Adam Schiff: True reconciliation between Armenia and Turkey will occur
when Turkey acknowledges the Armenian Genocide
armradio.am
25.09.2009 13:28
Armenian Council of America (ACA) representatives met with Congressman
Adam Schiff and discussed recent developments on the Armenian Genocide
resolution, US-Armenia relations, Armenia-Turkey relations; and the
Obama administration’s policies toward Armenia and Artsakh.
The ACA delegation commended Congressman Schiff for his continued
stance and insistence on the reaffirmation of the Armenian Genocide,
democracy in Armenia, the sovereignty of Artsakh, and his apprehension
towards the Armenia-Turkey protocols.
Specifically, the Congressman reiterated his position on the protocols,
stating, `While I welcome what may be an important step in the
rapprochement between Armenia and Turkey and hope that the upcoming
talks result in a swift opening of full diplomatic and commercial
relations between Ankara and Yerevan, as well as a reopening of the
border, I have serious concerns about some provisions of the protocols
accompanying the announcement.’
`In particular, I was deeply disappointed to see that the protocols
call for the creation of an historical commission to review the events
of 1915-23. This is a thoroughly discredited idea; there is no dispute
among scholars that the Armenian people were the subject of genocide
during the waning days of the Ottoman Empire and an histor
ical commission is another effort to obfuscate the truth,’
`Turkey cannot be allowed to re-write this tragic part of its history
as a price for normal relations with Armenia. To do so means
acquiescence in a charade that demeans the memory of so many victims.
`True reconciliation between the Armenian and Turkish peoples will
occur when Turkey acknowledges the genocide that was committed by the
Ottoman Empire against Armenians from 1915 – 1923. The Armenian
Genocide, the first genocide of the 20th Century, resulted in the
deaths of 1.5 million Armenian men, women and children and the sorrow
that the Armenian people carry in their hearts cannot be healed by
diplomatic relations alone,’ he added.
The Congressman also expressed congratulations to the people of Armenia
on the eighteenth anniversary of Armenia’s independence and continued
his commitment to ensuring that the United States government does all
that it can to help Armenia build governmental institutions and civil
society with the goal of helping democracy flourish.
The ACA delegation updated the Congressman in their continued efforts
helping the Congressman in strengthening; US-Armenia relations,
democracy in Armenia, the development of Artsakh and advocacy for a
just and truthful representation of the Armenian Genocide. The
delegation presented the Congressman with a copy of `The Morgenthau
Story’ DVD which they have been distributing to members of the U.S.
House of Representatives and the Senate. The Congressman thanked the
ACA for their efforts and diligence.