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PRESS
RELEASE
For Immediate Release ~ July 22, 1999
Contact: Lucy Keshishian
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ARMENIAN AMERICAN DEMOCRATS PRAISE BRADLEY'S STATEMENT ON ARMENIAN GENOCIDE AT NATIONAL PRESS CLUB
C-SPAN Appearance Reinforces Appeal to Armenian American Voters
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Falls Church, VA: Democratic Presidential candidate Bill Bradley, speaking today before a sold-out crowd at the National Press Club in the nation's capital, reiterated his support for recognition by the Turkish Government of this century's first genocide. Bradley's statement, broadcast nationally on C-SPAN, came in response to a question posed to him at the conclusion of his prepared remarks.
"Armenian-Americans have a great friend in Bill Bradley," commented AADLC National Co-Chair Zanku Armenian. "In addition to his many solid policy positions, Senator Bradley's principled view on Armenian Genocide recognition, as expressed at today's speech at the National Press Club, sets him apart from other candidates and makes him worthy of support by Armenian American Democrats."
During the course of his address, Bradley touched on several themes, including his commitment to campaign finance reform, progress on race relations, and more effective educational programs for children. Following a series of questions on both foreign and domestic policy issues, the moderator, Press Club President Larry Lipman, asked the presidential hopeful the following question.
Question:
You mention human rights, I have three questions that touch on that. Let me see if I can summarize them. Basically the question is, what do you believe should be the role of human rights in foreign policy and comment on the Armenian Genocide and the plight of the Kurds?
Bradley:
Well, I think, first of all, there was an Armenian Genocide, which has yet to be acknowledged by the Turkish Government. I think it is important that it be acknowledged. I think that facing one's past is the only way that you get to a better future. I think human rights are an important part of who we are as a people and therefore it should be an important part of our foreign policy.
In April of this year, Bradley issued a statement marking the 84th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. In a letter to AADLC Executive Director Alex Sardar, he explained that "the Armenian Genocide is not simply about Armenians. Its significance transcends the suffering of those most immediately affected. We cannot alter the fact that 1.5 million Armenians died at the hands of a brutal enemy, and we cannot question that this tragedy can go by no name but genocide."
Armenian Americans interested in sharing their views with Senator Bradley can contact his campaign at:
Bill Bradley for President 395 Pleasant Valley Way West Orange, NJ 07052 Tel: (973) 731-2100 Fax: (973) 731-4995 www.billbradley.com
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