STATEMENT ISSUED BY THE OBAMA/BIDEN CAMPAIGN OFFICE - November, 2008

BARACK OBAMA: SUPPORTING U.S.-ARMENIA RELATIONS

The Armenian Genocide, carried out by the Ottoman Empire from 1915 to 1923, resulted in the deportation of nearly 2 million Armenians, and approximately 1.5 million of those deported were killed. Barack Obama believes we must recognize this tragic reality and strongly supports a U.S.-Armenian relationship that advances our common security and strengthens Armenian democracy.

Recognition of the Armenian Genocide: Barack Obama shares with Armenian Americans a principled commitment to ending genocide. That starts with acknowledging the tragic instances of genocide in world history. As a senator, Obama has stood with the Armenian American community in calling for Turkey's acknowledgement of the Armenian Genocide. He criticized the Secretary of State two years ago for the firing of the U.S. Ambassador to Armenia, John Evans, after he used the term "genocide" to describe Turkey's slaughter of thousands of Armenians starting in 1915. Obama wrote that the Armenian Genocide is not an allegation, a personal opinion, or a point of view, but rather a widely documented fact supported by an overwhelming body of historical evidence.

Barack Obama strongly supports passage of the Armenian Genocide Resolution (H.Res.106 and S.Res.106) and will recognize the Armenian Genocide.

Genocide Prevention: The U.S. and the entire global community must remember the past and learn from these crimes against humanity to make sure that they never happen again. Sadly, genocide persists today and threatens our common security and common humanity. In Sudan, we are witnessing many of the same brutal tactics - displacement, starvation, and mass slaughter - that were used by the Ottoman authorities against Armenians in 1915. Obama has been a leading voice urging the Bush administration to take stronger steps to end the genocide in Sudan. He traveled to the United Nations to meet with Sudanese officials, visited refugee camps on the Chad-Sudan border, pushed for the deployment of a robust multinational force for Darfur, and urged divestment from companies doing business in Sudan.

Commitment to Armenian Americans: Barack Obama has a strong record on issues of concern to the 1.5 million Americans of Armenian heritage in the United States. As president, Obama will maintain our assistance to Armenia, which has been a reliable partner in the fight against terrorism and extremism. An Obama administration will help foster Armenia's growth and development through expanded trade and targeted aid. He will also strengthen the commercial, political, military, developmental, and cultural relationships between the U.S. and Armenian governments. Obama will continue his active engagement with Armenian American leaders on the full range of issues of concern to the Armenian American community to build upon the enduring ties and shared values that have bound together the American and Armenian peoples for more than a century.

 

From ASBAREZ.Com  -  April 2008

Senator Obama Pledges Continued Efforts To Press Turkey To Acknowledge Armenian Genocide

WASHINGTON--Democratic Presidential Candidate Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) pledged to continue his efforts to press Turkey to acknowledge the Armenian Genocide, in a strongly worded statement submitted Tuesday to the Congressional Record marking the 93rd Anniversary of this crime against humanity, reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).

The statement by the Senator, who has been endorsed in the Democratic primaries by the ANCA, was one of 30 remarks by Senators and Representatives including those by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV), Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Joe Biden (D-DE), House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD) and DCCC Chairman Chris Van Hollen (D-MD). Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) offered remarks at the April 23rd Armenian Genocide observance on Capitol Hill.

"Armenian Americans value Senator Obama's consistent and principled leadership in pressuring Turkey to acknowledge the Armenian Genocide and to end its shameful campaign to deny this crime against humanity," said ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian. "He remains clearly the best positioned to bring about real change, real action, and real hope for an end to the cycle of genocide."

In a statement issued to the Armenian American community on January 19, 2008, Sen. Obama had noted "America deserves a leader who speaks truthfully about the Armenian Genocide and responds forcefully to all genocides. I intend to be that President."

Sen. Obama's complete April 28th remarks and excerpts from other Congressional statements commemorating the Armenian Genocide are provided below.

Statement by Sen. Barack Obama Commemorating the Armenian Genocide
April 28, 2008

Mr. President, last week, we paused in remembrance of the Armenian genocide , which was carried out by the Ottoman Empire from 1915 to 1923. Nearly 2 million Armenians were deported, and approximately 1.5 million of those deported were killed.

It is imperative that we recognize the horrific acts carried out against the Armenian people as genocide and I will continue to stand with the Armenian American community in calling for the Government of Turkey to acknowledge it as such. The occurrence of the Armenian genocide is a widely documented fact supported by an overwhelming collection of historical evidence.

I was deeply disturbed 2 years ago when the U.S. Ambassador to Armenia was fired after he used the term "genocide" to describe the mass slaughter of Armenians. I called for Secretary Rice to closely examine what I believe is an untenable position taken by the US Government.

I will continue to push for the acknowledgement of the Armenian genocide, and I offer the Armenian people my condolences.