The Armenian
National Committee of America (ANCA) has
formalized its longstanding support for Barack
Obama with an official endorsement of the
Obama-Biden campaign for the Presidency of the
United States.
"The Armenian
National Committee of America is proud today to
formally announce our support for Barack Obama -
whom we endorsed this January in the Democratic
Primary and have energetically backed with
sustained, grassroots voter mobilization for the
past nine months," said ANCA Chairman Ken
Hachikian. "Based on Senator Obama's strong
record in office, his bold statements as a
candidate, and our judgment as to the types of
policies he will pursue as President, we believe
that an Obama-Biden Administration would be far
better positioned than a McCain-Palin one to
reflect the views and values of the Armenian
American community."
Barack Obama: The Choice for Change
 In
a powerful statement, issued on January 20th,
Senator Obama voiced his strong support for
passage of the Armenian Genocide Resolution and
pledged that, as President, he would recognize
the Armenian Genocide. The Presidential hopeful
also reaffirmed his support for a strong
"U.S.-Armenian relationship that advances our
common security and strengthens Armenian
democracy." Unlike other Democratic candidates,
he also pledged to "promote Armenian security by
seeking an end to the Turkish and Azerbaijani
blockades, and by working for a lasting and
durable settlement of the Nagorno Karabagh
conflict that is agreeable to all parties, and
based upon America's founding commitment to the
principles of democracy and self determination."
The key
elements of the Obama record that led to the
ANCA endorsement include the following:
* Public
criticism of the Bush Administration for firing
former U.S. Ambassador to Armenia John Evans
over his truthful remarks recognizing the
Armenian Genocide. He has publicly asserted
that, "An official policy that calls on
diplomats to distort the historical facts is an
untenable policy."
* Strong
support for the passage of the Armenian Genocide
Resolution currently before Congress, in his
capacity as Chairman of the Senate Foreign
Relations Subcommittee on European Affairs.
* A written
pledge to recognize the Armenian Genocide as
President, clearly spelling out his "firmly
held conviction 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. The facts are undeniable."
* A commitment
to ending the cycle of genocide. He has
said, on the record, that, "America deserves a
leader who speaks truthfully about the Armenian
Genocide and responds forcefully to all
genocides. I intend to be that President."
* Letters to
Pres. Bush urging him to properly recognize the
Armenian Genocide and a record of defending
that position, when challenged. While visiting
Azerbaijan in August 2005, in response to media
inquiries about why he signed these letters,
Senator Obama publicly defended his decision by
stating that the Armenian Genocide was a
historical fact.
* Commitment to
promoting Armenia's security "by seeking an
end to the Turkish and Azerbaijani blockades."
* Support for
"a lasting and durable settlement of the Nagorno
Karabagh conflict that is agreeable to all
parties, and based upon America's founding
commitment to the principles of democracy and
self determination."
READ MORE. . . Sen. Biden's Record | The
McCain-Palin
Record
|
Armenian
Americans
