America’s leading genocide prevention groups this week called upon Coca-Cola and Citigroup to suspend their participation in a conference hosted by an organization waging a public campaign that supports the Turkish government’s denial of the Armenian Genocide.

In letters sent to the boards of directors, a number of organizations, including the Armenian National Committee of America, called upon these two corporations to sever any ties with organizations, such as the Assembly of Turkish American Associations, Asbarez reported.

Both firms are scheduled to be represented at the ATAA’s convention, being held in Washington, DC starting on April 25, the day after the worldwide commemoration of the Armenian Genocide. 

Speaking on behalf of Coca-Cola will be its Chairman, Muhtar Kent; representing Citigroup will be its Senior Vice President for International Government Affairs, Charles R. Johnston.  The signatories of the letter asked both corporations to withdraw their speakers from the conference, and, failing that, to publicly clarify that any participation by the officials is in a personal capacity.