PRESS RELEASE
Armenian Assembly
April 24, 2010
Contact: Press Department
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (202) 393-3434
PRESIDENT OBAMA COMMEMORATES ARMENIAN GENOCIDE ANNIVERSARY
-Calls for Advancement in Turkish Reconciliation to the Facts-
Washington, DC – In his April 24, 2010 statement just issued,
President Barack Obama commemorated the victims of the Armenian
Genocide, reiterated that his view on the Armenian Genocide has not
changed, expanded on his 2009 statement, and again used the Armenian
term for the Armenian Genocide Meds Yeghern, reported the Armenian
Assembly of America (Assembly).
( c/pdf_1/2009_Q1/Roll_Call_Ad.pdf)
April 24 of each year marks the date when the Ottoman Turkish Empire
began the elimination of Christian Armenians in the first genocide of
the 20th century. In today’s statement, President Obama said `I have
consistently stated my own view of what occurred in 1915, and my view
of that history has not changed. It is in all of our interest to see
the achievement a full, frank and just acknowledgment of the facts.
The Meds Yeghern is a devastating chapter in the history of the
Armenian people, and we must keep its memory alive in honor of those
who were murdered and so that we do not repeat the grave mistakes of
the past.’ The full statement is reproduced below.
This statement was issued in the environment of an increasingly
widespread well-funded denial campaign by the Turkish government,
Prime Minister Erdogan’s threat to deport Armenians living in Turkey,
and the suspension of signed agreements to normalize Turkish-Armenian
relations because of Turkey’s non-compliance with the Swiss brokered
deal heavily supported by the United States, Russia, France and the
European Union.
Earlier this month, the Armenian General Benevolent Union, the Diocese
of the Armenian Church (Eastern), the Diocese of the Armenian Church
(Western) and the Assembly in a joint statement urged President Obama
to use the English term rather than employ the Armenian term for the
Armenian Genocide in his April 24 statement. President Obama’s
reaffirmation of the Armenian Genocide, the joint statement also said
can only help to heal the wounds of denial, and bring Turkey one step
closer toward true reconciliation. In March, the House Foreign
Affairs Committee under Chairman Howard Berman’s (D-CA) leadership
passed the Armenian Genocide Resolution, which sets the stage for
passage by the full House. ()
`We have long stated that U.S. affirmation of the Armenian Genocide
should not be held hostage to Armenia-Turkey relations. In 1981,
President Reagan clearly reaffirmed the U.S. position when in his
April 22 Proclamation, he used the English term–Armenian Genocide,’
stated the Assembly’s Executive Director Bryan Ardouny. `Unequivocal
affirmation of the Armenian Genocide will also further the cause of
genocide prevention worldwide and be more faithful to American
principles,’ Ardouny continued.
Other Presidents have used dictionary definitions of genocide or
incorporated the term Armenian Genocide by reference, but have yielded
to Turkish threats and refrained from being as explicit as President
Reagan.
President George W. Bush, for example, described the Armenian Genocide
as `forced exile, murder, and annihilation,’ and incorporated the term
Armenian Genocide by reference, while President Bill Clinton used `the
senseless deportations’ and `massacres.’ President George H. W. Bush
talked about the U.S. response for the victims `of the crime against
humanity’ and President Jimmy Carter said `there was a concerted
effort made to eliminate all the Armenian people, probably one of the
greatest tragedies that ever befell any group’
( ategory.4/affirmation_list.html).
The Obama statement also included the following: `The indomitable
spirit of the Armenian people is a lasting triumph over those who set
out to destroy them," which is yet another way of covering the intent
element of the crime by indicting the architects of the Genocide who
`set out to destroy’ an entire race.
In January 2008, then-Senator Obama stated: "As President I will
recognize the Armenian Genocide." In October 2008, President Obama
reiterated his views, "I believe that the Armenian Genocide is not an
allegation, a personal opinion, or a point of view, but rather a
widely documented fact supported by an overwhelming body of historical
evidence." President Obama not only incorporated those statements,
but again used the Armenian term `Meds Yeghern,’ over the objections
of Turkish officials. Earlier this week, one of Turkey’s leading
Genocide deniers, Member of Parliament and former Ambassador to
Washington wrote an open letter critical of a prior statement by
President Obama, stating `Although your statement omitted the highly
charged word `genocide,’ you twice employed the expression `metz
yeghern’ (Meds Yeghern), which is the exact translation of `genocide’
in the Armenian language.’
( 57/-opinion-an-open-letter-to-u-s-president-barack -obama.html).
The President’s reference to Turks who saved Armenians and to those
Turks who want their country to reconcile was also significant: `I
salute the Turks who saved Armenians in 1915 and am encouraged by the
dialogue among Turks and Armenians, and within Turkey itself,
regarding this painful history. Together, the Turkish and Armenian
people will be stronger as they acknowledge their common history and
recognize their common humanity.’
Established in 1972, the Armenian Assembly of America is the largest
Washington-based nationwide organization promoting public
understanding and awareness of Armenian issues. The Assembly is a
501(c) (3) tax-exempt membership organization.
###
Editors Note: Obama’s April 24th Statement Below
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
_______________________________________ _____________________________
For Immediate Release
April 24, 2010
Statement of President Barack Obama on Armenian Remembrance Day
On this solemn day of remembrance, we pause to recall that ninety-five
years ago one of the worst atrocities of the 20th century began. In
that dark moment of history, 1.5 million Armenians were massacred or
marched to their death in the final days of the Ottoman Empire.
Today is a day to reflect upon and draw lessons from these terrible
events. I have consistently stated my own view of what occurred in
1915, and my view of that history has not changed. It is in all of our
interest to see the achievement a full, frank and just acknowledgment of
the facts. The Meds Yeghern is a devastating chapter in the history of
the Armenian people, and we must keep its memory alive in honor of those
who were murdered and so that we do not repeat the grave mistakes of the
past. I salute the Turks who saved Armenians in 1915 and am encouraged
by the dialogue among Turks and Armenians, and within Turkey itself,
regarding this painful history. Together, the Turkish and Armenian
people will be stronger as they acknowledge their common history and
recognize their common humanity.
Even as we confront the inhumanity of 1915, we also are inspired by the
remarkable spirit of the Armenian people. While nothing can bring back
those who were killed in the Meds Yeghern, the contributions that
Armenians have made around the world over the last ninety-five years
stand as a testament to the strength, tenacity and courage of the
Armenian people. The indomitable spirit of the Armenian people is a
lasting triumph over those who set out to destroy them. Many Armenians
came to the United States as survivors of the horrors of 1915. Over the
generations Americans of Armenian descent have richened our communities,
spurred our economy, and strengthened our democracy. The strong
traditions and culture of Armenians also became the foundation of a new
republic which has become a part of the community of nations, partnering
with the world community to build a better future.
Today, we pause with them and with Armenians everywhere to remember the
awful events of 1915 with deep admiration for their contributions which
transcend this dark past and give us hope for the future.