- Nov 3, 2004
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During his campaign, Obama showed his understanding of Armenian Genocide and promised to recognize it at a national level. As of today, most states (at least 40) have already officially recognized the Armenian Genocide. Hawaii was the recent one. The major state that strongly refrains from doing so is Texas.
Just weeks before April 24 (day of remembrance of AG) Obama visited Turkey during his European trip. What do you think Turkey did to make Obama break his campaign promise?
Historically, it been shown that the "last step" of many genocides was to deny it (even a well documented one like the Holocaust has deniers). Obviously, Obama is not denying the Armenian Genocide, but there must be something between US and Turkey that made him refrain from recognizing it, and break the campaign promise.
EDIT: link to today's story
"I also share with Armenian Americans ? so many of whom are descended from genocide survivors ? a principled commitment to commemorating and ending genocide. That starts with acknowledging the tragic instances of genocide in world history. As a U.S. Senator, I have stood with the Armenian American community in calling for Turkey's acknowledgment of the Armenian Genocide.
"Two years ago, I criticized the Secretary of State for the firing of U.S. Ambassador to Armenia, John Evans, after he properly used the term 'genocide' to describe Turkey's slaughter of thousands of Armenians starting in 1915. I shared with Secretary (Condoleezza) Rice my firmly held conviction that the Armenian Genocide is not an allegation, a personal opinion, or a point of view, but rather a widely documented fact supported by an overwhelming body of historical evidence. The facts are undeniable. An official policy that calls on diplomats to distort the historical facts is an untenable policy.
"Genocide, sadly, persists to this day, and threatens our common security and common humanity. Tragically, we are witnessing in Sudan many of the same brutal tactics - displacement, starvation, and mass slaughter - that were used by the Ottoman authorities against defenseless Armenians back in 1915. I have visited Darfurian refugee camps, pushed for the deployment of a robust multinational force for Darfur, and urged divestment from companies doing business in Sudan. America deserves a leader who speaks truthfully about the Armenian Genocide and responds forcefully to all genocides. I intend to be that President."
"As a senator, I strongly support passage of the Armenian Genocide Resolution (H.Res.106 and S.Res.106), and as President I will recognize the Armenian Genocide."
2008
Just weeks before April 24 (day of remembrance of AG) Obama visited Turkey during his European trip. What do you think Turkey did to make Obama break his campaign promise?
Historically, it been shown that the "last step" of many genocides was to deny it (even a well documented one like the Holocaust has deniers). Obviously, Obama is not denying the Armenian Genocide, but there must be something between US and Turkey that made him refrain from recognizing it, and break the campaign promise.
EDIT: link to today's story