Armenian National Committee of America - Update

ANCA ACTION: Increase U.S. Support for Armenia Send a Free ANCA WebFax to your Senators and Representative 1) 52 House Members Press Secretary Rice to Challenge Azerbaijan's Threats of Aggression 2) Rep. Sherman Confronts Administration on Reduced Armenia Aid Figures 3) ANCA & SONY BMG Entertainment to Host SCREAMERS DVD Launch Event REGISTER NOW! - Grassroots Advocacy Days in Washington DC - March 12-14, 2008 1) 52 House Members Press Secretary Rice to Challenge Azerbaijan's Threats of Aggression Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev WASHINGTON, DC – More than 50 Members of the U.S. House of Representatives called upon Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice today to challenge Azerbaijan’s threats of renewed war against Armenia and Nagorno Karabagh, and to take concrete action to hold leaders in Baku accountable for actions that directly undermine the Administration’s policy of fostering peace and stability in the South Caucasus region, reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA). The letter, initiated by Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chairmen Joe Knollenberg (R-MI) and Frank Pallone (D-NJ), cited specific recent threats by Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev and stressed that, “these fear tactics and threats of war go directly against the United States’ goal of peace and stability in the South Caucasus region. Azerbaijan has been threatening war with Armenia for years. However, these recent public comments made by high-ranking government officials prove that their rhetoric has turned into a very real and dangerous threat.” Read more. . . 2) Rep. Sherman Confronts Administration on Reduced Armenia Aid Figures Rep. Brad Sherman Sec. Condoleezza Rice (D-CA) WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Brad Sherman (D-CA) challenged Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice over the Administration’s call for a significant reduction in aid to Armenia in its FY09 budget during her appearance yesterday as a witness before the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee, reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA). “We want to thank Congressman Sherman for personally challenging Secretary Rice regarding the Administration’s proposed cuts in aid to Armenia,” said Aram Hamparian, Executive Director of the ANCA. “He is a good friend, and a forceful and effective champion for the full range of public policy issues of concern to Armenian Americans in his Congressional District and across the United States.” Read more. . . 3) SONY BMG Entertainment & ANCA to Host SCREAMERS DVD Launch Event System of A Down Lead Singer Serj Tankian; Director Carla Garapedian Headline February 19th New York Reception NEW YORK, NY – The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) has teamed with Sony BMG Entertainment in hosting an inaugural reception for the DVD release of “Screamers,” an award-winning, internationally produced documentary that details the history of modern-day genocide beginning with the Armenian Genocide in 1915, traveling through the Holocaust era, exploring what happened in Rwanda and other countries and ends with the genocide currently happening in Darfur. The February 19th invitation-only media event will feature Grammy award winning System of a Down lead singer Serj Tankian, SCREAMERS director Carla Garapedian along with a host of anti-genocide advocates committed to ending the cycle of genocide. “The ANCA is proud to be joining once again with Serj, Carla and SONY BMG Entertainment for the SCREAMERS DVD launch event in New York,” stated ANCA Eastern Region Director Karine Birazian. “Throughout its international tour, SCREAMERS has inspired human rights activists worldwide to take action against genocide. Now, with the DVD release, SCREAMERS will reach an even wider audience, serving as a powerful educational tool in the ongoing campaign to end the cycle of genocide.” Read more. . . Grassroots Capitol Campaign | March 12-14, 2008 | Washington, DC