WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Mark Kirk (R-IL), the Co-Chairman of the Armenian Caucus, has sharply criticized the Obama Administration’s support for the creation of an “official commission” on the Armenian Genocide, an initiative long pursued by the Turkish government to cast doubt on the settled history and thoroughly documented record of this crime against humanity, reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).

In a reference to the President’s many pledges to recognize the Armenian Genocide and his record in the Senate calling for the full and proper condemnation of this crime, Congressman Kirk stated that, “Despite repeated pledges to recognize the Armenian Genocide, the State Department now supports the establishment of an official commission to review whether a genocide happened at all. The United States should be leading the world in calling for recognition of the Armenian Genocide — not supporting efforts to rewrite history.”

Earlier this month, Congressman Kirk, who has emerged as a leading contender for the Illinois Senate seat vacated by President Obama, joined with his Armenian Caucus Co-Chairman Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and Armenian Genocide Resolution sponsors Adam Schiff (D-CA) and George Radanovich (R-CA), on the eve of the October 10th signing of controversial Turkey-Armenia Protocols, in describing the establishment of a historical commission as “a thoroughly discredited idea.” The four legislators stressed that, “Turkey cannot be allowed to re-invent this tragic part of its history as a price for normal relations with Armenia. To do so means acquiescence in a charade that demeans the memory of so many victims.”

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