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YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 1, ARMENPRESS. Senate Foreign Relations Committee members Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and Barbara Boxer (D-CA) questioned Secretary of State-designate John Kerry on a range of Armenian American concerns – from U.S. affirmation of the Armenian Genocide to our nation's efforts to address ongoing Azerbaijani threats against Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh - during the confirmation process for President Obama's nominee for this top diplomatic post. The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) informed "Armenpress" about this.
Answering Robert Menendez's question on the events of the World War I, John Kerry noted: "The U.S. government clearly acknowledges and mourns as historical fact that 1.5 million Armenians were massacred or marched to their deaths in the final days of the Ottoman Empire. These events resulted in one of the worst atrocities of the 20th century, and the United States recognizes that they remain a great source of pain for the people of Armenia and of Armenian descent as they do for all of us who share basic universal values. The President honors the victims every April 24th on Remembrance Day, so that we never forget this dark chapter in history. If confirmed as Secretary of State, my duty would be to represent the policies of the President and Administration faithfully. As the President has emphasized in his April 24th Remembrance Day statements, the achievement of a full, frank, and just acknowledgement of the facts of what occurred in 1915 is in all our interests. He also has said that the best way to advance that goal is for the Armenian and Turkish people to address the facts of the past as a part of their efforts to move forward. The United States is encouraging Turkey at the highest levels to engage productively with Armenia on the normalization protocols, to open the border, to reinstitute transportation, communication, and utility links between the two countries, and to re-establish diplomatic relations. If confirmed, I will continue to strongly support all efforts to normalize bilateral relations between Armenia and Turkey so that together, they can forge a relationship that is peaceful, productive, and prosperous."
In this respect Sen. Menendez noted: "The State Department has concluded, wrongly I think, to not recognize the Armenian genocide despite a replete historical record. I think it is a grave mistake to not recognize atrocities, historical facts for political reasons however compelling – I think it sends the wrong message to perpetrators and obfuscates the "never again" policy. As a member of the Senate you supported legislation recognizing the Armenian genocide and the deaths of 1.5 million Armenians who were brutally massacred or marched to their deaths in the waning days of the Ottoman Empire."
Among other things John Kerry noted: "The United States believes that full normalization of relations between Turkey and Armenia is important not only for the future of both countries, but for long-term stability and security in the Caucasus. Normalization between Turkey and Armenia remains a prominent feature of our dialogue with both countries. Secretary Clinton and other senior officials consistently raise the protocols with Turkish leaders at the highest levels, and if confirmed as Secretary, I will ensure that the State Department continues to do so."
Senator Barbara Boxer addressed Kerry questions regarding the Armenian-Azerbaijani relations and the Nagorno Karabakh conflict. She asked what steps the U.S. can take to put pressure on President Aliyev to reconsider his decision and return Mr. Safarov to jail. Aswering to the question Kerry underscored: "Immediately after learning of Azerbaijani President Aliyev's pardon of Ramil Safarov, the United States raised its concerns directly with the highest levels of the government of Azerbaijan. In addition, both the White House and the State Department released strong statements of concern over Mr. Safarov’s transfer and subsequent pardon. Mr. Safarov was tried and convicted of a brutal murder, and the United States was extremely troubled to learn that he would not serve the remainder of his sentence. As a co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group, the United States continues working to help the sides reach a peaceful resolution to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, and the United States condemns any action that fuels tension in the region or threatens to damage the peace process. If confirmed, I will continue to raise the concerns expressed by the United States previously and do everything I can to help the parties resolve the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict peacefully."
Also John Kerry was asked how he will respond, publicly and privately, to this threat and to any other new acts of aggression from Azerbaijan. Regarding this John Kerry stated: "The United States believes that the parties to this dispute must resolve this dangerous situation diplomatically; the Administration has firmly opposed any steps by any party that increase tensions in the region or threaten to damage the peace process in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. As a Co-Chair of the OSCE Minsk Group, along with Russia and France, the United States responded swiftly when such threats first appeared, and the Administration has continued to raise the issue bilaterally and through the Minsk Group Co-Chairs. If confirmed as Secretary of State, I will continue working to support the peace process and to oppose actions that could increase tensions in the region or damage the peace process."