Dear Friends:I appreciate the August 24, 1996 letter from the Armenian Church of Austin and want to respond to the concerns it expressed. First, however, let me tell you of the splendid opportunity Libby and I shared last evening here in Washington. We participated in the celebration of the fifth anniversary of Armenian independence with the Armenian Ambassador at the Embassy. I visited with Dr. Rouben Adalian, Director of Research and Analysis with the Armenian Assembly of America concerning the scorecard for Members of Congress which I believe understates my own record on these issues. Most importantly, Libby and I were able to have an enjoyable but intensive discussion about Armenia at a small private dinner with Archbishop Khajag Barsamian and leaders of the Washington area Armenian American community.
In the last two weeks, I have reviewed all issues related to Armenia that have come before the Congress, any correspondence on these issues, and any commitments I have made. In summary:
- In October 1994, I responded to a questionnaire from the Armenian Church of Austin with affirmative answers to all inquiries, none of which addressed termination of assistance to Turkey.
- In April 1995, I personally participated in a Washington reception sponsored by the Armenian National Committee (ANCA), to commemorate the genocide.
- In June 1995, I supported amendments to the FY 1996 Foreign Operations Appropriations Bill maintaining the current prohibition on direct U.S. aid to the government of Azerbaijan and cutting U.S. economic aid to Turkey by almost half.
- In March 1996, at one of my neighborhood office hours, Tina K. [name abbreviated by editor] presented me with a copy of Dr. Dadrian's excellent book, The History of the Armenian Genocide. At her request, I forwarded a letter of support to be read at Dr. Dadrian's speech, which endorsed H.Con.Res. 47, a concurrent resolution honoring the memory of the victims of the Armenian Genocide.
- This year, I joined a congressional letter to the President regarding the Genocide.
- The FY 1997 Foreign Operations Appropriations Bill, presented on June 5, 1996, contained a provision denying aid to Turkey unless the blockade of humanitarian aid to Armenia is lifted as well as an amendment adopted earlier in the day, for which I voted, which abolished the President's ability to circumvent this limitation. The Radonovich amendment proposed yet a third limitation that seemed a step too far at this time. As you may know, after the amendment's adoption, the Turkish government announced that it would not accept economic aid under these conditions.
Although I fully recognize your deep concern about the Radonovich provision, I believe it would deny the United States leverage concerning both recognition of the genocide and other American interests in the Middle East. Consequently, I believe my provisions are consistent and do not represent a lack of support for the Armenian community.
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I hope we can build a stronger and long term relationship regarding our shared interest in the success of the Armenian democracy. [...]
Sincerely,
Lloyd Doggett