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MAJOR ARMENIAN-AMERICAN ORGANIZATIONS CALL ON PRESIDENT OBAMA TO HOLD TURKEY ACCOUNTABLE
armradio.am
16.09.2009 13:05
As Congress reconvened last week, the leaders of major
Armenian-American organizations called upon President Barack Obama
to hold Turkey accountable to its international obligations to lift
the blockade of Armenia and establish diplomatic relations without
preconditions.
They also urged President Obama to unequivocally reaffirm the Armenian
Genocide. The letter recalled what the late Senator Edward Kennedy
often said, "in order to know what to do in the future, you must
understand and remember the past."
The signatories represented the following four organizations: Armenian
General Benevolent Union; Diocese of the Armenian Church of America
(Eastern); Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Western) and
Armenian Assembly of America.
The letter was prompted by the August 31 release of the protocols
announced by the governments of Armenia and Turkey for the
normalization of relations between the two neighboring countries. The
letter reads:
"We are writing to you regarding the August 31, 2009 announcement by
the foreign ministries of Armenia, Turkey and Switzerland with respect
to protocols to be signed within six weeks to establish diplomatic
relations between the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Turkey
and to open the border between the two countries.
We support the normalization of r elations between Armenia and Turkey
without preconditions. We appreciate your commitment in encouraging
reconciliation between Turkey and Armenia and feel strongly that the
United States has a major role to play in this regard. We also note
that in addition to the United States, France and Russia and the
European Union have welcomed this latest development.
We look forward to a positive outcome, but are concerned in view of
Turkey's prior failures to uphold its international obligations. We,
therefore, call upon you and your Administration to hold the Turkish
government accountable with respect to Turkey's commitments to lift
the fifteen year-plus blockade it has imposed against Armenia and
establish permanent diplomatic relations with the Republic of Armenia.
In addition, assertions by Turkey, for example, that the Nagorno
Karabakh peace talks proceed in parallel to Armenian-Turkish
rapprochement are not acceptable. They add an unnecessary dimension
to an already delicate process. In fact, linking two separate and
distinct sets of negotiations creates a dangerous precedent that
places both processes at risk.
As the late Senator Edward Kennedy so often said, "in order to
know what to do in the future, you must understand and remember the
past." To that end, true reconciliation will occur only when Turkey
comes to terms with its past. In that regard, we value your repeated
statements on the importance of r ecognizing the Armenian Genocide and
strongly urge you to directly and unequivocally affirm this terrible
crime against humanity.
In so doing, the United States will honor a proud chapter in
U.S. history when America responded by helping to save the survivors
of the first genocide of the twentieth century.
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.
We all know and appreciate full well that respect for moral principles
and the pursuit of justice are essential for a peaceful world."
armradio.am
16.09.2009 13:05
As Congress reconvened last week, the leaders of major
Armenian-American organizations called upon President Barack Obama
to hold Turkey accountable to its international obligations to lift
the blockade of Armenia and establish diplomatic relations without
preconditions.
They also urged President Obama to unequivocally reaffirm the Armenian
Genocide. The letter recalled what the late Senator Edward Kennedy
often said, "in order to know what to do in the future, you must
understand and remember the past."
The signatories represented the following four organizations: Armenian
General Benevolent Union; Diocese of the Armenian Church of America
(Eastern); Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Western) and
Armenian Assembly of America.
The letter was prompted by the August 31 release of the protocols
announced by the governments of Armenia and Turkey for the
normalization of relations between the two neighboring countries. The
letter reads:
"We are writing to you regarding the August 31, 2009 announcement by
the foreign ministries of Armenia, Turkey and Switzerland with respect
to protocols to be signed within six weeks to establish diplomatic
relations between the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Turkey
and to open the border between the two countries.
We support the normalization of r elations between Armenia and Turkey
without preconditions. We appreciate your commitment in encouraging
reconciliation between Turkey and Armenia and feel strongly that the
United States has a major role to play in this regard. We also note
that in addition to the United States, France and Russia and the
European Union have welcomed this latest development.
We look forward to a positive outcome, but are concerned in view of
Turkey's prior failures to uphold its international obligations. We,
therefore, call upon you and your Administration to hold the Turkish
government accountable with respect to Turkey's commitments to lift
the fifteen year-plus blockade it has imposed against Armenia and
establish permanent diplomatic relations with the Republic of Armenia.
In addition, assertions by Turkey, for example, that the Nagorno
Karabakh peace talks proceed in parallel to Armenian-Turkish
rapprochement are not acceptable. They add an unnecessary dimension
to an already delicate process. In fact, linking two separate and
distinct sets of negotiations creates a dangerous precedent that
places both processes at risk.
As the late Senator Edward Kennedy so often said, "in order to
know what to do in the future, you must understand and remember the
past." To that end, true reconciliation will occur only when Turkey
comes to terms with its past. In that regard, we value your repeated
statements on the importance of r ecognizing the Armenian Genocide and
strongly urge you to directly and unequivocally affirm this terrible
crime against humanity.
In so doing, the United States will honor a proud chapter in
U.S. history when America responded by helping to save the survivors
of the first genocide of the twentieth century.
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.
We all know and appreciate full well that respect for moral principles
and the pursuit of justice are essential for a peaceful world."