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PRESS
RELEASE
For Immediate Release ~ April 21, 1999
Contact: Lucy Keshishian
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VICE PRESIDENT RESPONDS TO AADLC LETTER ON ARMENIAN GENOCIDE
Refuses to Acknowledge Ottoman Turkey's Systematic and Deliberate Campaign of Massacres and Deportations as Genocide
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Falls Church, VA: Vice President Al Gore, writing in response to a letter from the Armenian American Democratic Leadership Council, again failed to properly characterize the Armenian Genocide, and avoided entirely concerns raised nationally by Armenian American Democrats that he has retreated from his principled stand on the recognition of the first genocide of this century.
In a March 23rd letter (see attached), the AADLC specifically called upon the Vice President to address why he had retreated from the principled stand he had taken as a U.S. Senator, most notably in his vote in 1990 for the Armenian Genocide resolution. The AADLC asked Vice President Gore to explain why he had specifically and repeatedly failed to use the word "genocide" to describe Ottoman Turkey's systematic and deliberate destruction of the Armenian people. "This policy of not using the term genocide," the AADLC noted in its letter, "is reflected, to the best of our knowledge, in all your official statements and throughout your public record as Vice President."
In his April 15th response, addressed to AADLC Executive Director Alex Sardar, Vice President Gore avoided this issue, making no mention of his reversal of policy since becoming Vice President. The Vice President's letter (see attached) notes, instead, that "It is with a great sense of sorrow that we annually commemorate Armenian Remembrance Day. Last year, on April 24, President Clinton once again issued a declaration solemnly observing the memory of the victims of one of the darkest chapters in the history of this century, the deportations and massacre of a million and a half Armenians in the Ottoman Empire between 1915 and 1923."
"We are, first and foremost, saddened by the Vice President's refusal to characterize Ottoman Turkey's deliberate annihilation of its Armenian population as genocide," said Executive Director Alex Sardar. "At the same time, we are troubled by Vice President's failure to address the specific concern raised in our correspondence. Such an evasive response does not reflect the level of accountability we have the right to expect from our elected officials. Vice President Gore has clearly reversed policy. We simply want to know why."
Concerned Democrats can contact the office of the Vice President's political advisor, Maurice Daniel, by calling (202) 456-9029.
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TEXT OF VICE PRESIDENT GORE'S LETTER TO THE AADLC
The Vice President Washington
April 15, 1999
Mr. Alex Sardar Executive Director The Armenian American Democratic Leadership Council 2151 Dominion Way Falls Church, VA 22043
Dear Mr. Sardar:
Thank you for your recent correspondence and that of your membership. The promotion of human rights and democracy is one of the fundamental goals of U.S. policy. We all have a vital interest in strengthening the international system by bringing nations together around the basic principles of democracy, free markets and the rule of law.
It is with a great sense of sorrow that we annually commemorate Armenian Remembrance Day. Last year, on April 24, President Clinton once again issued a declaration solemnly observing the memory of the victims of one of the darkest chapters in the history of this century, the deportations and massacre of a million and one half Armenians in the Ottoman Empire between 1915 and 1923.
Even as we remember these tragic events, we also rededicate ourselves to helping build a peaceful and secure future for Armenia and its neighbors. U.S. support for Armenia's recovery and growth has been unmatched. Armenia has received far more assistance on a per capita basis than any other nation of the former Soviet Union. To ensure lasting independence, security and prosperity for Armenia and the entire Caucasus region, this Administration is working to encourage all parties in the area to develop normal relations with one another and to reach a peaceful settlement to the tragic Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
I look forward to advancing the work we both do in support of Armenia's independence and peace with its neighbors. Again, thank you for writing. Please share my comments with your colleagues.
Sincerely,
[signed] Al Gore AG/rar
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TEXT OF AADLC LETTER TO VICE PRESIDENT GORE
March 23, 1999
The Honorable Al Gore Office of the Vice-President Old Executive Office Building Washington, DC 20501
Dear Vice-President Gore:
I am writing to urge you to affirm your past support for the proper commemoration of the Armenian Genocide.
As a Senator, in 1990, you rejected the politically-motivated denials of the Turkish government and voted for the Armenian Genocide resolution. Since your election as Vice President, however, you have retreated from this principled stand, specifically and repeatedly failing to use the word 'genocide' to describe Ottoman Turkey's systematic and deliberate destruction of the Armenian people. This policy of not using the term "genocide" is reflected, to the best of our knowledge, in all your official statements and throughout your public record as Vice President. We are deeply troubled by this clear and distinct reversal of policy, for which the American people, and particularly those of Armenian heritage, deserve a full explanation.
Our community knows you as a great humanitarian and as a champion of human rights. We have repeatedly and respectfully called upon you to stand up for the truth, affirm the historical record of the Armenian Genocide, and bring an end to the safe haven that the White House has provided for the Turkish government's shameful campaign of denial.
In this spirit, we are interested in learning of the reasoning behind your reversal in policy on this issue of critical importance to the over one and a half million Americans of Armenian descent.
We eagerly await your reply.
Sincerely,
[signed] Alex Sardar Executive Director
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