January 19, 2013 - 09:29 AMT
ANCA launches webmail campaign for Genocide recognition

The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA), in its congratulations message on the occasion of Barack Obama's second inauguration, called upon the President to "reset" his relationship with Armenian Americans with a pre-April 24th policy-level meeting with the community's broad-based leadership.

“We are writing to congratulate you on your reelection as President of the United States, to welcome your inauguration, and, on behalf of our nation’s two million Americans of Armenian heritage, to reaffirm our interest in working with your Administration to align U.S. policy with the principles and priorities that you brought to the White House,” began the letter to the President. ANCA Chairman Ken Hachikian went on to cite the importance of a community leadership meeting with the President, which would “provide a first opportunity for our leadership to hear from you personally about your perspectives and policies, and to explore areas of future cooperation.”

The ANCA also launched a community webmail campaign asking President Obama, quite simply, “when will you honor your pledge to recognize the Armenian Genocide?” Reminding the President of his strong record of affirming the historical truth regarding the Armenian Genocide during his years in the Senate, the online campaign notes, “Armenia and all the world are less safe today as a result of the terrible precedent of a genocide committed with impunity.” It goes on to state that “there is still time, as early as this coming April 24th, to honor your commitment and put America on the right side of this fundamental issue of humanity and human rights.”