So, what exactly are the rules governing the U.S. government’s gag rule prohibiting mention of the Armenian Genocide?
What precisely are the details and dictates of our own American version of Turkey’s Article 301?
President Obama, as a Senator, called President Bush’s refusal to recognize the Armenian Genocide “inexcusable,” and sharply criticized Secretary of State Rice for recalling Ambassador John Evans from Yerevan for speaking honestly about this genocidal atrocity. Yet President Obama today presides over a government that, by all accounts, would fire any of its diplomats who told the truth about this crime, by for example reading aloud the President’s own campaign statements promising to recognize the Armenian Genocide.
Consider the rich and profoundly painful irony: President Obama came into office on a bold pledge of truth-telling, but once in the White House—having pocketed the votes of the Armenian American community in a series of tightly contested primary races—turned his back on his promise, effectively threatening to fire any diplomat or other government employee who actually lived up to his own campaign commitment.
Adding to the dramatic disconnect between this and past Administrations’ words and actions on the Armenian Genocide is the new revelation (via Wikileaks) that, despite all the hollow rhetoric about U.S. leaders pressing Turkey to genuinely accept the truth of its own history, behind closed doors, State Department officials are secretly sharing ideas with the Turkish government about how to most effectively prevent the elected representatives of the American people from speaking openly and honestly about this human rights issue. A recently released cable reveals that Matt Bryza—who was then the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State, and has since been given a recess appointment as Ambassador to Azerbaijan—met with senior Turkish government official in March of 2007 and discussed the defeat of the Armenian Genocide Resolution. Click here for the link to a story on this morally shocking, but—sadly—not very surprising revelation:
Which brings us back to the question: What exactly are the rules?
Who can get fired for mentioning the Armenian Genocide? An Ambassador, a lower level State Department employee, a top White House political or policy aide, or a simple entry-level administrative clerk? What about a contract employee?
What about an Armenian national who works for the U.S. Embassy in Yerevan? Would he or she be obliged to refrain from a truthful accounting of their own history?
Would a public reading by human rights advocate Samantha Power, who now works for the National Security Council, of her Pulitzer Prize-winning book, A Problem from Hell, be a firing offense?
Would it be cause for termination for an Administration official to acknowledge that the Armenian Genocide is a fact, during a private meeting with Armenian Americans (as dozens have done in meetings I’ve attended)?
What about officials writing honestly about the Armenian Genocide in internal government memos and cables? What happens if Wikileaks makes them public?
Would a Facebook or Twitter post of the term “Armenian Genocide” get an Administration official fired? What if it’s on their own time? What if they don’t work for the Department of State, but the Department of Agriculture?
The questions go on and on, getting more and more ridiculous, all pointing to the inevitable conclusion that—for our self-respect as Americans, as much as for anybody else—we must, at long last, reject Turkey’s shameful veto on U.S. recognition of the Armenian Genocide.
Aram Hamparian
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Vay, vay, vay!
This is why I trust no US politican on the recognition of the Armenian Genocide unless they are themselves Armenian. This is also one reason among others that I am an Independent. Politicans say anything to get elected then turn their back on you once in office. We Armenians need to not only get a pledge from politicans before the election to support recognition of the Armenian Genocide but also put them on severe notice that we will roast them if they lie to us.
A big thank you to Aram Hamparian for turning over a huge rock. It all needed to be said. It is the absolute and literal truth.
Armenians are
a joke, they do not take themselves seriously, and they are offended when
others do the same.
Recognition, Respect, Restitution come from inner strength, not from the moral
generosity of others.
Inchpes Jaretents er asoom
Ov Hay jogovoord, ko miak prkootoond ko havakakan OOJI MEJ E.
Thank you again Aram for your article and pointing out that the American government unfortunately are not siding with the truth about the AG but against it, unfortunately same as the Turkish denyalist government.
Instead of investing so much effort, time and money into the US government’s acceptance of the Armenian Genocide, I suugest that all that money and effort would be given to support Armenia and Artsakh and work toward Artsakh’s recognition by the world powers.
Yes Sventlana,
Obama promote himself to win next US presidential election, by eliminating US enemy Osama Bin laden!!US Armenians have to wait for another 4 years. This will be a Turkish wedding dance in Ankara, and for “Robert the turk”!!
It is very sad and disappointing that every Presidential candidate,before being elected during the campaign promises that he will recognize the Genocide. Once elected, due to known and unknown reasons and influences they change their mind. They never keep their promise or pledge.
The last one to do so was Obama. He is a liar and an oppotunitist. What the Armenian community has erred in, is that over the years we have recast out votes for the President in the second term elections. Thus, no message was given in response to their flagrant violation of our trust and confidence in them.
I urge and beg that every sinlge armenian, regardless of their political affiliation, in the next election to not- repeat not- vote for Obama. We have to give a very strong message to him, and future candidates, that they cannot take the armenian vote for granted by making empty and unkept promises.
I am confident that in certain states like California, Massachusetts ( two key states) we can have an influence on the vote count, and swing the electoral votes.
It is time that we show we are serious.
Vart Adjemian
Vart,
As of late, the only president that mentioned the Armenian Genocide was President Raegan, may God bless him. Yes, all the others betrayed us. I sure hope that no Armenian will vote Obama again.