Pledges To Recognize Genocide If Elected

PLEDGES TO RECOGNIZE GENOCIDE IF ELECTED

KarabakhOpen
07-02-2008 17:20:56

Washington, DC - Senator Hillary Clinton (D-NY), a cosponsor of the
Armenian Genocide Resolution (S. Res. 106), today urged Congress
to adopt this critical human rights legislation, saying if elected
president, she would speak candidly about the events of 1915.

Clinton is the second presidential candidate, following Senator
Barack Obama (D-IL), to issue a statement on the Armenian Genocide
in the past week. She is currently the only presidential candidate
to cosponsor the resolution.

Clinton said she has twice written to President Bush urging him
to properly characterize the crimes as genocide in his annual
commemorative statement.

"Our common morality and our nation's credibility as a voice for
human rights challenge us to ensure that the Armenian Genocide be
recognized and remembered by the Congress and the President of the
United States," Clinton stated.

"If the mass atrocities of the 20th Century have taught us anything
it is that we must honestly look the facts of history in the face in
order to learn their lessons, and ensure they will not happen again,"
she continued.

"It is not just about the past, but about our future."

Turning to the atrocities in Darfur, Clinton said that the U.S. "must
close the gap between words and deeds" to prevent such modern-day
crimes, adding, "As President, I will work to build and enhance
U.S. and international capacity to act early and effectively to
prevent mass atrocities."

Clinton also pledged to improve U.S.-Armenia relations and address the
issues facing the two nations including, increasing trade, fostering
closer economic ties, fighting terrorism, strengthening democratic
institutions, pursuing military partnership and deepening Armenia's
cooperation with NATO.

If elected, she would expand assistance programs to Armenia and
Nagorno Karabakh, and increase cooperation on regional concerns,
such as a fair and democratic resolution of the Karabakh conflict.

"The Assembly thanks Senator Clinton for her longstanding support
of the Armenian Genocide Resolution and for calling on Congress to
adopt legislation properly recognizing the first genocide of the 20th
century," said Executive Director Bryan Ardouny. "It is in the best
interest of this country, and the entire global community, to remember
the terrible lessons of 1915 and ensure they are never repeated."