WASHINGTON—Despite repeated statements properly characterizing the Armenian Genocide during his Senate career and a clear pledge stating that “As President, I will recognize the Armenian Genocide,” President Barack Obama today issued an April 24 statement evading the proper characterization of the Armenian Genocide.
ANCA chairman Ken Hachikian issued the following statement regarding President Obama’s April 24th statement:
“I join with all Armenian Americans in voicing our sharp disappointment with President Obama’s failure to honor his solemn pledge to recognize the Armenian Genocide.
“In falling short of his repeated and crystal clear promises, which reflected a thorough knowledge of the facts, the practical implications, and the profound moral dimension of Armenian Genocide recognition, the president chose, as a matter of policy, to allow our nation’s stand against genocide to remain a hostage to Turkey’s threats.
“The president’s statement today represents a retreat from his pledge and a setback to the vital change he promised to bring about in how America confronts the crime of genocide.
“Genocide must be confronted unconditionally at the level of American values and our common humanity. As Americans, we should never allow the prevention or recognition of this crime to be reduced to a political issue that can be traded away, retreated from under pressure, or used to advance a political agenda, of any kind.
“We urge the president to act quickly to correct his administration’s stand on the Armenian Genocide by properly condemning and commemorating this crime, removing Turkey’s gag-rule on its recognition by the United States, and working publicly toward the adoption of the Armenian Genocide Resolution before Congress,” concluded Hachikian.
As a Senator and presidential candidate, Obama pledged repeatedly to recognize the Armenian Genocide and promised “unstinting resolve” to end the Darfur Genocide, stating, “America deserves a leader who speaks truthfully about the Armenian Genocide and responds forcefully to all genocides. I intend to be that President.” View his record on the issue at http://www.anca.org/change/docs/Obama_Armenian_Genocide.pdf.
i am from ethiopia as ethiopian we have connection with aremenia long long orthodox relation as an ethiopian to say about the genocide of orthodox armenian must be recogenize by whole world obama should recognize that and the turky government should pay the penality . i know the truth comes out soon . GOD bless Armenian and Ethiopia .
Obama showed his cowardice merely 24 hours after he made the following statements.
“Obama: Holocaust’s lesson is not to be silent
April 23, 2009
WASHINGTON (JTA) — The lesson of the Holocaust is never to be silent in the face of inhumanity, President Obama said.
“How do we ensure that ‘Never Again’ isn’t an empty slogan, or merely an aspiration, but also a call to action?” the president asked while speaking Thursday in the Capitol Rotunda at a commemoration organized by the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum. “I believe we start by doing what we are doing today — by bearing witness, by fighting the silence that is evil’s greatest co-conspirator.”
….
“The hope of a chosen people who have overcome oppression since the days of Exodus; of the nation of Israel rising from the destruction of the Holocaust; of the strong and enduring bonds between our nations,” Obama said.”
http://jta.org/news/article/2009/04/23/1004610/obama-holocausts-lesson-is-not-to-stand-by
I feel President Obama is compelled to think first and foremost of the national security of our nation and not focus on pleasing a minority of individuals or recognize a period of history for the sake of pleasing the outspoken. Heck, every year the Armenian expats, around the world, attempt to convince nations that truly have no interest in their plight about an alleged genocide. Let’s think about the present and ask what if anything the expats have done to improve the conditions and status of Armenia itself…probably as much as the average African American’s efforts to improve Africa. It is what it is, Turkey will never condone the acts as genocide nor will the United States so get over it!
Is this the politician Jim Keller? Please write back — and hold the vitriol.
Mr keller, you are a selfish person , I wish your family would have gonr through what the Armenian people have gonr through and that is when you would talk about “National Security” You are cowered, and do not have self respect as you do whatever the turkish governement tells you to do , shame on you .
First and foremost, Obama is President of the USA, his highest priority is our national interest.
It seems to me that using the phrase “meds yeghern” twice in his address seemed a smart way to underscore his position without adversely impacting USA-Turkey relationship and not scuttling the nascent dialogue between Armenia and Turkey. The President’s use of this Armenian term has not been missed by Turkey or the Turkish Press.
There seems to be a lot less concern about President Obama’s statement in Armenia than among those living comfortably elsewhere. Armenia seems to have a more pragmatic mindset that is focussed on the welfare of Armenians living today. Similar to President Obama, Armenian’s national leaders should be acting to strengthen the security and economy of their country. Their dialogue with Turkey is one step in the right direction.
Jim Keller, excellent comment. Garabedian, you are right too.
Donkioan. you are the one who is selfish. Go read Jim Keller and Garabedian.
Ahmet — I think on this day, the International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of the Armenian Genocide, Turks must shut up. You are noone to judge what opinions other commentators share here. Go read international genocide scholars’ publications on barbarism, cruelty, and total disrespect for human life that your nation is known for. And continue day dreaming together with Jim Killer, or wharever abusive name has been given him. It won’t affect the process of intenrational recognition of the Armenian Genocide regardsless whether Obama uttered the ‘G’ word or not. If the American president recognizes the Holocaust of teh Jews as a humanitarin tragedy, he must also recognize the Genocide of the Armenians perpatrated by soulless, heartless, nomadic barabrians called Turks. GFY.
Armenia has a very important geopolitical position for Russia especially after the war with Georgia Armenia cooperating with Russia is a great power which the US don’t like. America has a huge armenian cummunity and each presinend uses tha fact of the armenian genocide to gain voters it’s time aremnians understood this fact and started to act the same way – do not give voices after 2 years Obama again is going to need you on his side so give him a back answer
Raffi Manoukian’s Advertisement Page in the New York Times
Newspaper, On Remembrance Date (April 24, 2010)
Our sincere congratulation for benefactor Raffi Manoukian
For advertising in The New York Times on page 3*—
The photo of P. Obama, showing rather his fearful escaping face
with an attached photo on the back of his neck
‘slayed Armenian children by Ottoman’s Government’,
And his personal phrases on the Armenian Genocide
Said with full confidence, hence to reveal his knowledge.
“Armenian Genocide is not an allegation…, and
as a president I will recognize the Armenian Genocide”**
That was two-years before His Inauguration Day.
P. Obama in the interim, developed ‘Political Alzheimer’
Needs treatment to recover, needs kind clever creative
Armenian physician to care for his mind’s well-being.
As a mother, I am utterly sure
If Barak’s mother, Stanley-Ann was alive,
She would force him to recognize our agonized graved roots —
As she bravely cared and loved every race.
She was beautiful, kind, clever
She broke all the white rules
To marry Black Man not from her race,
That was unacceptable before five decades.
Once again we’re confident…that
Human Barak is able to break gaggers hubris attitudes.
We’re still waiting passionless that blue-pearly date.
____________________________________
* On the top right corner of the same page 3, of The New York Times, observed the photos of the three British candidates(David Cameron, Gordon Brown, Nick Clegg) debating to be elected on 6th May 2010.
I wander if they will see Armenian genocide Photo in the lower left of the newspaper. Every human race should know that British MPs have covered their eyes by their cunning eyelids to unrecognize the Armenian Genocide.
“I can’t add more but shame on all,
Each chants to become hubris minister uncaring for lost Armenian
brains crushed, the rest deprived from their mothers’, the Anatolian lands”
**“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, the facts are undeniable.As a senator, I strongly support passage of Armenian Genocide Resolution(H. RES.106 and S.RES.106), and as a president I will recognize the Armenian Genocide (January 19, 2008).