President Barack Obama responds to community concerns with respect to Turkey

armradio.am
05.12.2009 12:24

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 the 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.