Genocide recognition shouldn't be hindered in lieu of establishing Turkey-Armenia relations

PanARMENIAN.Net - On March 23, the Armenian Council of America (ACA) sent U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton a letter, АСА told PanARMENIAN.Net



The letter says:

"On behalf of the Armenian Council of America and the Armenian American community, we would like to thank you for your continuous support and interest in the relationship between the United States and the Republic of Armenia. In light of your recent visit to the Republic of Turkey, your telephone conversation with Armenia's President Serzh Sargsyan, and President Barack Obama's upcoming visit to Turkey, we would like to bring your attention to a few issues. We acknowledge and appreciate the United States supporting the normalization of the Armenian-Turkish relationship and that you discussed this matter with Turkish Foreign Minister Babacan. We are encouraged that recently there has been some progress made on this front, and we support the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two neighbors and opening of the border. However, acceptance of the Armenian Genocide should not be hindered in lieu of establishing relations between the two nations. The Federal Republic of Germany and the State of Israel have established diplomatic relations, while at the same time the German people and government has acknowledged the crimes of the Holocaust. Therefore, we do not understand the Turkish argument of deterring acceptance of the Armenian Genocide and the American acceptance of this tactic. America as the bastion of democracy and champion of human rights should nurture these bilateral relations as well as the historical truth. President Obama's visit to Turkey, especially in the month of April, is a unique opportunity for the United States to encourage the Republic of Turkey to rectify its historical past in order to develop a strong Armenian-Turkish relationship and for the future of Turkish nation itself.



This will be beneficial for the United States in its approach of strengthening its and neighborly relations in the South Caucasus and the greater Near East. The Armenian Council of America supports the U.S.-Armenia relationship and cooperation. We favor the continuation of the Millennium Challenge Account assistance program to the people of Armenia. The United States has always stood by the Republic of Armenia from the beginning of its independence in 1991. As we are in the United States, Armenia is also currently being affected by the global economic crisis. Any decrease in U.S. humanitarian and economic assistance would affect the livelihood of its citizens. As part of this relationship, we would like to encourage the United States to foster the growth of democracy and a civil society in Armenia. The 2008 Armenian presidential election and the subsequent clamp down on the opposition hindered the growth of these critical elements. Without these solid foundations, Armenia cannot truly develop into a democratic, prosperous, and free market nation. The Obama Administration has been very dynamic in implementing its domestic and foreign policy changes. The Armenian Council of America and the Armenian American community look forward to this leadership standing by its pledge on acknowledging the Armenian Genocide. This will demonstrate the administration's stance that genocide is not accept-able to the United States regardless of geopolitics. We thank you and the administration again for your commitment in improving America's relations and image abroad, as well as promoting peace throughout the world.



Sincerely, Vasken Khodanian.

Chairman."