TURKISH HISTORY LESSON
The Boston Herald
April 7, 2009 Tuesday
ALL EDITIONS
During the 2008 presidential campaign, candidate Barack Obama said,
"The Armenian genocide is not an allegation," but rather "a widely
documented fact supported by an overwhelming body of historical
evidence."
Yesterday as President Obama stood before the Turkish parliament –
which largely sat in stony silence – he said, "Human endeavor is by
its nature imperfect. History is often tragic, but unresolved, it
can be a heavy weight. Each country must work through its past. And
reckoning with the past can help us seize a better future.
"I know there’s strong views in this chamber about the terrible
events of 1915 . . . And the best way forward for the Turkish and
Armenian people is a process that works through the past in a way
that is honest, open and constructive."
The word "genocide" did not cross his lips during his visit to Turkey
even as he called for an "honest, open" exploration of the past. Points
at least for raising the issue; points off for burying the "g-word."