ANCA Challenges Obama Administration’s Attack on Genocide Resolution

Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) Chair Ken Hachikian gave voice to the profound moral outrage of Armenian-American voters over the decision last week by President Obama, who had earlier this year abandoned his own pledge to recognize the Armenian Genocide, to launch a White House drive to block proper Congressional commemoration of the Armenian Genocide, reads an ANCA press release.

In a letter sent today to the White House, Hachikian noted: "Mr. President, in attempting to enforce Ankara's gag rule on US recognition of the Armenian Genocide — both within your Administration and now in Congress — you have, very sadly, signaled to all the world that our silence on genocide can be bought in exchange for perceived geopolitical advantage or compromised under threat from a foreign power. Your policy is now fully complicit in Turkey's campaign of Genocide denial."

Hachikian’s letter, in part, reads:

“Your Administration's efforts to undermine the adoption of the Armenian Genocide Resolution, coming, as they do, in the wake of both your broken pledge to recognize the Armenian Genocide and your abandoned promise to "strongly support" the Armenian Genocide Resolution, represent a stark departure from the commitments you made to the American people during your campaign for office.

“Rather than honouring your words, you are, today, using the full force of your Administration to attempt to block members of Congress from doing exactly that which you yourself promised, namely properly commemorating this crime against humanity.

“As you recall, as US Senator, you sharply criticized President Bush's policy of non-recognition and opposition to Congressional commemoration as ‘inexcusable.’ In fact, while in Congress you were joined by then-Senators Joe Biden and Hillary Clinton in formally calling on President Bush to properly mark this crime against humanity, noting that full US recognition of the Armenian Genocide serves ‘the best interest of our nation and the entire
global community.’

“I would like to take this opportunity, once again, to encourage you to honour your as-yet unfulfilled pledge to remain actively engaged with Armenian-American leaders.

“As it stands now, more than a year into your Administration, despite the considerable personal attention you have devoted to Armenian issues and your multiple discussions with Turkey's leaders about the Armenian Genocide, you have not even once met with the American citizens descended from the survivors of this crime.

“As a first step toward addressing this imbalance, I would respectfully recommend that you call a meeting, at your first opportunity, with our broad-based community leadership.”