U.S. SHOULD RECOGNIZE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE
By Michael A. Moodian
Ventura County Star, CA
/us-should-recognize-armenian-genocide/
Oct 21 2007
>From 1915 to 1917, it is estimated that nearly 1.5 million Armenians
were killed by the Ottoman Empire in one of the greatest systematic
massacres in the history of modern civilization. Today, more than
20 countries, including Russia, Canada, Greece, Italy and Poland,
formally recognize the atrocious events at the start of the 20th
century as a genocide. However, Oct. 10, the Bush administration, in
a direct insult to the people of Armenia and hundreds of thousands
Armenian-Americans, urged the House not to support a resolution
sponsored by Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., in which the United States
would officially recognize the event as a genocide, citing a potential
strain in relations with Turkey.
Could there be a greater hypocrisy? On one hand, the Bush
administration is saying that we are engaged in a war to liberate the
Iraqi people from a recent history of large-scale massacres from the
Saddam Hussein regime, yet, we will do so by disregarding historical
crimes against humanity by our key ally in the Middle East?
The American Heritage Dictionary defines "genocide" as "the systematic
and planned extermination of an entire national, racial, political, or
ethnic group." However, though President Bush acknowledges the tragedy
of the mass killings during the World War I era, he fears losing a
geographic ally in the supposed "war against terror." How keen of him.
To add to this, Oct. 11, Turkey announced that it was recalling its
U.S. ambassador, Nabi Sensoy, in response to a House committee passing
the resolution.
For Turkey, it is a move to show the mighty United States that it
means business. As history has demonstrated time and time again with
other regimes, the government of Turkey is diametrically opposed
to recognizing a dark era of history through the initiative. Today,
it is ready to stand its ground if the United States moves forward
with such a stance.
Putting opinions of the legality and justness of the expensive American
occupation of Iraq aside, whatever happened to the strength, valor,
ideals and values that made America great? Why are we bowing to the
Turkish government right now? Isn’t it time to, as the motto of a
Southern California congressional candidate states, "do what is right
and let the consequences follow"?
The bottom line is that the United States needs the help of Turkey to
continue with its occupation of Iraq. However, we are the superpower
of the world and the relationship is mutually beneficial.
What is the worst-case scenario if we were to publicly recognize
the genocide that was committed by an earlier government at another
time in history? Yes, it would cause a stir in the beginning, but,
in the long run, it would most certainly be in Turkey’s best interest
to remain a collaborator with the United States.
Perhaps what is most disheartening is that we still have more than
one year of an incapable Bush administration to continue with damage
that will take far longer than his eight years in office to repair.
Here’s hoping that the next president – Republican, Democrat or
independent – works to end the occupation of Iraq, restore America
back to the values and ideals that we should stand for, and supports
the acknowledgment one of the greatest atrocities of the 20th century.
Concurrently, part of the blame lies with the U.S. education system,
which has done a poor job of bringing justice to this event. History
classes offer a short segment, if any time at all, to the Armenian
genocide. It will take increased education to lead to a greater
recognition so that history does not repeat itself, and the proper
respect is given to 1.5 million who were killed.
– Michael A. Moodian, Ed.D., of Rancho Santa Margarita, is a professor
of organizational leadership. His first book, "Contemporary Leadership
and Intercultural Competence," will be released in 2008 by Sage
Publications.