Armenian National Committee of America 888 17th St., NW, Suite 904 Washington, DC 20006 Tel: (202) 775-1918 Fax: (202) 775-5648 E-mail: anca@anca.org Internet: www.anca.org PRESS RELEASE October 9, 2004 Contact: Elizabeth S. Chouldjian Tel: (202) 775-1918 KERRY CAMPAIGN SETS RECORD STRAIGHT ON FALSE STORY IN THE TURKISH PRESS
— Reinforces Strong Record on Armenian Issues;
Stresses Sharp Differences with President Bush
WASHINGTON, DC – The text of the Kerry campaign’s response to a fabricated story that recently appeared in the Turkish newspaper Zaman is provided below.
`We appreciate John Kerry’s quick action to set the record straight regarding a blatantly fabricated attempt to misrepresent his 20-year record of principled support for U.S. recognition of the Armenian Genocide, strong U.S.-Armenia ties, and other issues of special importance to Armenian American voters,’ said ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian.
`Senator Kerry’s rapid response to this latest act of desperation by deniers of the Armenian Genocide underscores the depth of his commitment to recognizing the Armenian Genocide, highlights the importance he attaches to reaching out to Armenian American voters, and dramatically illustrates the contrast between his record of principled leadership and the President’s neglect and opposition to a broad range of Armenian American issues.’
#####
For Immediate Release Contact: Mark Kitchens, 202-464-2800
October 9, 2004
RESPONSE TO FALSE REPORTS IN ZAMAN ABOUT JOHN KERRY’S POSITION ON ISSUES OF IMPORTANCE TO ARMENIAN AMERICANS
Today John Kerry Spokesman Mark Kitchens issued the following statement in response to false reports in Zaman about John Kerry’s position on issues of importance to Armenia Americans. “There is no truth to the report published recently in the Turkish newspaper “Zaman.” “John Kerry’s record in the Senate and his statements during this campaign have consistently supported U.S. recognition of the Armenian Genocide. “John Kerry is a long-time leader on issues of concern to Armenian Americans and is proud to have been endorsed by the Armenian National Committee of America.
“The choice for Armenian Americans is clear. They can either have four more years of neglect and even outright opposition from the Bush administration, or a Kerry-Edwards administration that supports the issues they care about and welcomes their input.”
– 30- [GROONG NOTE: Here’s the Zaman article in full. Over the last 2 days it has been submitted to us 8 times. –AB ]
Kerry Denies Acceptance of Armenian ‘Genocide’
Zaman Online – Zaman.org
INTERNATIONAL 10.09.2004 01:57 Saturday
[Some versions also dated:
October 8, 2004
Source: Zaman Gazetesi http://www.zaman.com/?bl=international&alt=&trh=20041008&hn=12850
The US Democratic Party’s Presidential Candidate, Senator John F. Kerry, put a damper on the expectations of Armenian lobbyists on the issue of genocide.
Zaman Turkey — Kerry denied claims made by the Armenian lobby in late August that he will accept the Armenian Genocide resolution. The Presidential candidate told Zaman that he contributed to Senator Robert Dole’s initiatives on the subject in 1990, but said he has not made any statement that he would accept the resolution either before the upcoming elections on November 2nd or within the last 10 years. Kerry said, “Turkey is one of America’s oldest allies and it will remain so.”
In the first round of debates between the presidential candidates, Kerry narrowed the gap between him and his Republican rival, US President George W. Bush. Kerry, like Bush, gave his full support to Turkey’s accession to the European Union (EU). The Massachusetts Senator added that Turkey’s candidacy is a must for both Europe and Turkey. He said if he is elected President, the friendship between the two countries will be maintained as is.
At a Democrat Party committee meeting on October 2nd, the Senator paused when he was told that his statement that he intends to accept the alleged Armenian genocide deeply upset Turkish society and voters of Turkish origin. He asked when he had made the statement and was told “last month.” Kerry responded by absolutely denying it and stressed that he has said no such thing over the past ten years.
At a musical festival titled “Armenstock-Kef for Kerry” held on August 28, 2004 that was organized by the American National Committee for Armenians (ANCA) in Massachusetts, a letter allegedly sent by Kerry was read by Democratic Congressional member, Barney Frank. The letter conveyed that the Democratic Presidential candidate would accept the resolution on April 24, 2005, the 90th anniversary of the alleged Armenian genocide.
Yorumlar kapatıldı.