Statement by the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) Central Committee of the Eastern United States
We strongly condemn Tuesday’s unprovoked attack by members of Turkish President Erdogan’s security detail upon peaceful demonstrators in Washington, D.C.
Erdogan’s bodyguards were involved in two other attacks on U.S. soil in 2016: during a speaking engagement at the Brookings Institute in April and at the funeral of Muhammad Ali in June. Such actions may be the norm under Erdogan’s repressive regime, but they must not be tolerated in the U.S.
These attacks also expose the failure of America’s policy of appeasement toward Turkey. By facilitating Armenian Genocide denial, by remaining silent regarding Turkey’s illegal blockade of Armenia, by disregarding its support for ISIS and al Qaida, by overlooking Turkey’s suppression of its religious and national minorities and its widening repression against its citizens-at-large, the U.S. has only emboldened the Erdogan regime to become more aggressive, both inside and outside of Turkey.
By coddling dictators such as Erdogan and allowing Turkey to export its “democratic” values by silencing its opposition through threats and violence, the U.S. administration displays weakness, encourages further incidents, and puts American citizens at risk.
We call on the U.S. government to quickly and thoroughly investigate this incident, report its findings to the public and take the necessary steps to prevent such actions from occurring again, including bringing an end to America’s failed policy of appeasement of Turkey.
Armenian Revolutionary Federation
Eastern U.S. Central Committee
The Turkish Embassy should pay all the medical expenses in humiliation.
Why? Why does the ARF release statements about a bunch of Turks getting into a fight in Washington, D.C. What does this have anything to do with us?
And a very related question – the ARF is currently in a coalition government with a political party in Armenia that is responsible for many deaths, including that of the bread supplier, recently. The current Armenian government is suppressing political opposition, keeping opposition activists locked up, and basically doing its best to destroy any germ of democracy in Armenia. But the ARF does not issue statements about all of that. It issues statements about a brawl between Turks of different political persuasions in Washington, D.C. And then we wonder why Armenia is regressing so much.
Do not try to divert attention away from the fact that a group of thuggish turks attacked a group of US residents exercising their Constitutional right to peacefully assemble. This was not a brawl. A brawl is when both sides have an equal chance of winning an altercation. The peaceful demonstrators had no chance against the trained assassins of the turkish regieme. This was an assault. And the fact that Armenia’s illegitimate regieme has its own responsibilities has nothing to do with the current cituation.
The goonish Turk ambassador should be expelled and the rest arrested & prosecuted.
Kurd, Greeks, and Armenians need to sign a joint letter to the Congress, State Dept., AG, and Trump demanding action.
Sadgdg, were you aware that those beaten included Armenian protesters? That is why the ARF issues a statement.
This type of statements should be addressed to U.S. Government’s different branches, security official agencies, and others. Just Issuing such statements are not enough. We as individuals complained to our U.S.Senators, U.S.Congressmen and the same to State Representatives. How come an organization such as the ARF is satisfied only by issuing a statement. In case you issued the same statement to others, we would like to know and raise our voice respectively. We, as U.S. Citizens would like to enjoy our voting privileges. These type of opportunities should never be missed. Thank you on behalf of our entire family members and highly appreciate your much valued services to the Armenian-American Communities in the U.S. and Canada and the four corners of the world.
Maybe after a joint efforts by the Armenians, Greeks and the Kurds, we may see that the U.S. government may take a different stand regarding the provocative actions even on U.S. soil.
Evidence of standard Turkish character is very well depicted in the movie recently run all over the world, “THE PROMISE”.
After all Turks will always be Turks.
Is Erdogan responsible for the attacks? He certainly is. He and his blood-thirsty goons should be prosecuted, serve jail time and be returned to their violent and hateful country. Does the US need Turkey? Only on Thanksgiving.
Were the attacks moderated?
Carole, what do you mean? All I have read is that the attackers were Erdogan’s private guards who attacked some Armenian protesters. Very poor form in someone else’s country.