White House says position on "Meds Yeghern" unchangedJuly 8, 2020 - 11:26 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The position of the United States Administration on the Medz Yeghern – a term used by the U.S. government to refer to the Armenian Genocide – has not changed, a White House statement provided to the Armenian service of Voice of America reveals. According to the statement, U.S. President Donald Trump reaffirmed the country's position on the matter when he said that "Meds Yeghern is a historic crime and a tragedy," and that "the U.S. stands by the Armenian people." The comments came in response to the use of the term Armenian Genocide by White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany during Monday, July 6's press briefing. McEnany referenced an "Armenian Genocide memorial" as she cited monuments and memorials that have recently been vandalized amid nationwide protests over racism and police brutality. A sculpture honoring victims of the Armenian genocide was vandalized in Denver in May. "There seems to be a lack of understanding and historical knowledge when the Armenian Genocide Memorial, remembering victims of all crimes against humanity, including slavery, is vandalized," McEnany said. Following McEnany's remarks, the Embassy of Armenia to the United States said Armenia appreciates "proper attention of the U.S. authorities to this issue. "The Foreign Ministry of the Republic of Armenia has already commented on the desecration of the cross-stone (khachkar) in Denver, Colorado, dedicated to the victims of the Armenian Genocide and all crimes against humanity. We appreciate proper attention of the U.S. authorities to this issue," a statement reads. Trump on April 24 issued a statement on the 105th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, failing, however, to use the term "genocide" and opting for Meds Yeghern, a phrase in Armenian which means a "a great calamity". Despite the stance of the White House on the matter, the House of Representatives on October 29, 2019 passed a resolution recognizing the 1915 Ottoman annihilation of Armenians as Genocide. On December 12, the Senate unanimously adopted a similar resolution. Top stories Six total incidents have burned 19 old-growth trees. Friday night 8 trees were torched along the beautiful main entrance. The EU does not intend to conduct military exercises with Armenia, Lead Spokesperson for EU Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Peter Stano says. Hikmet Hajiyev has said that there is no place for USAID operation in Azerbaijan any longer. A telephone conversation between Putin and Pashinyan before the CSTO summit is not planned, Peskov says. Partner news | Russia provides info about arrested Armenian ex-MP Russian law enforcement agencies have provided information about the arrest of Tigran Urikhanyan. 41 detained as antigovernment protests continue in Yerevan 41 people were detained in Yerevan as people demanding Pashinian’s resignation stage campaigns of civil disobedience. Armenia votes for UN resolution granting Palestine new rights The U.N. General Assembly voted by a wide margin on May 10 to grant new “rights and privileges” to Palestine. EU still discussing funding Armenia through European Peace Facility Discussions continue in the EU on providing Armenia with funds from the European Peace Facility, Vassilis Maragos says. |