Thursday, March 21 2019 14:07

ArmInfo. Hawaii Congresswoman and Presidential Candidate Tulsi Gabbard (D) called for a just resolution of the Armenian Genocide and pledged to promote the  security and prosperity of Armenia and Artsakh in a video statement  released to the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) earlier  today.  

It is the first presidential campaign statement on Armenian  American concerns released in preparation for the much anticipated  2020 election.  According to the ANCA press release, received by  ArmInfo, this is the first election statement in the framework of the  election campaign of the upcoming presidential elections scheduled in  the US in 2020, and related to the Armenian-American problems.

 "I was so grateful to have the opportunity in 2017 to visit Armenia  and Artsakh, where I gained a deeper understanding about both the  challenges and the opportunities facing the Armenian people," began  the two-minute statement, which comes just days after a meeting with  ANCA advocates in the San Francisco-Bay Area.  "The Armenian  community here in the United States has played a positive and  integral role for well over a century, and I am proud to support and  stand with this community's objectives to realize a just resolution  of the Armenian Genocide and to promote the security and prosperity  of the citizens of Armenia and Artsakh." 

Commenting on the broad range of foreign policy challenges facing the  United States today, Rep. Gabbard noted "it's especially critical  that we pursue a foreign policy that rejects this fossilized,  zero-sum thinking of 'you're either with us or against us. In order  for us to win, you must lose.' Instead, we must pursue a foreign  policy that is based on cooperation with other countries, rather than  confrontation."

Rep. Gabbard stated her support for the continued role of the U.S. as  a mediator in Artsakh peace talks through the OSCE Minsk Group, then  noted, "but this does not mean that we continue a policy of false  parity and fail to speak honestly when either party violates the  cease- fire. In order to maintain credibility as an impartial broker,  the United States should not promote a resolution that's based on  immediate and permanent concessions by Armenia or Artsakh only, in  the absence of equivalent concessions by Azerbaijan.  And while the  principle for respect for territorial integrity must be adhered to,  we also must stand for the right to self- determination for all  people." Rep. Gabbard urged that the "Armenian Genocide must be  recognized in order to bring about justice for one of the most  egregious crimes against humanity in history." 

"We want to thank Congresswoman Gabbard for clearly communicating her  constructive policy priorities, on video and in person, with Armenian  American voters," said ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian.  "Her  proven track record of legislative support - including, of course,  her fact-finding mission to Artsakh and Armenia - has earned her an  'A+' rating from the ANCA.  Heading into the 2020 primaries,  Congresswoman Gabbard's pro-active campaign outreach has set the  standard for candidates seeking the support of a highly engaged  Armenian American electoral constituency that is well-positioned to  play a decisive role on Super Tuesday and in other nominating  contests across the country."

ANCA Executive Director Aram Ambaryan thanked Congressman Gabbard for  clearly informing him about his constructive political priorities in  a video message, including on the Armenian- American agenda.

ANCA also reported that Congresswoman Gabbard received an "A+" rating  by the ANCA in 2018 for her support on a broad range of Armenian  American community priorities including co- sponsorship of the  Armenian Genocide Resolution (H.Res.220), support for expanded aid to  Armenia and Artsakh, and efforts to block U.S. arms sales to Turkey  following the 2017 attack on peaceful protesters by President  Erdogan's bodyguards. In November, 2017, Rep. Gabbard was one of  three U.S. Representatives to travel to the Republic of Artsakh, over  objections by the U.S. State Department.

In the current Congress, she is an original co-sponsor of the  Armenian Genocide Resolution to be introduced by Rep. Adam Schiff  (D-CA) and Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) in the upcoming weeks and has  co-sponsored the Artsakh Travel and Communication Resolution  (H.Res.190), introduced by Rep. Frank Pallone (D-CA), which seeks to  lift barriers to close U.S. - Artsakh relations.