Armenian National Committee of Eastern Massachusetts
47 Nichols Avenue
Watertown, MA 02472
ancem@Hotmail.com


PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
August 14, 2007
Contact: Sevag Arzoumanian
Tel: 617-233-3174

BREAKING NEWS: WATERTOWN VOTES TO SEVER TIES WITH
ANTI-DEFAMATION LEAGUE CITING ARMENIAN GENOCIDE DENIAL

COMPLETE COVERAGE WILL BE SENT SHORTLY

WATERTOWN, MA - The Watertown, Massachusetts Town Council voted unanimously
this evening to cut ties with the Anti-Defamation League, citing concerns
about ADL National Director Abraham Foxman's denial of the Armenian Genocide
and opposition to Congressional legislation reaffirming that crime against
humanity, reported the Armenian National Committee of Eastern Massachusetts
(ANCEM).

"The ANCEM applauds the Town Council for stating clearly and unequivocally
that there is no place for Armenian Genocide denial in Watertown," stated
ANCEM chairperson Sharistan Melkonian "We hope that this action will prompt
the ADL and its National Chairman Abe Foxman to rethink their flawed
policies on this issue, recognize the Armenian Genocide and end their
efforts to stop its reaffirmation by Congress."

The proclamation, introduced by Watertown Councillor-At-Large Marilyn
Petitto Devaney, stated: "The Town Council has become aware that the ADL,
denies the facts of the horrific Armenian Genocide, that occurred from 1915
to 1923, in which the premeditated, systematic and deliberate murders of
more that one and one half million Armenians from 1915 to 1923 took place,
as well as continuing to deprive the Armenian people of a right to their
history - The Town Council can not continue to join with such an
organization."

The proclamation went on to reaffirm Watertown's commitment to "celebrate
its diversity and continue to honor its tradition of tolerance and respect
for all people for which it has always been known."

Watertown residents spoke poignantly before the capacity crowd in attendance
to express their concerns about local affiliation with the ADL's genocide
denial policies, moving Town Council members to take decisive action and
encourage other Massachusetts towns to follow in their footsteps.

In her remarks before the Town Council, ANCEM representative Grace Kulegian
stated that "We are confident that the just resolution of this matter will
deepen Watertown's commitment to tolerance, strengthen No Place for Hate's
ability to speak with real moral clarity, and - for the sake of its members
and its own future as an organization - end the ADL's truly unfortunate
affiliation with genocide denial."

Complete coverage of the Watertown Town Council decision will be provided
shortly.

The Watertown - ADL controversy erupted in recent weeks, with Boston area
civil rights advocates, and local Armenian and Jewish American community
members expressing disappointment and outrage at recent statements by ADL
National Director Abe Foxman denying the Armenian Genocide. Editorials and
community letters in the local Watertown Tab and Boston Globe cast a shadow
on the credibility of the anti-racism program, No Place for Hate, due to its
affiliation with the ADL.