LOS ANGELES, CA – Samantha Power, author of a new book on 20th century genocides, was the honored guest at a book signing event held at Borders Books in Glendale on April 28th hosted by the Armenian National Committee-Western Region Leadership Institute and a number of other community organizations. Power discussed her newly published book, A Problem From Hell: America and the Age of Genocide, focusing on the U.S. response to the Armenian Genocide of 1915 and the impact it had on subsequent genocides, arguing that in all instances the U.S. response has been inadequate.

“Power’s frank discussion about the denial of genocide sheds an important light on the Armenian-American community’s efforts to defend American values in their urgent call for U.S. recognition of the Armenian Genocide of 1915.” commented Raffi Hamparian, Armenian National Committee Western Region Board Member. “We greatly appreciate Samantha Power’s view of our country’s self-imposed paralysis when it comes to doing the right thing on the genocide issue.”

Power read from the first chapter of her book that highlights the assassination of Armenian genocide perpetrator, Talaat Pasha, by Soghomon Tehlirian, an Armenian who had witnessed the murder of his family by Turkish officials. Taking an unprecedented look at the impact of Tehlirian’s act, Power pointed out the key role he played in human rights history, by inspiring Raphael Lemkin to pursue the formation of the Genocide Convention. Her analysis continued with a critical examination of United States’ policies toward the Armenian Genocide and those that followed, pointing out the U.S. pattern of helping the victims of genocide but leaving the perpetrators unpunished.

Power’s presentation was followed by a brief question-and-answer session during which she commended the Armenian-American community for their exemplary efforts in pursuing the cause of genocide recognition, pointing out the important role it plays in addressing the inadequate U.S. response to genocide issues.

The event at Border’s was organized by the Armenian National Committee Western Region Leadership Institute, recently launched to bring prominent political, academic, and other civic leaders from across the United States face-to-face with the Armenian-American community.

Individuals wishing to learn more about this event or interested in receiving information on future events are encouraged to contact the ANCA-WR at (818) 500-1918 or send an e-mail to anc-wr@anca.org.

The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) is the largest and most influential Armenian American grassroots political organization. Working in coordination with a network of offices, chapters, and supporters throughout the United States and affiliated organizations around the world, the ANCA actively advances the concerns of the Armenian American community on a broad range of issues.