Candidates for Australian parliament pledge support to Armenian Genocide recognitionSeptember 10, 2007 - 13:45 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - In a meeting with the Armenian National Committee of Australia earlier this week, Federal Labor Candidate for Bennelong, Ms. Maxine McKew declared she would "unequivocally and publicly" support the recognition of the Armenian Genocide if elected to government in the upcoming federal elections. "It was my position while working in the media and remains my position today," said the former ABC journalist who will challenge Prime Minister John Howard for the Armenian populated seat of Bennelong in the 2007 Federal election. Ms. McKew added: "The Armenian-Australian community has a kindred spirit in me and if elected, I will advocate for recognition of the Armenian Genocide by the Government of Australia."ANC Australia President, Mr Varant Meguerditchian welcomed Ms McKew's affirmation, stating: "The 4000-strong Armenian-Australian voters of Bennelong will wait to hear the position of other candidates, including Prime Minister John Howard, regarding the issue of Armenian Genocide recognition before casting their united votes at the upcoming election." "Recognizing the Armenian Genocide is the first step toward ensuring against the repeat of such hateful crimes," added Mr Meguerditchian. "Ms McKew has set the moral high bar by genuinely expressing her views concerning this very important humanitarian issue." Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | Macron honors Charles Aznavour on 100th anniversary French President Emmanuel Macron has paid tribute to the memory of French-Armenian crooner Charles Aznavour. Blinken says U.S. reviewing a number of aid requests from Armenia He said the U.S. is reviewing the requests to determine what more it can do to increase its assistance to Armenia. At least 2 CSTO members participated in preparing 44-day war against Armenia – PM Nikol Pashinyan has declared that at least two CSTO member countries participated in preparations for the 44-day war against Armenia. Armenia PM meets Iran’s Supreme Leader in Tehran Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan had a meeting with Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Seyyed Ali Khamenei |