On Thursday, August 24th, 2007 members of the Armenian National Committee of
Orange County met with Congressman Ed Royce at his District Offices in Fullerton, CA.  
Armenian National Committee members Ara Malazian, Chris Guldjian and Alex Der
Alexanian met with Congressman Royce to express the gratitude of Orange County’s
Armenian community for Congressman Royce’s ongoing efforts toward recognition of
the Armenian Genocide and his co-sponsoring of House Resolution 106.

Discussions centered on the issues still facing the passage of H.R. 106 in both Houses
of Congress, including the perceptions by some in Washington, D.C. that Turkey is still a
vital ally in the war against terror and the war in Iraq.  In a recent piece titled, “Turkey on
the Edge” Congressman Royce wrote about the dangers facing secularism in modern
Turkey.   In his comments, Congressman Royce observed that, “The steady rise of a
radical brand of Sunni Islam in Turkey is cause for concern.  Islamic brotherhoods, such
as the Nurcu and Fettullahci, have used loopholes in secular law to set up extensive
private educational systems…Many secularists believe that these schools are the
madrassas of Turkey and fear that they may be a Trojan horse for radical Islam”.

“As an American I feel that the decline in religious tolerance and the rise of
fundamentalist Islam in Turkey represents a true threat.  It is more important now than
ever that the United States seek out friendly and reliable allies, such as Armenia, in trying
to promote regional stability in the Caucuses,” commented ANC-OC member Ara
Malazian.

Other issues discussed included the position taken by some powerful members of the
Jewish lobby including the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), American Jewish Committee,
B’nai Brith International, and the Jewish Institute for National Security Affairs opposing
the passage of H.R. 106.  Although the ADL has finally admitted that the acts committed
by the Ottoman Empire were tantamount to Genocide, the ADL still remains opposed to
legislation formally recognizing that crime as Genocide.  “The Armenian community is no
longer battling the Turkish lobby alone on the Genocide issue in Congress, it is also
battling some of the most powerful lobbies in the United States to press for passage of
H.R. 106”, stated Ara Malazian.

The meeting closed with ideas and suggestions for strengthening Armenia’s economy
and democracy in Armenia.  With the illegal blockades of Armenia by Turkey and
Azerbaijan, an inability to trade with the United States via Iran and the civil war in Georgia,
Armenia is essentially landlocked and unable to effectively develop the import/export
aspects of the economy.

Congressman Royce welcomed the discussions about the strengthening of economic
and political ties with Armenia and offered his assistance in helping to promote the
process.  Following the meeting the ANC members met with Congressman Royce’s
District Representative, Yeghig Keshishian, to review other steps that can be taken to
help with the recognition of the Armenian Genocide and the bringing greater stability and
prosperity to Armenia.
ANC-OC Meets with Congressman Ed Royce
Armenian National Committee of Orange County
Yeghig Keshisian (District Representative),
Congressman Ed Royce, ANC-OC members
Ara Malazian, Chris Guldjian, Alex Der
Alexanian

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