ANCA: Obama-Biden victory powerful opportunity for U.S. recognition of Armenian Genocide

PanARMENIAN.Net - The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) welcomed President-elect Barack Obama and Vice-President-elect Joe Biden's historic win as a new and powerful opportunity for American recognition of the Armenian Genocide, stronger U.S.-Armenia relations, and U.S. support for a settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict that respects its citizens' right to self-determination, the ANCA told PanARMENIAN.Net



The ANCA also welcomed the election yesterday of 94% of the Congressional candidates it had endorsed in House and Senate races.



"The victory of Senators Barack Obama and Joe Biden stands as a testament to the strength of grassroots activism across the United States committed to change," stated ANCA Chairman Ken Hachikian.



"Starting with the ANCA's endorsement of Senator Obama in January of this year, Armenian Americans in battleground states - organized by an extremely effective and far-reaching Armenians for Obama operation - played a critical role in bringing Armenian American Democrats, Independents and a surprisingly large percentage of Republicans to the Obama-Biden ticket on Election Day. Our pre-election polls showed between 80 and 85% support for Obama-Biden in our community, a very strong showing, particularly in a community well represented across the American political spectrum, and a testament to the fact that Armenian Americans are willing to cross party lines to support pro-Armenian candidates."



"In many ways, this election marked the emergence of the Armenian American community as a powerful and broadly respected Presidential election constituency, one that is able - through grassroots efforts, campaign professionals, fundraising, media outreach, and get-out-the-vote - to help tip the balance in a close national contest toward the candidate best positioned to reflect our views and values," concluded Hachikian.



President-elect Obama was consistently strong in his outreach to Armenian American voters, issuing a powerful statement in January, 2008, voicing his vigorous support for passage of the Armenian Genocide Resolution and pledging 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 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 Karabakh conflict that is agreeable to all parties, and based upon America's founding commitment to the principles of democracy and self determination."



President-Elect Obama restated his pledge on two subsequent occasions, the last one in the form of a fact sheet issued just four days before the Presidential election, which stated in no uncertain terms "Barack Obama strongly supports passage of the Armenian Genocide Resolution (H.Res.106 and S.Res.106) and will recognize the Armenian Genocide."