THE ARMENIAN ASSEMBLY OF AMERICA RESONDS TO PRESIDENT BUSH'S APRIL 24 ARMENIAN GENOCIDE STATEMENT
Washington, DC - In 2000, then presidential candidate Governor George W. Bush stated that if elected President, he would properly recognize the Armenian Genocide. In his pledge, Bush stated that "the Armenians were subjected to a genocidal campaign that defies comprehension and commands all decent people to remember and acknowledge the facts and lessons of an awful crime in a century of bloody crimes against humanity."
Eight years later, his 2008 Presidential statement again provides a dictionary definition of genocide, but the resistance in using the term genocide not only fails to complete George W. Bush's promise, but more importantly fails to promote the professed goal of preventing genocide. This year's statement actually represents a subtle step back from prior April 24 statements.
April 24 is a day of mourning and rededication for Armenians, their friends and for all people concerned with eliminating the scourge of genocide. This is what April 24 signifies.
In his final April 24 statement, President Bush missed the mark, which may account for the ongoing nature and escalation of threats of genocide around the world. Today's statement backtracks from his prior indirect acknowledgements of the Armenian Genocide. For example, in 2005 and 2006, Bush recognized the indirectly by his reference to the findings of the International Center for Transitional Justice (ICTJ).
In the face of Turkish demands again this year, President Bush omitted the findings by the ICTJ. This year's statement also continues to ignore President Reagan's 1981 proclamation that affirms the Armenian Genocide, which still stands as U.S. recognition and was confirmed by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia. These two missteps by this Administration discount the United States' proud and dignified record during the time of the Armenian Genocide, as well as most Americans and a majority of States today.
In addition, Turkish pressure was brought to bear on House Resolution 106, which called on the President to recognize the Armenian Genocide. Turkey's ongoing denial has also created an atmosphere of intolerance, which led to the tragic assassination of Turkish-Armenian journalist Hrant Dink, by a Turkish nationalist. Turkey's long term interests would be better served by coming to grips with its genocidal past, rather than fining and jailing those who speak the truth about the Armenian Genocide. Hrant Dink was recently inducted into the Journalists Memorial in the Newseum in Washington, D.C. The event was attended by his widow, Rakel Dink, along with representatives of the Armenian Assembly.
Executive Director of the Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) of Greater Boston Nancy K. Kaufman said in a recent commemoration speech on April 18, that "as a way of not letting the be forgotten, I would like to bear witness - to testify, if you will - to that history," adding that "it is particularly important for us, as Jews, to speak out in support of your community's efforts to fight denial."
Ironically, this year's statement comes against the backdrop of rapid progress and development since May 2007, of the Museum of America. The museum is located steps away from the White House and will stand as a permanent memorial and testament for all who lost their lives in the Armenian Genocide. It will also serve as a learning center to prevent future genocides.
While Bush's statement also notes the Nagorno Karabakh peace process, it does not address the failure to achieve a just peace, nor does it address the ongoing military escalation by Azerbaijan against the Armenians there, who also faced a campaign of ethnic cleansing. This too stands as a stark reminder that the lessons of the cannot be forgotten.
No one questions President Bush's sincerity in mourning the tremendous loss Armenians and the world suffered as a result of the Armenian Genocide, and his use of the dictionary definition is better than ignoring it; nevertheless, it is profoundly disappointing that he failed to keep his word, of which the consequences are real.
As Armenia's President Serge Sarkisian stated today, there is no room for denial of the and that Armenian Statehood is of exceptional importance. No Armenian or person of goodwill should disagree with these fundamental principles. Unfortunately, today's White House statement fell short.
Established in 1972, the Armenian Assembly is the largest Washington-based nationwide organization promoting public understanding and awareness of Armenian issues. It is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt membership organization.
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- 1904 The great battle of Semal (the Sassoon rebellion) took place under the leadership of General Andraneek. Hrair (Armenak Ghazarian) was killed in the fighting. He was born in 1864.
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- 1953 Completion of the first stage of construction of the Gyumush hydroelectric power station.
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