ANCA Glendale Issues Statement on Sinanyan’s Explanation

GLENDALE—The Armenian National Committee of America-Glendale, having learned of Glendale City Councilman Zareh Sinanyan’s explanation about his online comments which came to light during the recent campaign, is gratified to see that he has set the record straight and is prepared to move forward in forging constructive and positive relationships with all ethnic and religious segments of his constituency.

For its part, the ANCA-Glendale unequivocally and categorically denounces the sentiments expressed in those online statements. Such sentiments are diametrically opposed to all that the ANCA stands for and believes. Our ideology is based on principles of justice, equality, fairness, and human compassion, and while our mission is to seek a just resolution to all aspects of the Armenian Cause from the Turkish and Azeri Governments responsible for the senseless slaughter of countless Armenians in yet unpunished Genocide and more recent massacres, it is not in any way grounded in sentiments against any ethnic or religious individuals or groups.

Those who condemned what we now know to have been Zareh Sinanyan’s online comments both during the campaign and after the election should equally condemn the anti-Armenian rhetoric that has pervaded the public discourse. Such rhetoric is unfortunately often fueled by Genocide deniers and those who want to stand in the way of a just resolution to the Armenian Cause. The ANCA-Glendale will continue to seek justice on behalf of all victims of crimes against humanity.

We call on all parties to move ahead toward mutual understanding and cooperation, and we have faith that Councilman Sinanyan will continue in his newly-elected post to exhibit the fair-mindedness that we have always seen from him.

Berdj Karapetian
ANCA Glendale Chairman