“Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, in response earlier today to a series of questions during her testimony before Congress, broke with the Department of State’s long-standing pattern of aggressively opposing legislation recognizing the Armenian Genocide,” reports Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).

According to ANCA, Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chair Mark Kirk noted Secretary Clinton’s previous support for Armenian Genocide legislation in the Senate. Speaking about Genocide resolution vote scheduled for March 4, 2010, Kirk said, “I hope we do that; and I hope the House of Representatives does that, and I hope you let that happen.”

ANCA website also quotes Congressman Adam Schiff as saying, “I don't think the prospect of reconciliation, as much as I would like it to happen, should be used as a reason not to recognize the undeniable fact of the Armenian Genocide.”

“Secretary Clinton’s remarks represent the third time in just the past few weeks that a senior Obama Administration official – in response to pointed questions about the Armenian Genocide Resolution — has chosen not to voice any opposition to the adoption of this genocide-prevention measure,” said ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian, commenting on Clinton’s position.