WASHINGTON– As Turkey’s Prime Minister Recep Erdogan continues his official U.S. state visit, a bipartisan group of U.S. Representatives introduced the Armenian Genocide Truth and Justice Act, a new measure calling upon the President to build upon the U.S. record of having recognized the Armenian Genocide by working toward improved Armenian-Turkish relations based upon the Republic of Turkey’s full acknowledgement of the facts and ongoing consequences of the Armenian Genocide, and a fair, just, and comprehensive international resolution of this crime, reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).
“We welcome today’s introduction of the Armenian Genocide Truth and Justice Act,” said Aram Hamparian, Executive Director of the ANCA. “This innovative bipartisan initiative, building upon the U.S. record of having recognized the Armenian Genocide, calls for a new U.S. approach to Armenian-Turkish ties that reflects our America values and recognizes that our national interests require an end to Turkey’s denials and a truthful, just, and comprehensive international resolution of this crime.”
The Armenian Genocide Truth and Justice Act, introduced by Representatives Michael Grimm (R-NY), Adam Schiff (D-CA), David Valadao (R-CA) and Frank Pallone (D-NJ), reflects and reinforces previous U.S. affirmation of the Armenian Genocide as a crime of genocide, citing the U.S. Government’s May 28, 1951 written statement to the International Court of Justice regarding the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, President Ronald Reagan’s April 22, 1981 Proclamation and Congressional adoption of Armenian Genocide legislation in 1975 and 1984.
“Almost a century ago, over a million Armenian men, women, and innocent children were mercilessly put to death by forces of the Ottoman Empire in a horrifying attempt to wipe them from the face of the earth,” said Rep. Grimm. “The U.S. has tirelessly defended justice and human rights throughout the world, and we have a solemn duty to recognize, once and for all, the injustices of the Armenian Genocide. On behalf of the Armenian community in New York City, I am proud to join with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle in introducing Armenian Genocide Truth and Justice Act.”
“The facts of history are well-settled – 1.5 million Armenian men, women and children were deliberately murdered in the first genocide of the 20th Century,” Rep. Schiff said. “With each passing day, we lose a few more of the dwindling number of survivors. We should all feel a powerful sense of urgency, and the profound call of moral duty to recognize the Armenian Genocide unequivocally and without delay.”
Congressman Valadao stated, “Many of those able to flee during the genocide immigrated to the United States and settled in California. Today, their families continue to grow, thrive, and instill their cultural heritage in their adopted communities. However, the sense of loss as a result of these horrific acts runs deep as many Armenian-Americans in my district personally know a friend or family member who was unable to escape the genocide. We must ensure that the United States government properly acknowledges what so many already know to be true.”
“The time for the U.S. to officially recognize the Armenian Genocide is long overdue,” said Congressman Frank Pallone, Co-Chair of the Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues. “Armenia stands as a resilient ally of the United States and a nation dedicated to democracy and regional stability, and the Resolution introduced today shows that we will not stand idly by when the truth of this genocide is distorted by the Turkish government.”
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So.. couple of problems..
1. “… and recognizes that our national interests require an end to Turkey’s denials…”
I think US national interests are the principle reason for the US not acting in the face of Turkish denial.
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” The U.S. has tirelessly defended justice and human rights throughout the world..”
Is that why the US supported genocidal leaders in Guatemala and Indonesia during the Cold War? because of our tireless defense of justice and human rights? Is that why Clinton did nothing in Rwanda and Bosnia? Cause he was a man of justice and human rights? Was the US’ tireless defense of justice and human rights the reason Ronald Reagan said this of genocidal Guatemalan leader Montt: “President Ríos Montt is a man of great personal integrity and commitment. … I know he wants to improve the quality of life for all Guatemalans and to promote social justice.”
It’s pretty clear that living in a denialist, revisionist, fantasy land is not a purely Turkish problem.
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This is the same problem I have with France. Recognize the Armenian genocide- good for you, you did the right thing, history is on your side. However, given the historical track records of countries like France and the US, for example, you will have to excuse me for taking their, and other nations recognition of the Armenian genocide (though US is of course not yet “official”) with a grain of salt. I just don’t buy the “right thing to do, promoting justice in the world” arguments. Because they’re lies. Plain and simple. Sure, the United States will promote justice… when it suits us. When we want to. When we can gain something from it.
“The facts of history are well-settled – 1.5 million Armenian men, women and children were deliberately murdered in the first genocide of the 20th Century,”
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” 1.5 million Armenian men, women and children were deliberately murdered…” FACT
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“in the first genocide of the 20th Century,”.. FICTION
The Herero genocide (recognized by perpetrator state Germany) is generally accepted as the first genocide of the 20th century. Why is this phrase even used? Was there no act pre-20th century that could qualify as genocide? Does the “first genocide of the 20th century” mean that genocide is special? Should we care more about the first genocide of the 20th century than say the 4th genocide of the 20th century? Are the lives of those murdered in the first genocide of the 20th century worth more than those murdered in subsequent genocides?
“I think US national interests are the principle reason for the US not acting in the face of Turkish denial.”
Its a nice fantasy, but I don’t believe Turkey is in any position to be directing USA’s destiny by compromising its national interests through Genocide denial. Instead, the correct term is convenience. Turkey has certainly proved that it is capable of making things inconvenient for the USA, its “important ally”.
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“in the first genocide of the 20th Century,”.. FICTION
This is a non-issue, and trivial nonsense. Besides the fact that the Armenian Genocide was a process, some stating it to be 1915-1923, while others 1894-1923, the crime of Genocide came to be known as a result of the Ottoman and subsequent Young Turk criminal acts against the Armenians, thus the Armenian Genocide was the first true Genocide inherent in its definition. Lemkin was not shocked enough at the Herero incident to prompt him in his research. This does not mean that past crimes cannot be retroactively labeled as genocide. But the first Genocide of the 20th century means the act of genocide came to be known as a result of the Armenian Genocide, not Herero. This all being said, I don’t consider the term “the first genocide of the 20th century” to have any significance.
“This is a non-issue, and trivial nonsense.”
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Agreed. Yet, it keeps being repeated.
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“But the first Genocide of the 20th century means the act of genocide came to be known as a result of the Armenian Genocide, not Herero.”
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Well certainly the Armenian genocide is better known, and played a large role in Lemkin’s creation of the term genocide. But I disagree that the act of genocide came to be known as a result of the Armenian genocide. The word genocide was coined during the Holocaust, all the Human rights acts etc. were formed directly after the Holocaust. Genocide became known, really, because of the Holocaust. It’s unfair of course, that the Holocaust receives so much more attention, but it is what it is.
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“Instead, the correct term is convenience.”
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I agree, that’s a better way to word it, that’s what I had meant originally.
why do Armenians always become a nuisance to America’s foreign policy? you created your own mess, why rely on the US when your big brother is Russia?
The problem is two fold: First Denialist lies allows perpetrators and collaborators to continue enjoying the assets of the victims.
Second, the grassroots needs to be mobilized through education, appropriate marketing, voting power.
I don’t think this bill will promote strong Turkish-Armenian normalization and ties, but more Armenian faschism and terrorism, like the ASALA in the 1970s-1980s.
“Dadrian”
Excue me? Who creates the mess for US government? Armenian citizens who are descendants of the Genocide demand recognition, a Genocide which was also witnessed by the then US envoy to Turkey. Go and read his testimonies, that is if you are not a Turkish agent under Armenian name.
Rifat
Don’t worry, there will always be many more fascists and terrorists and much more callous at that among your 60 million or so population even without passing such acts.
Turk like you have no shame to deny AG and Genocide of entire Christian population of Ottomans Turkey, for 98 years, and yet some fanatic Turks brainwashing and screwing their own people with 301 different type of “halal” screw drivers!!