Assembly: Obama's visit to Turkey unique occasion to raise Genocide issue

PanARMENIAN.Net - The U.S. president, Barack Obama's upcoming visit to Turkey is a unique occasion to raise the issue of the Armenian Genocide in the Ottoman Empire and its denial by Turkey, said Brian Ardouny, Executive Director of the Armenian Assembly of Armenia. As PanARMENIAN.Net was reported at AAA, the Assembley welcomes the Congressmen's initiative, of Adam Schiff, Frank Pallone, George Rodanovich, and Mark Kirk who reminded Barack Obama again about his pre-election promise to recognize the Armenian Genocide.



Washington, DC - On March 10, Congressman Adam Schiff (D-CA), joined by Representative George Radanovich (R-CA) and the Co-Chairs of the Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues, Representatives Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) and Mark Kirk (R-IL), sent a letter to President Barack Obama thanking him for his strong record in support of Genocide affirmation and urging him to remain steadfast in his commitment. The letter comes after a recent announcement that President Obama plans to visit Turkey next month, reported the Armenian Assembly of America.



"During your upcoming trip to Turkey," the letter reads, "and in discussions with your advisors over how to commemorate the events of 1915-1923, you will doubtless be counseled by some to continue the practice of avoiding the truth in favor of short-term political expediency. We do not minimize Ankara's threats of adverse action when you recognize the genocide, or when Congress takes action to formally recognize the genocide, but we believe that our alliance is strong enough to withstand the truth."



The letter also recalls President Obama's record on the issue and how he has "demonstrated time and again [his] understanding of the importance to Armenian-Americans of formal American recognition of the crime that was committed against their parents, grandparents and great-grandparents." Adding that "their pain is not unlike that of American Jews, who live each day with the memory of the Holocaust... Whether it is today's Sudanese government or yesterday's Ottoman Empire, the perpetrators of genocide, as well as the victims, must know that the United States will not shrink from confronting the truth."



"President Obama's upcoming trip to Turkey presents a unique opportunity to address the consequences of genocide and its denial. We, therefore, applaud the initiative of Representatives Schiff, Radanovich, Pallone and Kirk," stated Assembly Executive Director Bryan Ardouny.



Established in 1972, the Armenian Assembly of America is the largest Washington-based nationwide organization promoting public understanding and awareness of Armenian issues. The Assembly is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt membership organization.