WASHINGTON, DC – As part of its ongoing efforts to help Armenian American voters make informed choices at the ballot box this November 7th, the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) has launched a nation-wide postcard campaign urging Vice -President Al Gore and Texas Governor George W. Bush to spell out their
exact positions on Armenian issues by responding to the ANCA Presidential Questionnaire.

“As public servants seeking our nation’s highest elective office, both Al Gore and George W. Bush have a civic responsibility to openly and honestly share with voters where they stand on the issues,” said ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian. “Both candidates will need to spell out their positions on the specific policy issues of importance to Armenian American voters – in clear and unambigious language – if they are to expect the support of our community on November 7th.”

Last year, friends of Armenia from across the United States took part in the ANCA’s Million Postcard Campaign to urge the Presidential candidates to publicly state their views on the Armenian Genocide. As a result, Al Gore, George W. Bush, John McCain and Bill Bradley all outlined their positions on this outstanding human rights issue. George W. Bush condemned the genocidal campaign against the Armenians and pledged to properly recognize the suffering of the Armenian people. Al Gore issued a statement on “Armenian Remembrance Day,” but did not characterize the Armenian Genocide as a “genocide.” (To read their full remarks, visit www.anca.org.) Despite their remarks on the Genocide, many questions remain unanswered about where the candidates stand on all the critical issues impacting Armenia, Karabagh, and the Armenian American community.

The ANCA Presidential Questionnaire calls upon the candidates to answer eighteen questions concerning their views on the Armenian Genocide; Self-Determination for Nagorno Karabagh; U.S. aid to Armenia and Nagorno Karabagh; the Section 907 restriction on U.S. aid to Azerbaijan, and; the Turkish and Azerbaijani blockades of Armenia and Karabagh, as well as planned pesidential visitations and the level of participation by Armenian Americans in the federal government. This Presidential Questionnaire postcard drive is part of the ANCA 2000 voter education campaign designed to 1) educate Armenian Americans about the policy issues impacting Armenia, Nagorno Karabagh, and the surrounding region; 2) provide timely and reliable information on the records and views of the candidates seeking Armenian American votes, and; 3) encourage increased civic participation by Armenian Americans in local, state, and national elections.

The ANCA grassroots network of regional offices, local chapters, and activists has already begun distributing the postcard sets to Armenian Americans in more than forty states. ANCA chapters will begin collecting signatures beginning as early as Labor Day weekend at churches, centers, community events, and through direct mail and the internet.

Additional postcards may be obtained by contacting your ANCA regional office or local chapter, or by contacting the ANCA office in Washington, DC by phone: (202) 775-1918 or by e-mail: anca@anca.org.