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Armenian lobby blasts Bush over refusal to say 'genocide'

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  • Armenian lobby blasts Bush over refusal to say 'genocide'

    Armenian lobby blasts Bush over refusal to say 'genocide'

    The New Anatolian / Washington



    The Armenian diaspora in the U.S. is criticizing President W. Bush for not using the term "genocide" during his speech Monday to commemorate the controversial events of 1915.

    The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) accused Bush of not keeping his promises to Armenians on April 24, the date they claim as the commemoration of the genocide claims, in a written statement Thursday.

    "Despite the request of more than 200 U.S. Congress members for Bush to morally clarify the issue through his statement on April 24, the president didn't keep his promise and declined to define the event as the Armenian 'genocide'," ANCA said.

    The Armenian Assembly of America (AAA), another prominent Armenian association in the U.S., also criticized his statements, saying, "We're deeply disappointed because the act which aimed at annihilating Armenians wasn't described as 'genocide.'"

    More than 20 Congress members participated in a ceremony to commemorate the Armenian claims of genocide held at the Congress on Thursday and the participants accused Turkey of "denial."

    During his annual speech to mark April 24, following both his own practice and that of past presidents, Bush didn't use the term "genocide," but said instead, "Today we're remembering one of the horrible tragedies of the 20th century." Describing the controversial events as a "tragedy" for all humanity and one "that we and the world must never forget," Bush said, "We mourn this terrible chapter in history and recognize that it remains a source of pain for people in Armenia and for all those who believe in freedom, tolerance, and the dignity and value of every human life. It's a credit to the human spirit and the generations of Armenians who live in Armenia, the U.S. and around the globe that they've overcome this suffering and proudly preserved their centuries-old culture, traditions, and religion."

    Bush also called on Turks and Armenians to forge a dialogue in order to normalize their relations.

    The Armenian diaspora accuses the Ottoman Empire of deliberately massacring up to 1.5 million Armenians between 1915 and 1919. Turkey stresses that these figures are inflated and says that far fewer Armenians died, due to civil unrest under the conditions of World War I and the collapse of the Ottoman Empire. Turkey also claims that during the ethnic conflict, thousands of Turks were also killed by Armenian militants.

    Ankara and Yerevan are at odds over the Armenian claims of genocide. To break the deadlock, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan last year suggested the establishment of a committee of Turkish and Armenian historians to study the claims, in a letter sent to Armenian President Robert Kocharian. But Kocharian refused Erdogan's proposal, saying that the two countries must first establish diplomatic relations and that committees could be formed only within the process of normalization of relations.

  • #2
    Caucus Co-chairs, Members Urge President Bush

    Armenian Assembly of America
    1140 19th Street, NW, Suite 600
    Washington, DC 20036
    Phone: 202-393-3434
    Fax: 202-638-4904
    Email: [email protected]
    Web: www.armenianassembly.org


    PRESS RELEASE
    April 27, 2006
    CONTACT: Karoon Panosyan
    E-mail: [email protected]


    CAUCUS CO-CHAIRS, MEMBERS URGE PRESIDENT BUSH TO CONDEMN AZERI ACTIONS
    AGAINST ARMENIA, KARABAKH

    President Bush, Azeri President to meet tomorrow

    Washington DC - On the eve of President Bush's meeting with Azerbaijani
    President Ilham Aliyev, Members of the Congressional Caucus on Armenian
    Issues are calling on the U.S. leader to firmly denounce Azerbaijan's
    ongoing war mongering, and other actions, against the Republic of
    Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh.

    Caucus Co-Chairs Joe Knollenberg (R-MI) and Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ),
    along with Caucus Members George Radanovich (R-CA) and Adam Schiff
    (D-CA), sent a letter to the President that states in part:

    "Azerbaijani government officials have consistently threatened war and
    fostered anti-Armenian intolerance. Ignoring international criticism,
    President Aliyev has repeatedly declared that Azerbaijan could launch a
    new military offensive against Karabakh, and that he is waging a 'cold
    war' against Armenia where the ongoing negotiations are only a way to
    achieve unilateral Armenian concessions." (The complete text of the
    congressional letter is attached below.)

    "We thank Congressmen Knollenberg, Pallone, Schiff and Radanovich for
    expressing their strong concerns regarding Azerbaijan to President
    Bush," said Assembly Executive Director Bryan Ardouny. "Rather than
    continuing to threaten military aggression and blockade Armenia,
    Azerbaijan should instead adhere to the standards of democracy, human
    rights, and justice as espoused in our National Security Strategy which
    was announced by President Bush last month."

    In a speech before the Council on Foreign Relations in Washington today,
    Aliyev continued making bellicose statements against Armenia, saying
    that the "war is not over," and that the "patience of the Azerbaijani
    people has limits."

    The congressional letter also notes that in the past year, Baku has
    increased its military spending by 100 percent and is working with
    Turkey to push forth an $800 million railroad proposal aimed at
    isolating Armenia from East-West commercial corridors.

    The lawmakers also highlight Azerbaijan's continued human rights
    violations, specifically a disturbing film which captured Azerbaijani
    soldiers destroying historical Armenian monuments in the medieval
    cemetery of Julfa, Nakhichevan in Azerbaijan.

    The Congressmen also underscored the fact that Azerbaijan's actions are
    counterproductive to the stability of the South Caucasus as well as U.S.
    objectives in the region.

    ###

    NR#2006-043

    Editor's Note: Attached is the full text of the congressional letter to
    President Bush.

    April 26, 2006

    The Honorable George W. Bush
    President of the United States
    The White House
    1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
    Washington, DC 20500

    Dear Mr. President,

    It is our understanding that you will be meeting with President of
    Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev later this week. We urge you to take this
    opportunity to condemn the Azerbaijani war rhetoric and other actions
    taken against the Republic of Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh which
    undermine U.S. objectives in the region.

    In the years since the 1994 cease-fire agreement in the Nagorno Karabakh
    conflict, Azerbaijani government officials have consistently threatened
    war and fostered anti-Armenian intolerance. Ignoring international
    criticism, President Aliyev has repeatedly declared that Azerbaijan
    could launch a new military offensive against Karabakh, and that he is
    waging a "cold war" against Armenia where the ongoing negotiations are
    only a way to achieve unilateral Armenian concessions.

    As part of this campaign, this year Azerbaijan has increased its
    military spending by 100% over the previous year to more than $600
    million. It has also tightened the seventeen year economic blockade
    against Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh. Moreover, President Aliyev has
    indicated he would not engage in any confidence-building measures with
    Armenia and he had "no desire" to tone down his country's war-mongering
    and anti-Armenian propaganda.

    Under the backdrop of the peace talks last December, eyewitnesses
    captured on film Azerbaijani soldiers destroying historical Armenian
    monuments in the medieval cemetery of Julfa, Nakhichevan of the
    Azerbaijan Republic. Condemned by the European Parliament, this
    incident is not isolated. A Scottish expert on Armenian architecture,
    who traveled through Nakhichevan in the summer of 2005, found that a
    number of Armenian monuments that were intact as late as the 1980s were
    razed to the ground. Knowingly expunging traces of Armenian presence
    also raises serious questions about Azerbaijan's commitment to engage in
    the peace process.

    We acknowledge and appreciate the assurances of the Administration that
    U.S. opposition to such tactics has been officially conveyed. However,
    the United States will be unable to advance its policy objectives and
    the OSCE Minsk process will achieve nothing if Azerbaijan is allowed to
    risk war with impunity. These counterproductive strategies are
    undermining the stability of the South Caucasus region.

    We urge you to condemn these actions and call upon President Aliyev and
    Azerbaijan to desist from making any further threats against its
    Christian neighbors Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh.

    We look forward to working with you on this issue and look forward to
    your response.

    Sincerely,

    Rep. Joe Knollenberg
    Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr.
    Rep. George Radanovich
    Rep. Adam Schiff
    "All truth passes through three stages:
    First, it is ridiculed;
    Second, it is violently opposed; and
    Third, it is accepted as self-evident."

    Arthur Schopenhauer (1788-1860)

    Comment


    • #3
      ANCA Helps Raise Awareness on Southland Campuses

      Armenian National Committee of America - Western Region
      104 North Belmont Street, Suite 200
      Glendale, California 91206
      Phone: 818.500.1918 Fax: 818.246.7353
      [email protected] www.anca.org
      +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
      PRESS RELEASE +++ PRESS RELEASE

      For Immediate Release: Tuesday, May 2, 2006

      Contact: Maral Habeshian
      Tel: (818) 500-1918

      ANCA Helps Raise Awareness on Southland Campuses

      LOS ANGELES -- In a variety of student-organized events commemorating
      the Armenian Genocide, the ANCA joined southland Armenian Student
      Associations (ASA) to not only provide historical background on the
      issue, but also briefings about ongoing efforts of Armenian Genocide
      recognition, the importance of activism, as well as Turkey's ongoing
      campaign of denial.

      California State University, Northridge

      On Thursday, April 22, ANC Professional Network Executive Committee
      member Boghos Patatian, spoke at the annual candlelight vigil organized
      by the California State University, Northridge ASA. His message
      highlighted the duty of the college youth in seizing every opportunity
      to advance the Armenian community and the community-at-large.

      "This tremendous collection of young people should be commended for
      their achievements. It is both overwhelming and satisfying that these
      youth are not indifferent to the Armenian Cause. It is an honor to
      those who were denied an education because they perished during the
      Genocide, and the ANCA is proud to be able to help facilitate this
      through its direction and resources," noted Patatian.

      "I appreciated his emphasis that April 24 is not just one day,
      but that the Armenian Cause must be pursued every day of the year,"
      remarked Terenig Topjian about Patatian's address.

      Topjian, an officer and event organizer with the CSUN ASA, explained
      that when fellow students approach him asking about the Genocide,
      his confidence in the impact and importance of such events is simply
      reaffirmed. He stressed that the event received coverage by both the
      CSUN daily newspaper the "Sundial," and local television network KTLA.

      All Armenian Student Association

      ANCA Western Region board member Raffi Hamparian, delivered the keynote
      address at the annual All-Armenian Student Association commemoration
      on April 22. Organized by over a dozen ASAs throughout southern
      California colleges, the event, with the theme "a call to action,"
      was the subject of a lengthy article in Monday's edition of the UCLA
      Daily Bruin student newspaper.

      University of Southern California

      In addition to many community-wide events on April 24, the ANCA also
      joined the University of Southern California (USC) for its annual
      campus commemoration at Tommy Trojan, which featured ANCA Western
      Region board chairman Steve Dadaian.

      "Mr. Dadaian highlighted the Republic of Turkey's continued campaign
      of denial that not only targets our government, but our campuses as
      well," noted USC ASA officer Ruzan Antossyan, who was the day's emcee.

      The USC event featured exhibits covering the history of the Genocide
      as well as ANCA prepared petitions to key members of US House
      of Representative calling on a vote on pending Armenian Genocide
      legislation. "We reached out to a broad campus audience."

      Fellow USC ASA officer Mercedes Aline Arslanian enthusiastically said
      that nearly 300 petitions were signed. "When I see people genuinely
      interested in the program, and expressing increased interest about
      the Genocide and what they can do, I know we are succeeding."

      University of California Irvine

      ANC Orange County member Ara Malazian delivered the keynote address
      at the University of California Irvine (UCI) ASA's annual candlelight
      vigil that featured Genocide survivor Yeghsapet Garabedian, and drew
      numerous non-Armenian students. Malazian highlighted the importance
      of keeping the issue of justice for the Armenian Genocide at the
      forefront of the community's thoughts and actions.

      Though the event was disrupted by a few Turkish students shouting
      vulgar comments and waving the Turkish flag, campus police readily
      maintained order. "It means we are making a difference and raising
      awareness when they have to stoop to such levels," said UCI ASA Vice
      President Sarkis Abajian.

      Pointing to Malazian's address that emphasized Turkey's failure in
      attempting to destroy Armenians, Abajian said, "Sometimes we lose sight
      of the fact that we did survive and now thrive." And as a result,
      he explained that Armenians have made progress in pursuing justice for
      the Armenian Genocide. "There was more discussion and awareness about
      the genocide on campus this year. There were a lot of non-Armenian
      students who participated in the vigil. We are pushing forward."

      Not confined to college campuses, the ANCA also participated in a
      number of commemorations at local high schools and youth organizations
      including Grant HS, Calabasas HS, Ferrahian HS, and at the Homenetmen
      Glendale "Ararat" chapter's assembly.
      "All truth passes through three stages:
      First, it is ridiculed;
      Second, it is violently opposed; and
      Third, it is accepted as self-evident."

      Arthur Schopenhauer (1788-1860)

      Comment


      • #4
        Originally posted by RUDO
        Armenian lobby blasts Bush over refusal to say 'genocide'

        The New Anatolian / Washington



        The Armenian diaspora in the U.S. is criticizing President W. Bush for not using the term "genocide" during his speech Monday to commemorate the controversial events of 1915.

        The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) accused Bush of not keeping his promises to Armenians on April 24, the date they claim as the commemoration of the genocide claims, in a written statement Thursday.

        "Despite the request of more than 200 U.S. Congress members for Bush to morally clarify the issue through his statement on April 24, the president didn't keep his promise and declined to define the event as the Armenian 'genocide'," ANCA said.

        The Armenian Assembly of America (AAA), another prominent Armenian association in the U.S., also criticized his statements, saying, "We're deeply disappointed because the act which aimed at annihilating Armenians wasn't described as 'genocide.'"

        More than 20 Congress members participated in a ceremony to commemorate the Armenian claims of genocide held at the Congress on Thursday and the participants accused Turkey of "denial."

        During his annual speech to mark April 24, following both his own practice and that of past presidents, Bush didn't use the term "genocide," but said instead, "Today we're remembering one of the horrible tragedies of the 20th century." Describing the controversial events as a "tragedy" for all humanity and one "that we and the world must never forget," Bush said, "We mourn this terrible chapter in history and recognize that it remains a source of pain for people in Armenia and for all those who believe in freedom, tolerance, and the dignity and value of every human life. It's a credit to the human spirit and the generations of Armenians who live in Armenia, the U.S. and around the globe that they've overcome this suffering and proudly preserved their centuries-old culture, traditions, and religion."

        Bush also called on Turks and Armenians to forge a dialogue in order to normalize their relations.

        The Armenian diaspora accuses the Ottoman Empire of deliberately massacring up to 1.5 million Armenians between 1915 and 1919. Turkey stresses that these figures are inflated and says that far fewer Armenians died, due to civil unrest under the conditions of World War I and the collapse of the Ottoman Empire. Turkey also claims that during the ethnic conflict, thousands of Turks were also killed by Armenian militants.

        Ankara and Yerevan are at odds over the Armenian claims of genocide. To break the deadlock, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan last year suggested the establishment of a committee of Turkish and Armenian historians to study the claims, in a letter sent to Armenian President Robert Kocharian. But Kocharian refused Erdogan's proposal, saying that the two countries must first establish diplomatic relations and that committees could be formed only within the process of normalization of relations.
        Rudo,

        You should know very well that the LAST PLACE ON EARTH to find the truth about a the Armenian issue is the United States. This is mainly because the American system is excessively open to lobbying and pressure groups. No offense, but for me each and every non-Armenian politician or academic supporting the Armenian cause is bought by Armenian lobbying groups. The same is true for nonTurkish supporters of the Turkish position, I equally suspect them of receiving one form of financial compensation from the Turkish lobbyists.And finally, the U.S administration keeps conflicting groups on leash unless it has a vital interest at provocating both sides to attack each other.

        Let's be assured that as long as the U.S needs Turkey as a strategic ally, they won't recognize any genocide. One day if and when they want to invade Turkey, let's be assured that they will suddenly find out about Turkey's past genocides.

        I am making these observations without making any judgments about Turkish or Armenian claims. But "Kopruyu gecene kadar ayiya dayi demek - To call the bear the uncle until having crossed the bridge" should have been an American idiom, not a Turkish one! (This is maybe uncle ("Dayi" in Turkish) and bear ("Ayi" in Turkish do not rhyme in English, but I have my doubts..

        Comment


        • #5
          I am making these observations without making any judgments about Turkish or Armenian claims. But "Kopruyu gecene kadar ayiya dayi demek - To call the bear the uncle until having crossed the bridge" should have been an American idiom, not a Turkish one! (This is maybe uncle ("Dayi" in Turkish) and bear ("Ayi" in Turkish do not rhyme in English, but I have my doubts
          U.S.A's main policy is ''Köprüyü geçene kadar ayıya dayı demek''(To call the bear the uncle until having crossed the bridge).One day Turkey is dayı another it may be ayı.

          Comment

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