Rep. Cicilline joined by key Committee members in submitting questions on Armenian Genocide, U.S.-Armenia relationship and range of Armenian American Foreign Aid Concerns
WASHINGTON—Congressman Brad Sherman (D-Calif.)—speaking on Feb. 25 from the dais of the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee—directly called upon Secretary of State John Kerry, and by extension the entire Obama-Biden Administration, to stop enforcing Turkey’s gag-rule against an honest American recognition of the Armenian Genocide, reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).
“As Senator Kerry, you championed recognition of the Armenian Genocide. We are now at the 100th anniversary and I would hope that you would show the courage that you are personally known for and on April 24 use the word genocide to describe what happened in Anatolia 100 years ago,” urged Sherman, as part of a series of questions to Kerry during yesterday’s House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing, titled, “Advancing U.S. Interests in a Troubled World: The FY 2016 Foreign Affairs Budget.”
Kerry’s response to this question and others submitted by Congressman David Cicilline (D-R.I.) and several committee members on a broad range of Armenian American concerns are anticipated in the upcoming weeks.
Cicilline, a leading voice for Armenian Genocide justice on the committee, explained, “Today, at a hearing of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, I directed questions to Secretary of State John Kerry regarding our bilateral relationship with Armenia and the Armenian Genocide. As we prepare to mark the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, it is especially important to raise awareness of these atrocities and work to ensure that the world never again experiences a similar tragedy. I will continue to closely monitor these issues and I look forward to continuing to work with advocates both in my district and across the country, especially the Armenian National Committee of America.”
ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian expressed appreciation to Sherman, Cicilline and all committee members submitting inquiries. “With Representative Sherman today—as he spoke his powerful words—were the spirits of those killed in this still unpunished crime, and the hopes of all those working for the day when America’s response to genocide is not determined by a geopolitical calculation, but rather driven by a moral imperative,” said Hamparian.
Kerry has participated in a marathon set of Senate and House hearings this week focusing on President Barack Obama’s proposed Fiscal Year 2015 foreign aid budget. The complete video from the House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing can be viewed at:
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You know that members of this administration will not use the word “Genocide” because Turkey has been blackmailing the United States for years and years saying that they will not allow us to use their air strips if we recognize the Genocide. We are between a rock and a hard place. I don’t know what I would do in their place.
Rather than posing questions to Kerry about a 100-year-old genocide, perhaps pose some about Kerry’s rabid support for an ongoing genocide in Syria that is destroying the descendants of the survivors of that 100-year-old genocide. Why do Armenian organisations often make so much effort into extracting a few insincere words from the very worst of people? But if they must, in Kerry’s case something could be made of the connection through his wife, Teresa Heinz, to the Heinz family. Howard Heinz was an important contributor to relief efforts for Armenians during the genocide period and even visited Armenia in 1920.
Armenians need strong people with courage to be able to state the facts and demand recognition of the genocide.
Actually, the inability of the hypocritical U.S. government to publicly recognize the Armenian Genocide is a lot more than just not having courage; this also has to do with not having common sense. After all this time, the U.S. government has never been able to comprehend that Turkey needs the United States so much more than it needs Turkey. Without American military bases present on its soil, Turkey’s national security would be greatly endangered. What would it possibly be able to do in case of an attack by Russia? That’s the reason why it could never possibly dismantle those U.S. military bases. Therefore, what will Turkey’s reaction be if the U.S. government finally recognizes the Armenian Genocide? Its reaction will be just like it was with all those countries who have recognized the Armenian Genocide up to now. In other words, Turkey would withdraw its ambassador for about a month and then reinstall him back in his position again.
Once again, by allowing itself to be continuously intimidated by the criminal Turkish state, the United States is showing itself to be a total coward.
1915
Unheeded, the first true genocide
Went unrecognized, unrectified.
Hence, World , better brace for many more
Adventures vile and orgies in gore!
2015
We thank Congressman Brad Sherman that ask’s Secretary of State John Kerry along with the Obama-Biden Administration to formally bring forth and to recognize the well documented Armenian Genocide of 1915-1923 perpetrated by the Turkish Government. If the U.S. Government does not formerly recognize this Genocide on it’s upcoming 100th Anniversary, then how can we call our American Nation a truly honest Democracy.
We all know that the Americans will “NOT” use the word genocide and we all know why. Let us be frank about this and unfortunately and with great respect to the founders of America and it’s past politicians some of the current crop have aboslutely no integrity and are blind to the facts even though they know damn well as to what happened 100 years ago. What is the point of pursuing current government members when you and I and many others know it is a false pursuit. The same applies with Israel. We have a saying “they all come out of the same sewer”. May the Armenians rise again one day and show the world what we as Armenians are made off. Ciao
when will armernians take the turks to a world recognized world human rights court and have there say there just like the jews had and much of the rest of the world that had similar claims !! instead of politicizing and trying to get it excepted without a unanimous international human rights verdict of some sort!!
don’t armenians around the world want
undeniable irrefutable acceptance
don’t armenians want reparations(payback)
dont armenians want the public apology from the turks
is the price to high to have the turks in a reputable court !!
why the duality and negative waste of money .time and life spent on propaganda .
just take them to court !!
is the price for ?