WASHINGTON, DC – The text of the Kerry campaign’s response to a
fabricated story that recently appeared in the Turkish newspaper
Zaman is provided below.

“We appreciate John Kerry’s quick action to set the record straight
regarding a blatantly fabricated attempt to misrepresent his 20-year
record of principled support for U.S. recognition of the Armenian
Genocide, strong U.S.-Armenia ties, and other issues of special
importance to Armenian American voters,” said ANCA Executive
Director Aram Hamparian.

“Senator Kerry’s rapid response to this latest act of desperation by
deniers of the Armenian Genocide underscores the depth of his
commitment to recognizing the Armenian Genocide, highlights the
importance he attaches to reaching out to Armenian American voters,
and dramatically illustrates the contrast between his record of
principled leadership and the President’s neglect and opposition to a
broad range of Armenian American issues,” added Hamparian.

For Immediate Release Contact:

Mark Kitchens, 202-464-2800
October 9, 2004

RESPONSE TO FALSE REPORTS IN ZAMAN ABOUT JOHN KERRY’S POSITION ON ISSUES OF IMPORTANCE TO ARMENIAN AMERICANS

Today John Kerry Spokesman Mark Kitchens issued the following
statement in response to false reports in Zaman about John Kerry’s
position on issues of importance to Armenia Americans. “There is no
truth to the report published recently in the Turkish newspaper
“Zaman.”

“John Kerry’s record in the Senate and his statements during this campaign have consistently supported U.S. recognition of the Armenian Genocide. “John Kerry is a long-time leader on issues of concern to Armenian Americans and is proud to have been endorsed by the Armenian National Committee of America.

“The choice for Armenian Americans is clear. They can either have four
more years of neglect and even outright opposition from the Bush administration, or a Kerry-Edwards administration that supports the
issues they care about and welcomes their input.”