Hillary Clinton: we will be looking very closely at challenging issues

PanARMENIAN.Net - As the world collectively embraces the irreversible trend of Armenian Genocide affirmation, the confirmation hearing of Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton is testament to the fact that there is no turning back.



"President-elect Obama and Senator Clinton have forcefully advocated for genocide prevention and affirmation and are poised to bring about a new direction in this key policy area, including the repudiation of President Bush's anti-Evans doctrine," said Executive Director of the Armenian Assembly of America (Assembly), Mr. Bryan Ardouny, the Assembly told PanARMENIAN.Net



The Assembly congratulated Senator John Kerry (D-MA) for his ascension to the Chairmanship of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Senator Kerry presided over the confirmation hearing of Secretary of State nominee Hillary Clinton (D-NY). Senator Clinton fielded a broad range of questions and is expected to be confirmed by the full Senate after the inauguration of President-elect Barack Obama.



During the question and answer session, Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ), a long-time supporter of Armenian issues, noted the importance of Armenian Genocide affirmation and the need to move forward, stating, "If we are to say 'never again,' part of that is ultimately the recognition of what has happened so that we can move forward. And I hope that you will be an advocate of having us get off of where we have been and move forward to a recognition of that part of history so that it is universally recognized so that we can move forward in that respect."



Secretary Designate Clinton responded, "We will be looking very closely at those and other challenging issues with the eye of moving forward and being effective in responding to these very legitimate concerns."



"The Armenian Assembly whole-heartedly concurs with Senator Menendez. Senator Clinton has consistently supported affirmation of the Armenian Genocide and the Assembly looks forward to working with the new Administration to reverse the Bush Administration's Anti-Evans Doctrine," stated Assembly Board Member Annie Totah.



During her historic presidential campaign Secretary Designate Clinton stated, "I believe the horrible events perpetrated by the Ottoman Empire against Armenians constitute a clear case of genocide. Our common morality and our nation's credibility as a voice for human rights challenge us to ensure that the Armenian Genocide be recognized and remembered by the Congress and the President of the United States."