Heffern Expects Change in US Position on Genocide

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Ambassador John Heffern browses the exhibit at the Armenian Genocide Muesum and Institute on Monday

\nYEREVAN—The US Ambassador to Armenia on Monday said he expected a change in the United States’ position on the Armenian Genocide, reported Tert.am\n

Speaking at a conference on the subject organized by the Armenian Genocide Museum and Institute, Heffern said that President Barack Obama and Secretary of State John Kerry are expected to make “strong” statements.

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“The president will make a statement on April 24 this year. Secretary Kerry as well. And that will be very strong,” the diplomat said, adding that the US officials are very well aware of the events and will decide for themselves what kind of statement to make.

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Heffern said that the statement will recognize that 1.5 million Armenians were massacred, adding, however, that he cannot say what word the President will use in the statement.

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The event, entitled “The Caucasian Frontline of the First World War: Genocide, Refugees and Humanitarian Assistance” was hosted at the National Academy of Sciences upon the initiative of the Armenian Genocide Museum and Institute.

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The ambassador also explained the reason for his presence at the conference. “What [the museum’s director] Hayk Demoyan and the museum do is to support and educate the people on the events. That’s why I am here,” he told reporters.

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