OBAMA AVOIDS OFFENDING TURKEY OVER GENOCIDE
Geries Othman
Spero News
Category=33&idsub=125&id=19057&t=Obama +avoids+offending+Turkey+over+genocide
April 27 2009
On the day recalling the physical extermination of Armenians, President
Obama avoided the word ‘genocide’ in reference to Turkey’s role in
the murders. He praised normalization of relations between Armenia
and Turkey.
For 94 years, April 24 has brought the same tension between Turkey and
Armenia: while Armenians all over the world remember the extermination
of one and a half million of their relatives and countrymen on the part
of the Ottoman Turks during the first world war, the Turkish government
staunchly opposes recognizing the events of 1915 as genocide. In fact,
the Turkish and Armenian versions of what really happened continue
to be so different as to be irreconcilable.
And until yesterday evening, everyone remained in suspense over
Obama’s dilemma, curious and concerned, awaiting his remarks on the
question. As candidate, last year he maintained 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."
But many things have changed since his candidacy, and the president of
the United States has found himself between a rock and a hard place,
determined not to raise diplomatic problems with the Turkish capital,
especially now that, after his visit to Turkey, relations between
Ankara and Washington have been strengthened, and it has become very
clear to all that Turkey is a fundamental NATO ally on the chessboard
of the Middle East, to be viewed favorably.
An added difficulty for Obama is represented by the fact that
agreements are under way between Turkey and Armenia for the
institution of normal diplomatic relations. Last September, Turkish
president Abdullah Gul made an historic official visit to Yerevan,
and now, thanks to the mediation of Switzerland, the two capitals are
designing a "road map" so that the border between the two countries –
closed by the Turks in 1993 because of the war between Armenia and
Azerbaijan, over the Nagorno-Karabakh (an Armenian majority region
in Azeri territory, occupied militarily by Yerevan) – can soon be
reopened thanks to the future energy corridor crossing the Caucusus,
from which Armenia certainly does not want to be left out.
Yesterday, as he had announced during his visit to Ankara, on April 6,
demonstrating that he has no intention of getting in the middle of
a debate that has been going on for almost one hundred years, Obama
chose to follow the path of his two predecessors Clinton and Bush
(only Ronald Reagan used the word "genocide"), carefully omitting
the word from the annual declaration for the commemoration "of the
day of the Armenian victims," the use of which could have raised new
tensions, and replacing it with Meds Yeghern (Great Evil), used by
the Armenians themselves to characterize the atrocious events of 1915.
"Ninety four years ago, one of the great atrocities of the 20th century
began. Each year, we pause to remember the 1.5 million Armenians who
were subsequently massacred or marched to their death in the final
days of the Ottoman Empire. The Meds Yeghern must live on in our
memories, just as it lives on in the hearts of the Armenian people,"
Obama said. "I have consistently stated my own view of what occurred in
1915, and my view of that history has not changed. My interest remains
the achievement of a full, frank and just acknowledgment of the facts."
The best way to advance that goal right now is for the Armenian and
Turkish people to address the facts of the past as a part of their
efforts to move forward," the president continued. "I strongly support
efforts by the Turkish and Armenian people to work through this painful
history in a way that is honest, open, and constructive. To that end,
there has been courageous and important dialogue among Armenians and
Turks, and within Turkey itself. I also strongly support the efforts by
Turkey and Armenia to normalize their bilateral relations. Under Swiss
auspices, the two governments have agreed on a framework and roadmap
for normalization. I commend this progress, and urge them to fulfill
its promise. Together, Armenia and Turkey can forge a relationship that
is peaceful, productive and prosperous. And together, the Armenian
and Turkish people will be stronger as they acknowledge their common
history and recognize their common humanity," Obama concluded.
But the powerful Armenian-American lobby felt betrayed, and, deeply
unhappy with these remarks, is accusing the president of not keeping
that promise he made during his candidacy, and of playing the game of
the Turks. And yesterday in Yerevan, during various demonstrations
commemorating the genocide, Armenian nationalists did not hesitate
to burn Turkish flags. Many Armenians of the diaspora are wondering
why economic and political interests must once again cover up the
pain and wounds of their humanity.
72-year-old Arpi Gleciyan asks bitterly, "Every year, the genocide
brings us great pain in our hearts, sharpened by the suffering of the
injustice of silence. How can this profound evil find peace thanks to
the opening of a border? How can that be enough to create friendship?"
22-year-old student Varduhi Varanyan agrees: "Of course, given our
geographical position, we also understand the importance of normal
economic relations with Turkey, and this will bring advantages for
both the Turks and the Armenians. But it can’t be pretended that we
will see ourselves as brothers one day for that reason alone."