WASHINGTON, DC – The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) today congratulated President-Elect George W. Bush on his election as President, offering support and assistance to his new Administration as it develops policies on issues of concern to Armenian Americans.
In a December 18th letter to the President-Elect George W. Bush, the ANCA specifically cited his campaign pledge on the Armenian Genocide, noting that Armenian Americans:
[…] look forward to your honoring of this pledge by clearly and unambiguously characterizing the Armenian Genocide as genocide.
In a February 19th statement, the President-Elect had said that “The Armenians were subjected to a genocidal campaign that defies comprehension and commands all decent people to remember and acknowledge the facts and lessons of an awful crime in a century of bloody crimes against humanity. If elected President, I would ensure that our nation properly recognizes the tragic suffering of the Armenian people.”
In the months leading up to the November 7th election, Armenian Americans participated in the ANCA’s Million Postcard campaign to encourage the major presidential candidates to outline their views on the Armenian Genocide and other issues of concern to Armenian American voters.
The full texts of the ANCA letter to President-Elect Bush and George W. Bush’s campaign statement on Armenian American issues are provided below. For additional information visit Election 2000
ANCA Letter to President-Elect Bush
The Honorable George W. Bush
President-Elect
Bush-Cheney Presidential Transition
1616 Anderson Road
McLean, VA 22102
Dear Mr. President-Elect:
On behalf of the Armenian National Committee of America, I am pleased to offer our warmest congratulations on your election as President.
As you know, Armenian Americans around the nation welcomed the principled positions you adopted during the campaign season on Armenian American issues, particularly your statement on the Armenian Genocide and your pledge to ensure its proper recognition by our nation. We look forward to your honoring of this pledge by clearly and unambiguously characterizing the Armenian Genocide as genocide.
We look forward as well to assisting your transition team and your new Administration as they develop policies that will strengthen our nation’s ties with Armenia and build upon the foundation of shared values and historical experience that has fostered the enduring bonds of friendship between the American and Armenian peoples.
Your principled stand on the Armenian Genocide will help to advance United States interests and American values in the region, as will policies that support a strong, prosperous, and democratic Armenia and that help to bring about a durable peace in Nagorno Karabagh that guarantees its population’s right to self-determination within secure borders.
Congratulations once again on your election. Please accept our sincere thanks for your friendship with our community.
With best regards,
[signed]
Aram Hamparian
Executive Director
George W. Bush’s Campaign Statement
George W. Bush for President
February 19, 2000
Mr. Edgar Hagopian
Mr. Vasken Setrakian
Dear Edgar and Vasken,
Thank you for your inquiry to my campaign regarding issues of concern to Armenian Americans.
The twentieth century was marred by wars of unimaginable brutality, mass murder and genocide. History records that the Armenians were the first people of the last century to have endured these cruelties. The Armenians were subjected to a genocidal campaign that defies comprehension and commands all decent people to remember and acknowledge the facts and lessons of an awful crime in a century of bloody crimes against humanity. If elected President, I would ensure that our nation properly recognizes the tragic suffering of the Armenian people.
The Armenian diaspora and the emergence of an independent Republic of Armenia stand as a testament to the resiliency of the Armenian people. In this new century, the United States must actively support the independence of all the nations of the Caucasus by promising the peaceful settlement of regional disputes and the economic development of the region. American assistance to Armenia to encourage the development of democracy, the rule of law and a tolerant open society is vital. It has my full support.
I am encouraged by recent discussions between the governments of Armenia and Azerbaijan. The United States should work actively to promote peace in the region and should be willing to serve as a mediator. But ultimately peace must be negotiated and sustained by the parties involved. Lasting peace can come only from agreements they judge to be in their best interests.
I appreciate the tremendous contribution of the Armenian community to the United States. The Armenian community has been and will continue to be a model of dedication to values of faith and family.
Sincerely,
[signed]
George W. Bush
