U.S.-based Armenian organizations urge Obama to visit Armenia

PanARMENIAN.Net - Sixteen Armenian organizations in the United States addressed a letter to U.S. President Barack Obama, Horizon Weekly reports.

The letter reads:

“We are writing to encourage you to participate in Armenian Genocide Centennial remembrance ceremonies, both in Armenia and here in the United States.

We would be honored by your participation, in Yerevan, in the April 22 and 23 global forum, "Against the Crime of Genocide," as well as the solemn April 24 ceremony at Armenia's Tsitsernakaberd Armenian Genocide Memorial.

Here in the United States, we urge you to take part in the May 7 special service at the National Cathedral organized by the Conference of Catholic Bishops and the National Council of Churches of Christ.

As you know, your predecessor, President Woodrow Wilson, alerted by Ambassador Henry Morgenthau's urgent cables warning of a "campaign of race extermination" against the Armenian people, authorized an American Military Mission to Armenia, led by Major General James Harbord, who submitted his report to Congress.

The report read in part: "mutilation, violation, torture and death have left their haunting memories in a hundred beautiful Armenian valleys, and the traveler in that region is seldom free from the evidence of this most colossal crime of all the ages."

With an outcry of support for the suffering of the Armenian people and with widespread coverage in major newspapers, including the New York Times and Washington Post, Congress chartered the Near East Relief, which raised over $116 million to help aid survivors of the Armenian Genocide, including 132,000 orphans.

Mr. President, the Centennial of the Armenian Genocide presents a unique opportunity for the United States to honor our nation's proud role in protesting this crime against humanity and in bringing relief to its survivors. Your unequivocal affirmation of the Armenian Genocide will send a powerful message regarding America's principled stand against all genocides - past, present, and future.

In addition, your visit to Armenia can have a tremendous impact on peace and stability in the South Caucasus region. As leaders of organizations and faith-based groups representing our nation's citizens of Armenian heritage, we thank you for your consideration of our request and look forward to hearing from you on this matter of profound meaning for our community and all humanity.”