Lab Law Weekly
April 24, 2009
ARMENIAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE OF AMERICA;
Armenian Genocide Recognition Key to Renewed U.S.-Turkey Relations
President Barack Obama’s trip to Turkey affords him an opportunity to
reset U.S.-Turkey relations based on a shared commitment to truth and
mutual respect, starting with a break from the gag-rule that Turkey
has long imposed on U.S. recognition of the Armenian Genocide – the
Ottoman Turkish Empire’s annihilation of over 1.5 million Armenians
from 1915-1923 (see also Armenian National Committee of America).
"President Obama is the right man at the right time to speak honestly
in Turkey about the Armenian Genocide," said Armenian National
Committee of America (ANCA) Executive Director Aram
Hamparian. "President Obama, in honoring his pledge to recognize the
Armenian Genocide, will show the world that America’s leadership in
condemning genocide will never again be held hostage to threats from a
foreign government."
During talks with Turkey’s President Abdullah Gul and Prime Minister
Recep Tayyip Erdogan, President Obama will discuss a range of
concerns, including Turkey’s 15-year illegal blockade of
Armenia. Recent talks between Turkey and Armenia remain tenuous, with
Erdogan, as recently as Friday, denying the Armenian Genocide and
setting the resolution of the Nagorno Karabagh conflict as a
precondition for establishing ties with Armenia. Armenian authorities
have long called for normalized relations with Turkey with no
preconditions.
As a Senator and presidential candidate, President Obama pledged
repeatedly to recognize the Armenian Genocide and promised "unstinting
resolve" to end the Darfur Genocide, stating, "America deserves a
leader who speaks truthfully about the Armenian Genocide and responds
forcefully to all genocides. I intend to be that President." View his
record on the issue at:
_Genocide.pdf
The ANCA has launched the "Fierce Urgency of Now"
() campaign urging anti-genocide activists
to ask the Obama Administration and Congress to take action to end the
Darfur Genocide and to recognize the Armenian Genocide. The effort is
inspired by President Obama’s campaign remarks: "I am running because
of what Dr. King called ‘the fierce urgency of now.’ I am running
because I do believe there’s such a thing as being too late. And that
hour is almost here."
The Armenian Genocide is commemorated worldwide April
24th. U.S. presidents traditionally issue statements on this day
honoring the victims of this crime. More than 20 countries, including
12 NATO allies, have recognized the Armenian Genocide, along with 41
U.S. states.
Keywords: Armenian National Committee of America.
This article was prepared by Lab Law Weekly editors from staff and
other reports.