PRESSRELEASE
December 4, 2009

Issued Jointly by:
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (East and West)
Armenian General Benevolent Union
Armenian Assembly of America

PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA RESPONDS TO COMMUNITY CONCERNS WITH RESPECT TO TURKEY

Incorporates by Reference Acknowledgment of the Armenian Genocide

Washington, DC – U.S. President Barack Obama responded to a joint letter
sent by major Armenian-American institutions, which outlined several
concerns with respect to "Turkey’s failures to uphold its international
obligations." The joint letter called on the Administration to "hold
the Turkish government accountable" with respect to Turkey’s public
commitments to establish normal relations without preconditions and lift
its blockade of Armenia.

In addition, the letter also emphasized that "true reconciliation will
occur only when Turkey comes to terms with its past" and urged President
Obama to affirm the Armenian Genocide. Moreover, the letter conveyed
the concerns shared by the Diaspora across the globe that "if this
normalization process is used as a smokescreen for not reaffirming the
Armenian Genocide and the U.S. record, it will be a blow to the
rapprochement process and the expectations of people of goodwill
everywhere."

Responding to the joint letter, President Obama reiterated America’s
position that "normalization between Armenia and Turkey should move
forward without preconditions and within a reasonable timeframe." This
position also reflects that of the governments of Switzerland, France,
Russia as well as the European Union.

In addition, President Obama also incorporated by reference the fact of
the Armenian Genocide stating that "my view of that history has not
changed. My interest remains the achievement of a full, frank, and just
acknowledgement of the facts." The President’s reference to his
historical view was used during his trip to Turkey earlier this year as
well as in his April 24, 2009 statement and includes multiple usages of
the term Armenian Genocide. Also, the Swiss, French, Russian, and
European parliaments have all affirmed the Armenian Genocide.

The Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (East and West), Armenian
General Benevolent Union, and Armenian Assembly of America welcome
President Obama’s strong commitment and interest in helping the people
of Armenia. We also stand united in our position that U.S.
reaffirmation of the Armenian Genocide should not be held hostage to
normalization of relations.

President Obama’s upcoming meeting with Turkey’s Prime Minister Recep
Tayyip Erdogan scheduled for December 7th in Washington, DC represents
an important opportunity to hold the Turkish government accountable with
respect to its international obligations to lift its blockade of Armenia
and normalize relations without preconditions, as well as come to terms
with its genocidal past.

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Editor’s Note: Text of President Barack Obama’s letter attached

Thank you for your letter in support of the normalization of relations
between Armenia and Turkey. I believe this historic process has
important benefits for the future of both countries.

I agree that normalization between Armenia and Turkey should move
forward without preconditions and within a reasonable timeframe. On
October 10, Secretary Clinton represented the United States at the
historic signing of the protocols providing a framework for
normalization. We continue to support Armenia and Turkey as they move
ahead to fulfill the promise of normalization.

Regarding the past, I deeply appreciate your views on what is one of the
great atrocities of the 20th century. As I said in my Remembrance Day
message, my view of that history has not changed. My interest remains
the achievement of a full, frank, and just acknowledgement of the facts.
I believe that the best way to advance that goal is for the Armenian and
Turkish people to address the facts of the past as part of their efforts
to move forward. We will continue to vigorously support the
normalization effort in the months ahead.

Sincerely,

Barack Obama