 2007. The vote in the full House has not been scheduled yet. Meanwhile, several Congressmen recalled their signatures under pressure of the Turkish lobby.

 

As to nomination of Marie L. Yovanovitch to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Armenia, Mr Manoyan said, “The Bush administration has probably decided that long absence of Ambassador in Yerevan can affect relations with Armenia and damage U.S. positions in the entire region.”

 

U.S. Charge d’Affairs, Mr Joseph Pennington has been acting as Ambassador for 18 months already.

 

An earlier attempt to nominate Amb. Richard Hoagland to replace Amb. Evans was blocked by Sen. Robert Menendez (Dem.-N.J.), to protest the dismissal of Amb. Evans and to object to Amb. Hoagland’s poor choice of words in responding to Senators’ questions on the validity of the Armenian Genocide.

 

[Aratta-Kingdom]

 

 

House vote on Armenian Genocide resolution possible before summer vacation

 

 

08.04.2008

 

 

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The Armenian Genocide Resolution, H.Res.106, has never been removed from agenda, Hay Dat and Political Affairs Office Director Kiro Manoyan told a news conference in Yerevan.

 

“I think that the vote may be held before the Congress goes on the summer vacation,” he said.

 

The Armenian Genocide Resolution was adopted by the House Foreign Affairs Committee with a vote 27 to 21 on October 10, 2007. The vote in the full House has not been scheduled yet. Meanwhile, several Congressmen recalled their signatures under pressure of the Turkish lobby.

 

As to nomination of Marie L. Yovanovitch to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Armenia, Mr Manoyan said, “The Bush administration has probably decided that long absence of Ambassador in Yerevan can affect relations with Armenia and damage U.S. positions in the entire region.”

 

U.S. Charge d’Affairs, Mr Joseph Pennington has been acting as Ambassador for 18 months already.

 

An earlier attempt to nominate Amb. Richard Hoagland to replace Amb. Evans was blocked by Sen. Robert Menendez (Dem.-N.J.), to protest the dismissal of Amb. Evans and to object to Amb. Hoagland’s poor choice of words in responding to Senators’ questions on the validity of the Armenian Genocide.

 

[Aratta-Kingdom]

 

 

 

Pelosi willing to bring Armenian Genocide Resolution to House floor

 

 

 

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Discussion of the Armenian Genocide Resolution, H.Res.106, approved by the House Foreign Affairs Committee is still on the agenda, AAA Regional Director for Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh said Friday.

 

“Ms. Pelosi is willing to bring the Armenian Genocide to House floor. She is just awaiting congressional support essential for passage of the measure,” Arpi Vartanian said.

 

“The resolution is co-sponsored by 211 Congressmen against the required 218. The Armenian Assembly of America is working for the purpose,” she said, Novosti Armenia reports.

 

H.Res.106 was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives on January 30, 2007. It doesn’t need approval by the Senate or President.

 

 

[Aratta-Kingdom]

 

 

Shahan Kandakharyan: it’s Turkish leaders who are engaged in “cheap policy”

 

 

14.11.2008

 

 

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Turkey’s Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Edrogan’s statement that the Armenian Diaspora is engaged in “cheap political lobbying” makes one think, Shahan Kandakharyan, editor-in-chief of Beirut-based Azdak newspaper told a PanARMENIAN.Net reporter.

 

“The Turkish government is seriously concerned over the activities of the Armenian lobby in the U.S. as well as over President-elect Barack Obama’s pledge to recognize the Armenian Genocide. Actually, it’s conditioned by the possibility of passing H.Res.106 in Congress next year,” he said.

 

“The U.S.-Turkey relations do not have a brilliant perspective, which are mostly based on misinformation as regards the Armenian issue. So, it’s Turkish leaders who are engaged in “cheap policy,” Kandakharyan said.

 

Commenting on Turkish government’s reaction regarding U.S. president-elect Barack Obama and his team’s stand on the Armenian Genocide, Erdogan said the campaign carried out by the Armenian Diaspora in the United States is not fair.

 

"I hope the new U.S. administration would take into account Turkey’s efforts. It is not fair to make a judgment upon such cheap political lobbying,” Erdogan told a conference in Columbia University in New York.

 

 

[Aratta-Kingdom]

 

 

 

Turkish MFA: U.S. may recognize Armenian Genocide in early 2009

 

 

14.11.2008

 

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ There are four major issues which can cause serious disagreement between Turkey and the new U.S. administration, namely Cyprus, Iraq, Afghanistan and the Armenian Genocide, Hurriyet Daily News quoted a senior Turkish Foreign Ministry official as saying on condition of anonymity.

 

In relation to the Armenian Genocide, Turkish diplomats think the recent rapprochement between Ankara and Yerevan may not be enough to stop the Armenian Diaspora’s efforts in the United States to have the 1915 events officially recognized as genocide.

 

“Both Obama and Biden promised their Armenian voters to press for recognition. There could be attempts early next year," the official said, adding, "But we have already launched preventive measures. In our early contacts with Obama and Biden’s advisers, we were clear about the sensitivity of the issue."

 

Meanwhile, during a meeting with former U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, visiting Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan discussed the possibility of Turkey’s mediation between the United States and Iran and also referred to the Armenian Genocide issue.

 

[Aratta-Kingdom]

 

 

 

 

New U.S. administration majority stands for Armenian Genocide recognition

 

 

14.01.2009

 

 

 

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Majority of the U.S. 111th Congress members stand for recognition of the Armenian Genocide at the hands of the Ottoman Empire in 1915, Armenian National Committee of America Communications Director Elizabeth Chouljian told PanARMENIAN.Net.

 

"April 24, 1915, signified the beginning of a systematic attempt by the Ottoman regime to deport and exterminate Armenians from the Anatolian Peninsula. Over the next 8 years, 1 1/2 million Armenian people were murdered by minions of the Ottoman Empire. Those who were spared were driven from their homes. It is for those victims, and it is for all oppressed peoples today, those who have died and those who survived, that we take time to reflect on the Armenian genocide and its implications for all of us today," said CIA Director-designate Leon Panetta.

 

Interior Secretary-designate Ken Salazar, Labor Secretary-designate Hilda Solis and Transportation Secretary-designate Ray LaHood are among Cosponsors of Armenian Genocide Resolution H.Res.106.

 

In addition to Administration officials, the U.S. Congress is today led by among the most energetic and vocal advocates of American recognition of the Armenian Genocide.

 

"A grave injustice was committed and the fact that our nation is not officially recognizing these crimes as genocide is a disappointment," said Speaker of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi.

 

"It truly saddens me that after 93 years, the U.S. has failed to acknowledge the Armenian

Genocide for what it was," said Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid.

 

"Genocide is a very powerful word, and should be reserved for only the most horrific examples of mass killing motivated by a desire to destroy an entire people. Without a doubt, this term is appropriate to describe the unimaginable atrocities suffered by the Armenian people from 1915 to 1918," said House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Howard Berman.

 

"Acknowledging when genocide has occurred is not simply a theoretical or legal exercise. It is key to preventing genocide from happening again. That’s why, in my view, we must change U.S. policy to reflect the true nature of the tragic events that were perpetrated against the Armenians by calling them what they were: genocide," said Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry.

 

[Aratta-Kingdom]

 

 

 

Adoption of Armenian Genocide resolution in new U.S. Congress real

 

 

21.01.2009

 

 

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ A resolution on the Armenian Genocide recognition can be introduced in the U.S. Congress in the near future and the new administration will hardly block its adoption, an Armenian professor said.

 

“With Barack Obama coming to power, recognition of the Armenian Genocide by the United States has become quite possible. Nevertheless, the 44th U.S. President will refrain from using the term ‘genocide’ in his April 24 statement,” Ruben Safrastyan, director of the Institute of Oriental Studies at the RA Academy of Sciences, told a news conference in Yerevan today.

 

During his historical election campaign Obama numerously stated that “America deserves a leader who speaks truthfully about the Armenian Genocide and responds forcefully to all genocides.”

 

He also pledged to cement the U.S.-Armenian relations, which will contribute to development of democracy in Armenia.

 

[Aratta-Kingdom]

New Drive For Genocide Resolution Launched

 

Armenian National Committee of America

1711 N Street, NW

Washington, DC 20036

Tel. (202) 775-1918

Fax. (202) 775-5648

Email.anca@anca.org

Internet www.anca.org

 

PRESS RELEASE

February 12, 2009

Contact: Elizabeth S. Chouldjian

Tel: (202) 775-1918

 

NEW DRIVE FOR ARMENIAN GENOCIDE RESOLUTION LAUNCHED

 

-- Adam Schiff joined by George Radanovich and Armenian Caucus

Co-Chairmen Frank Pallone and Mark Kirk in Seeking Bipartisan

Support for Human Rights Measure

 

WASHINGTON, DC - A letter seeking U.S. House cosponsors for a

renewed drive to secure the adoption of the Armenian Genocide

Resolution was circulated today on Capitol Hill by the

legislation's lead authors, Congressman Adam Schiff (D-CA) and

George Radanovich (R-CA), and Armenian Caucus Co-Chairmen Frank

Pallone (D-NJ), and Mark Kirk (R-IL), reported the Armenian

National Committee of America (ANCA).

 

"We join today with millions of Armenians throughout the United

States, in Armenia, and around the world in welcoming the launch of

this new drive toward U.S. recognition of the Armenian Genocide,"

said Aram Hamparian, Executive Director of the ANCA. "It's always

the right time to take a stand against genocide. Now - with

long-standing advocates of this noble and necessary cause in the

White House, leading the State Department, serving in the Cabinet,

heading up both Houses of Congress, and chairing key Congressional

committees - we are set to overcome the final barriers to full and

formal U.S. recognition of the Armenian Genocide."

 

In the letter, the four legislators invited their House colleagues

to join the resolution as original cosponsors, which will mean that

they will be listed as supporters starting from the day of its

introduction. During the recently concluded 110th Congress, an

identical measure secured the support of 212 cosponsors, was

adopted by the Foreign Affairs Committee, but was eventually

blocked from a vote on the House floor by sustained attacks by

then-President George W. Bush and his Administration.

 

In urging early support for this human rights measure, the four

lead sponsors noted that, "By properly acknowledging the Armenian

Genocide, we reaffirm the willingness of the U.S. to speak plainly

about genocide, and renew our commitment to prevent other

occurrences of man's inhumanity to man."

 

The Armenian Genocide Resolution reaffirms the U.S. record on the

Armenian Genocide by ensuring that the foreign policy of the United

States reflects appropriate understanding and sensitivity

concerning issues related to human rights, ethnic cleansing, and

genocide documented in the United States record relating to the

Armenian Genocide.

Edited February 13, 2009 by Aratta-Kingdom

[Aratta-Kingdom]

 

 

 

Armenian Assembly of America hopes US to recognize the Armenian Genocide in 2009

 

 

 

Regnum

http://www.regnum.ru/english/1120464.html

 

 

Armenian Assembly of America (AAA) expects newly elected President Obama to keep his pledges, including recognition of the Armenian Genocide, which was done during his election campaign. It was declared by Arpi Vartanyan, the Regional Director of AAA for Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh, during a press conference on February, 4, in Yerevan. She underlined, that US vice-president Joe Biden, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama always came forward for recognition of the Armenian Genocide.

 

As reports a REGNUM correspondent, Vartanyan stressed that “The Assembly negotiates with the Congressmen, Obama’s administration members and groups dealing with Armenian issues for soonest recognition of the Armenian Genocide”.

 

Regional Director of AAA also underscored that Turkey also does not sit back and do nothing. "Turkey continues its Anti-Armenian policy. It is not occasional the visit of Turkish delegations to Washington with the purpose to dissuade the US administration, that the recognition of the Armenian Genocide is not in their interests ", — said she. However, according to Vartanyan, Turkey softened its positions, the witness of which is 30000 signatures under a document, where Turkish society expresses regret for performed at the beginning of 20th century and begs pardon for the Armenian people. Vartanyan believes the exacerbation of Turkish-Israeli relations had certain impact on the issue of Armenian Genocide.

 

[Aratta-Kingdom]

 

Washington briefing : Congressional support sought for Genocide resolution as opposition readies

 

 

 

http://www.reporter.am/go/article/2009-02-...osition-readies

 

 

Washington, - In a message to fellow members of Congress, Reps. Adam Schiff (D.-Calif.), George Radanovich (R.-Calif.), Frank Pallone (D.-N.J.) and Mark Kirk (R.-Ill.) are urging them "to re-affirm the U.S. record on the Armenian Genocide by cosponsoring a bipartisan resolution" on the subject, according to a February 10 electronic letter made available to the Armenian Reporter.

 

The letter seeks co-sponsors for the resolution prior to its formal introduction and congressional consideration. In January 2007, when a similar resolution was introduced, it had 160 original co-sponsors.

 

That resolution gained the support of a majority of House members (more than 218) before the resolution's approval by the House Foreign Affairs Committee in October 2007. But the number of co-sponsors fell to about 200 after defections caused by lobbying by the Bush administration on behalf of the Turkish government.

 

The administration of President Barack Obama has not yet taken a formal position on the issue. While members of the Senate and throughout the presidential campaign, Mr. Obama, Vice-President Joe Biden, and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton were supporters of affirmation.

 

Last week, two members of the Turkish parliament from the ruling party, Suat Kiniklioglu and Cuneyt Yuskel, were in the United States to lobby against the resolution. According to the Jamestown Foundation's translation, the two, having met U.S. officials and Jewish-American leaders, told Zaman newspaper that the "pro-Israel lobby will stay neutral if a genocide resolution is brought to the Congress; in case a resolution passed, Turkey should not hold Israel responsible as such a policy would make the Congress upset; and in order to prevent such genocide resolution, Turkey should open its Armenian border."

 

Mr. Kiniklioglu also told Azeri Press Agency (APA) on February 9, "if Mrs. Clinton opposes a draft resolution, the Armenian lobby will face with more difficulties to bring a new resolution to the Congress. I can say that Hillary Clinton has a key to this issue."

 

Meanwhile, Turkish foreign minister Ali Babacan reportedly raised the issue with Vice President Biden when they met during the Munich Security Conference last weekend.