Kerry Denies Acceptance of Armenian ‘Genocide’

Kerry denied claims made by the Armenian lobby in late August that he will accept the Armenian Genocide resolution. The Presidential candidate told Reporters that he contributed to Senator Robert Dole’s initiatives on the subject in 1990, but said he has not made any statement that he would accept the resolution either before the upcoming elections on November 2nd or within the last 10 years. Kerry said, "Turkey is one of America’s oldest allies and it will remain so."

In the first round of debates between the presidential candidates, Kerry narrowed the gap between him and his Republican rival, US President George W. Bush. Kerry, like Bush, gave his full support to Turkey’s accession to the European Union (EU). The Massachusetts Senator added that Turkey’s candidacy is a must for both Europe and Turkey. He said if he is elected President, the friendship between the two countries will be maintained as is.

At a Democrat Party committee meeting on October 2nd, the Senator paused when he was told that his statement that he intends to accept the alleged Armenian genocide deeply upset Turkish society and voters of Turkish origin. He asked when he had made the statement and was told "last month." Kerry responded by absolutely denying it and stressed that he has said no such thing over the past ten years.

At a musical festival titled "Armenstock-Kef for Kerry" held on August 28, 2004 that was organized by the American National Committee for Armenians (ANCA) in Massachusetts, a letter allegedly sent by Kerry was read by Democratic Congressional member, Barney Frank. The letter conveyed that the Democratic Presidential candidate would accept the resolution on April 24, 2005, the 90th anniversary of the alleged Armenian genocide.