ANCA: Record Numbers Set to Watch WebCast of Genocide Vote

[Hovik]

The "OLIVE BRANCH"???

Something that the self-proclaimed 'human' Representative Burton said and some of his brainless colleagues regurgitated that WAS NOT REFUTED by any of those comittee members who supported the bill was the "OLIVE BRANCH" that Turkey had purportedly extended to President Kocharyan and Armenia earlier this year. But some very important facts were not pointed out by supporters of this bill.

The garbage this imbecile was referring to was Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan's proposal to have a joint (Armenian-Turkish) commission look into the events of 1915-1923.

Naturally the beasts who ignored and protested against the bill attempted to make the Armenian authority appear to cast aside the "OLIVE BRANCH". Nobody noted that Armenia has extended such an "OLIVE BRANCH" over and over again throughout the years without any cooperation.

However, opponents and supporters alike failed to point out the fact that Turkey had ATTACHED PRECONDITIONS to their little "OLIVE BRANCH". We know that Turkey demanded the withdrawl of Armenian Troops from Karabagh and the elimination of any Armenian claims of "Genocide". And how can a nation "Extend an OVLIVE BRANCH" while at the same time blockading it's neighbor from two different directions? Does this assertion hold water?

There are two main points here:

1. Armenia has offered such a commisssion TIME AND TIME AGAIN and it has NEVER BEEN ACCEPTED BY TURKEY.

2. NO SINCERE "OLIVE BRANCH" has impossible or unreasonable preconditions attached to it, unless it is for the purpose of SHOW ONLY.

While I feel that the supporters of this legislation did a phenominal job in presenting their views, I wish they had struck this very important blow to the opponents "OLIVE BRANCH" hoax that they successfully spoon-fed to all who listened to this event.

Hovik
AG.com Moderator

[Hovik]

Hovik's theory: Mr. Pamuk

I believe that because of the numerous occasions that the supporters of this bill brought up the fact that Turkey and Armenia would never have success in "working the problem out on their own" for the simple fact that Turkey imprisions it's own citizens for even mentioning the act - the Pamuk case will disappear.

Turkey will either drop it's case entirely against Pamuk, or swiftly try him and release with a slap on the wrist or less. Pamuk's treatment and violations of his own freedoms were brought up too often, and used as a weapon too much against Turkey in this comittee hearing, and Turkey will not allow that to escalate on the House or Senate floors.

Unfortunately if and when this happens, memory of the audacity of the Turkish Republic in this matter will cease to exist, until the next time it offends its citizens. Because the United States always takes a reactive instead of proactive approach to its diplomacy towards Turkey, it will continue to allow it to get away with such crimes at its will.

Hovik
AG.com Moderator

[imported_anoush]

Are you still here, Hovik?

What about that amendment that was attached to the resolution?

[Doberman]

Turkish PM seeks American Jewish support to derail Armenian Genocide legislature

15.09.2005 17:06 Noyan Tapan

YEREVAN - Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, in New York for the UN summit, has met with the leaders of the American Jewish community, Noyan Tapan reported, citing Turkish media reports.

Erdogan has asked the Jewish community's support in blocking the Armenian Genocide resolutions set to be considered at a key US House panel September 15.

The Jewish community leaders have promised Erdogan they would continue to assist Turkey in the Armenian Genocide issue.

[imported_anoush]

Turkish PM seeks American Jewish support to derail Armenian Genocide legislature

15.09.2005 17:06 Noyan Tapan

YEREVAN - Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, in New York for the UN summit, has met with the leaders of the American Jewish community, Noyan Tapan reported, citing Turkish media reports.

Erdogan has asked the Jewish community's support in blocking the Armenian Genocide resolutions set to be considered at a key US House panel September 15.

The Jewish community leaders have promised Erdogan they would continue to assist Turkey in the Armenian Genocide issue.

No sooner said than done..........................


14 September 2005-TURKEY /NEW YORK
Cihan News Agency-World

Jewish lobby in US pledges support to Turkey on Armenian allegiations

Representatives of the Jewish associations in the US have announced that they would favor Turkey if a draft bill regarding the Armenian allegations of genocide committed by the Ottoman authorities during WW1 are presented in the US Congress.

PM Recep Tayyip Erdošan today received representatives of US Jewish associations in New York where he will attend the United Nations Millennium Summit.

The Jewish representatives thanked Turkey for its help sent following the Katrina hurricane disaster, and also expressed their appreciation of Erdogan's contribution to regional stability and democratic efforts in the middle east.

In relation to attempts to have a bill passed in the US Congress condemning as genocide the deaths of Armenians in the Ottoman Empire during World War 1, the Jewish delegation said that they would go on backing Turkey. Erdošan also denied the allegations of genocide and stated that the archives relevant to the issue has been opened to researchers.

The Jewish delegation also expressed their thanks to Erdošan for Turkey's hosting of the recent Israeli-Pakistani top-level diplomatic meeting held in Istanbul.

http://www.cihannews.com

[Hovik]

Amendment

Anoush, like you and probably many others, the content and author of the proposed amendment are unknown to me. It was a very quick statement and so vague I wasn't able to understand if it was even observed by the committee. I kept losing my connection to RealPlayer so I missed some parts between reconnects. Anyway, I will try to find out if possible...

I should also note that the full video of the committee hearing will be posted in the very near future HERE
at which point we will be able to go back through and try to learn more about the proposed amendment. I'll also post the link in the Video and Audio section of this site.

[Hovik]

The Link to yesterday's committee hearing

Alright the Link to the video of yesterday's committee hearing on the Armenian Genocide is postedHERE

[Hovik]

System Of A Down Calls On Speaker Hastert

SYSTEM OF A DOWN CALLS ON SPEAKER HASTERT

A1+
| 13:06:07 | 22-09-2005 | Politics |

Thousands of Fans Respond to Alert on News Section of

https://www.systemofadown.com

Within hours of posting a notice last night on the System of a Down
website, thousands of fans from across the United States have sent
ANCA WebFaxes urging Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert to schedule
a U.S. House vote on legislation recognizing the Armenian Genocide,
reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA). The
letters, sent through the ANCA's free WebFax system, urge the Speaker
to honor his pledge, made in October of 2000, to hold a vote on the
Armenian Genocide Resolution. The WebFaxes stress that, "The Armenian
Genocide is a clear-cut moral issue.

Our government's failure to stand up to Turkey's denial is an outrage.

Today, the fate of this human rights issue rests in your hands. Do
the right thing - keep your pledge. Serve U.S. interests and American
values by allowing this legislation to reach the floor for a vote
at the earliest possible opportunity." On September 15th, the House
International Relations Committee overwhelmingly approved legislation
properly recognizing the Armenian Genocide. During the course of a
three-hour meeting, 21members of this 50-member panel spoke in favor
of H.Res.316 and H.Con.Res.195, which were adopted by bipartisan
majorities of 40 to 7 and 35 to 11, respectively.

Similar legislation was adopted by the Committee in 2000, but was
withdrawn by Speaker Hastert, at the urging of President Clinton,
only moments before it was to reach the House floor for a vote. In the
aftermath of his withdrawal of the measure, Speaker Hastert pledged
to hold a vote on the Armenian Genocide Resolution, but has, in the
five years that have followed, failed to honor this promise.

In May of this year, Mezmerize, the first half of the band's two-part
album Mezmerize/Hypnotize, debuted as the number-one selling CD in
the United States. On April 24th of this year, System held a sold-out
"Souls 2005" benefit concert for the ANCA and other groups working
to prevent genocide and counter genocide denial. The band has sold
nearly 10 million CDs worldwide. A Google search for "System of a
Down" returns over 1.6 million hits. The ANCA, at the invitation of the
band, has worked alongside Amnesty International and Axis of Justice at
activist tables at concerts to distribute educational materials, secure
signatures on petitions, field questions, and promote discussion about
the Turkish government's ongoing denial of the Armenian Genocide. For
information about System of a Down, including a full listing of their
remaining tour dates, visit: http://www.systemofadown.com. The full
text of the System of a Down action alert is provided below. It can
be viewed on-line by visiting www.systemofadown.com and clicking on
"NEWS."

9.20.05 - STAND WITH SYSTEM:

U.S. RECOGNITION OF THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE IS WITHIN REACH

Dennis Hastert, Speaker of the House, has it in his power to
accomplish one of System's goals - official U.S. recognition of
Turkey's destruction of 1.5 million Armenians between 1915 and
1923. On September 15th, a major Congressional committee - rejecting
attacks from Turkey and the Bush Administration - approved legislation
recognizing the Armenian Genocide. The next step is for the full House
of Representatives to take a final vote on this legislation. But
this is only possible if Hastert lets it happen. The choice is in
his hands. By allowing Congress to vote on this legislation, Hastert
can end U.S. denial of this crime and open the doors to justice - to
the restoration, reparation, and restitution owed to the victims of
genocide. By continuing to block a vote on this legislation, Hastert
effectively joins in the denial of this crime against humanity, and
the denial of justice to an entire nation. Join with System. Click
HERE to take action and send a free WebFax urging Hastert to hold a
vote on the Armenian Genocide Resolution.