Congressman States Positions on ANCA Questionnaire; Special Election is Tues., Dec. 8
Congressman Mike Capuano (D-Mass.) affirmed his positions on a number of issues of concern to the Armenian American community in his responses to the ANCA Questionnaire for candidates for the U.S. Senate seat from Massachusetts. Concerning the provision in the Armenia-Turkey protocols for a “historical commission,” Capuano responded: “I consider the Armenian Genocide to be settled historical fact and I oppose establishing a commission or any other entity to reexamine that fact.”
Capuano clearly expressed his support for the independence of the Republic of Mountainous Karabagh and for providing continuing U.S. humanitarian and developmental aid to the republic, noting that he has voted for such aid in the past and “will continue to support this funding moving forward.” Providing aid directly to Karabagh is a key item in the legislative agenda of the ANCA as it both assists the people of the republic and bolsters its international legitimacy.
The congressman stated: “I am in favor of continuing military parity through funding provided by the U.S. to both Armenia and Azerbaijan. I believe it is essential that we not exacerbate any potential military conflicts in the region.” He also expressed support for Section 907 of the Freedom Support Act that limits U.S. aid to Azerbaijan until it lifts its blockades of Armenia and Karabagh. While he supports using legislative and diplomatic tools to urge Turkey to end its blockade of Armenia, he did not support linking Turkey’s ability to purchase U.S. arms to ending the blockade.
“Mike Capuano’s forthright opposition to the establishment of a historical commission, which would undermine decades of genocide research, is consistent with his long record in Congress of speaking out for justice for the Armenian Genocide” said ANC of Massachusetts co-chairman Dikran Kaligian.
The ANCA Questionnaire is distributed to candidates for federal offices so that the Armenian American community can be informed of their positions on critical issues of concern before casting their votes. The Democratic and Republican primary election will be held Tues., Dec. 8 to fill the U.S. Senate seat that fell vacant with the death of Senator Ted Kennedy.
Guest Contributor
Among U.S. politicians there are still honest persons.
Kudos for Mike Capuano; I always loved Ted Kennedy for his staunch stand for the Armenian Genocide and the Armenian people in general, and now I am really glad that this fine man Mr. Capuano will occupy the seat of another great man, Mr. Kennedy.
Capuano’s record:
Cosponsor of H.Res.106, Armenian Genocide Res. Affirming U.S. Record? YES
Voted for H.Res.106 in the House Foreign Affairs Committee? *Did Nothing*
Cosponsor of H.R.6079, End the Turkish Blockade of Armenia Act? **NO**
Signed the February 2008 letter to Secretary Rice condemning Azerbaijani war rhetoric targeting the Nagorno Karabagh Republic? **NO**
Signed the September 2008 letter to Pres. Bush supporting additional U.S. aid to Armenia and Javakhk to offset the effects of the Georgian conflict?
***NO***
Voted to Zero Out Military Aid to Azerbaijan in Foreign Operations Subcommittee? *Did Nothing*
Signed the March 2007 letter supporting pro-Armenian foreign aid issues? YES – but only after drastically reduced.
Signed the March 2008 letter supporting pro-Armenian foreign aid issues? YES- but only after yet again drastically decreased.
Participated in the March 2007 “End the Cycle of Genocide” Observance? *NO*
Participated in the March 2008 “End the Cycle of Genocide” Observance? *NO*
Participated in the April 2007 Capitol Hill Armenian Genocide Observance? *NO* Participated in the April 2008 Capitol Hill Armenian Genocide Observance? *NO* Participated in the September 2008 Capitol Hill Observance Marking the
20th Anniversary of the NKR movement? *NO*
Cosponsor of H.Res.102, Condemning the Assassination of Hrant Dink? YES
I agree with Mr. Jololian: Capuano is totally untrustworthy when it comes to Armenian issues. Capuano’s record – if you had read Mr. Jololian’s excellent post a week ago regarding Capuano’s cavelier treatment of the Armenian genocide – is clear: at root, he is no friend of Armenians.