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AAA: Obama Responds to Community Concerns With Respect to Turkey

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  • AAA: Obama Responds to Community Concerns With Respect to Turkey

    PRESSRELEASE
    December 4, 2009

    Issued Jointly by:
    Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (East and West)
    Armenian General Benevolent Union
    Armenian Assembly of America


    PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA RESPONDS TO COMMUNITY CONCERNS WITH RESPECT TO TURKEY

    Incorporates by Reference Acknowledgment of the Armenian Genocide


    Washington, DC - U.S. President Barack Obama responded to a joint letter
    sent by major Armenian-American institutions, which outlined several
    concerns with respect to "Turkey's failures to uphold its international
    obligations." The joint letter called on the Administration to "hold
    the Turkish government accountable" with respect to Turkey's public
    commitments to establish normal relations without preconditions and lift
    its blockade of Armenia.

    In addition, the letter also emphasized that "true reconciliation will
    occur only when Turkey comes to terms with its past" and urged President
    Obama to affirm the Armenian Genocide. Moreover, the letter conveyed
    the concerns shared by the Diaspora across the globe that "if this
    normalization process is used as a smokescreen for not reaffirming the
    Armenian Genocide and the U.S. record, it will be a blow to the
    rapprochement process and the expectations of people of goodwill
    everywhere."

    Responding to the joint letter, President Obama reiterated America's
    position that "normalization between Armenia and Turkey should move
    forward without preconditions and within a reasonable timeframe." This
    position also reflects that of the governments of Switzerland, France,
    Russia as well as the European Union.

    In addition, President Obama also incorporated by reference the fact of
    the Armenian Genocide stating that "my view of that history has not
    changed. My interest remains the achievement of a full, frank, and just
    acknowledgement of the facts." The President's reference to his
    historical view was used during his trip to Turkey earlier this year as
    well as in his April 24, 2009 statement and includes multiple usages of
    the term Armenian Genocide. Also, the Swiss, French, Russian, and
    European parliaments have all affirmed the Armenian Genocide.

    The Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (East and West), Armenian
    General Benevolent Union, and Armenian Assembly of America welcome
    President Obama's strong commitment and interest in helping the people
    of Armenia. We also stand united in our position that U.S.
    reaffirmation of the Armenian Genocide should not be held hostage to
    normalization of relations.

    President Obama's upcoming meeting with Turkey's Prime Minister Recep
    Tayyip Erdogan scheduled for December 7th in Washington, DC represents
    an important opportunity to hold the Turkish government accountable with
    respect to its international obligations to lift its blockade of Armenia
    and normalize relations without preconditions, as well as come to terms
    with its genocidal past.

    ###

    Editor's Note: Text of President Barack Obama's letter attached


    Thank you for your letter in support of the normalization of relations
    between Armenia and Turkey. I believe this historic process has
    important benefits for the future of both countries.

    I agree that normalization between Armenia and Turkey should move
    forward without preconditions and within a reasonable timeframe. On
    October 10, Secretary Clinton represented the United States at the
    historic signing of the protocols providing a framework for
    normalization. We continue to support Armenia and Turkey as they move
    ahead to fulfill the promise of normalization.

    Regarding the past, I deeply appreciate your views on what is one of the
    great atrocities of the 20th century. As I said in my Remembrance Day
    message, my view of that history has not changed. My interest remains
    the achievement of a full, frank, and just acknowledgement of the facts.
    I believe that the best way to advance that goal is for the Armenian and
    Turkish people to address the facts of the past as part of their efforts
    to move forward. We will continue to vigorously support the
    normalization effort in the months ahead.

    Sincerely,



    Barack Obama
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