Senator Obama Reaffirms Commitment to Recognize Armenian Genocide as President

October 31, 2008

Los Angeles, CA - In an unprecedented move, the Obama for America campaign released a 3rd statement reaffirming Senator Obama's pledge to recognize the Armenian Genocide as President of the United States.

In a statement released to Armenians for Obama, the campaign stated, “Barack Obama shares with Armenian Americans a principled commitment to ending genocide. That starts with acknowledging the tragic instances of genocide in world history…Barack Obama strongly supports passage of the Armenian Genocide Resolution (H.Res.106 and S.Res.106) and will recognize the Armenian Genocide.” Click here to view the statement.

“We spoke with a representative of the campaign today and they have assured us that Senator Obama's position has not changed with regards to his support for the Armenian American community.  We are attaching the Senator's fact sheet which acknowledges the tragic reality of Armenian Genocide and reaffirms his commitment to strengthening Armenian democracy,” said Areen Ibranossian, Chairman of Armenians for Obama.

Over the past 10 months, Senator Obama has on at least 3 separate instances publicly stated his pledge to recognize the Armenian Genocide as President as well as his support for strengthening US relations with Armenia. No other Presidential candidate, from either party, has so vehemently stated their support for these issues.

“Over the course of this Presidential campaign America has seen a real difference in approach between Senators McCain and Obama. Senator Obama is committed to speaking openly and honestly about history -- about a Genocide that nearly wiped out an entire ethnic group. On the other hand, we have Senator McCain, who is more than willing to put political expediency above truth; who is willing to let a foreign country dictate U.S. policy on a fundamental human rights issue. These differences are very telling on how a potential Obama or McCain administration would behave, not just in regards to the Armenian Genocide, but as a whole,” said Armenians for Obama Chairman Areen Ibranossian.

Sen. Obama personally thanked Armenians for Obama last week for their nationwide campaign efforts for victory on November 4th stating that, “I know your hard work has made a difference in the past two years, and I know it's going to make the difference in these last few days."

To read all of the Sen. Obama's statements on Armenian American concerns, visit the Armenians for Obama website – www.armeniansforobama.com

Armenians for Obama is a nationwide voter registration, education, and mobilization effort dedicated to electing Barack Obama President. Based in Los Angeles, and with chapters and affiliates across the country, Armenians for Obama will harness the energy and enthusiasm for Barack Obama's candidacy to ensure record high Armenian American turnout in critical battleground states.

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