ANCA Comments on LA Times Coverage of Obama Genocide Pledge

WASHINGTON–ANCA executive director Aram Hamparian, in response to a March 17 Los Angeles Times article titled “Obama wavers on pledge to declare Armenian Genocide,” issued the following statement:

“During Barack Obama’s years in the U.S. Senate and in the months leading up to his election last November as President, he clearly characterized the Armenian Genocide as a thoroughly documented instance of genocide, forcefully called for U.S. recognition of this crime, and consistently pledged to properly recognize the Armenian Genocide if elected to the White House.  We know the President to be a man of his word, respect his commitment to ending the cycle of genocide, and look forward to his finally bringing an end to U.S. complicity in Turkey’s shameful campaign of genocide denial.”

Rep. Adam Schiff, in a comment to the LA Times in response to those seeking to discourage the President from honoring his pledge, said, “The argument that some are making now is only the latest incarnation of the same old tired refrain: that we should recognize the genocide—just not this year.”

To see Obama’s complete record on Armenian Genocide recognition, visit http://www.anca.org/assets/pdf/hill_notes/022409.pdf.

To read the LA Times piece, visit http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-obama-genocide17-2009mar17,0,3250498.story.

Guest Contributor

Guest Contributor

Guest contributions to the Armenian Weekly are informative articles or press releases written and submitted by members of the community.

2 Comments

  1. President Barack Hussein Obama allegedly backs off from his candidacy pledge to declare and formally Recognize the Armenian Genocide of 1915-1923, reports Paul Ritcher of the Los Angeles Times:

    “The administration is considering postponing a presidential statement amid warnings that it would risk Turkey’s help in the Mideast.

    Reporting from Washington — The Obama administration is backtracking on a promised presidential declaration that Armenians were the victims of genocide in the early 20th century, fearful of alienating Turkey when U.S. officials badly want its help.”

    To clarify, President Obama has NOT officially made any public announcements or released any statement confirming the claims of Paul Ritcher and the Los Angeles Times article.

    Response from the Armenian-American Community

    By Andre Arzoo

    Field Director for the ‘Armenians for Obama’ 2008 Campaign and Columbia University Grad Student, William Bairamian, strongly believes in the importance between differentiating the alleged claims by Paul Ritcher regarding Obama’s position on the issue, from official statements coming out of the White House. For the record:

    “Although Mr. Richter and the L.A. Times seem to have preemptively accused President Obama of equivocating on his principled stance of recognizing the Armenian Genocide, this should be a wake-up call to every American – of Armenian origin or otherwise – that fighting genocide and fighting its denial are ongoing battles and that we can never become complacent. We must exercise our right as citizens of the United States to remind our president of his promise to recognize the Armenian Genocide – and we must tell him that today, tomorrow, and every day until he does.”

    Article Continued:
    armenianamerica.wordpress.com/2009/03/16/and-another-one-obama-backs-off-pledge-to-declare-armenian-genocide/

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