National Public Radio (NPR)
April 24, 2009 Friday
SHOW: All Things Considered 9:00 PM EST NPR
Obama Marks Anniversary Of Armenian Slaughter
MICHELE NORRIS, host:
This is ALL THINGS CONSIDERED from NPR News. I’m Michele
Norris. President Obama today marked Armenian Remembrance Day with a
statement. It was notable not for what it contained but for what it
did not, the word genocide. Armenians as well as many historians say
that’s the best word to describe what happened to some one and a half
million Armenians killed in 1915. Turkey however, rejects the
term. Mr. Obama’s carefully worded statement was issued as Turkey and
Armenia announce they have agreed in principle to normalize
relations. NPR’s Brain Naylor reports from the White House.
BRIAN NAYLOR: The statement opens this way. Ninety four years ago one
of the great atrocities of the 20th century began. That’s the closest
the president comes to characterizing the deaths of Armenians in the
final days of the Ottoman Empire, the forerunner to modern Turkey. In
the statement, Mr. Obama goes on to say he has quote "Consistently
stated my own view of what occurred in 1915 and my view of history has
not changed."
The president’s view has included the word genocide. As a senator, he
and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, then a senator from New York,
urged then President Bush to recognize quote "the mass slaughter
of Armenians as genocide." But Mr. Obama did not use the term when
as president he addressed the Turkish Parliament earlier this month.
President BARACK OBAMA: I know there are strong views in this chamber
about the terrible events of 1915 and while there has been a good deal
of commentary about my views it’s really about how the Turkish and
Armenian people deal with the past 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.
NAYLOR: In his statement today President Obama said he strongly
supports efforts by Turkey and Armenia to normalize their relations
saying the two nations can forge a relationship that is peaceful,
productive, and prosperous. That effort has a way to go. Turkey and
Armenia have yet to begin discussing the thorniest issues that divide
them including the massacre.
Brian Naylor, NPR News, the White House.