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AGAIN, REP. SCHIFF URGES OBAMA TO OFFICIALLY RECOGNIZE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE
Glendale News Press, CA
April 17 2013
Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Burbank) on Wednesday once again called on
President Obama to officially recognize the Armenian genocide of 1915
- a request that for years has gone unfulfilled amid political
pressure from a key NATO ally, Turkey.
The genocide of 1915 to 1918 claimed the lives of roughly 1.5 million
Armenians under the Ottoman Empire, which became the modern republic
of Turkey.
Modern day Turkey disputes that genocide took place, claiming the
victims were killed during the violent chaos of World War I and its
aftermath.
As a candidate, Obama used the term genocide to refer to the massacre,
but since taking office, has steered clear of the verbiage as a way -
critics say - to appease Turkey, an important military ally in the
Middle East.
Each year, Obama has issued a statement marking the anniversary of the
start of the first genocide of the 20th Century, and each year, the
chorus of criticism grows as thousands of Armenians take part in
commemorations around the world in late April.
Schiff, the lead sponsor of the Armenian genocide recognition
resolution in Congress, has asked that Obama finally call the tragic
event what it truly in an official capacity.
"I urge you to acknowledge the Armenian genocide in your statement
this year, to call genocide, genocide, and to stand with the
ever-dwindling number of survivors, as well as the descendants of
those who were lost, and who must otherwise continue to suffer the
indignity, injury and pain of denial," Schiff said in his letter.
He pointed out that Obama has used the word genocide in the past and
the Armenian genocide has also been recognized by many governments the
world over.
http://www.glendalenewspress.com/news/tn-818-0417-again-rep-schiff-urges-obama-to-officially-recognize-armenian-genocide,0,2811623.story
Glendale News Press, CA
April 17 2013
Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Burbank) on Wednesday once again called on
President Obama to officially recognize the Armenian genocide of 1915
- a request that for years has gone unfulfilled amid political
pressure from a key NATO ally, Turkey.
The genocide of 1915 to 1918 claimed the lives of roughly 1.5 million
Armenians under the Ottoman Empire, which became the modern republic
of Turkey.
Modern day Turkey disputes that genocide took place, claiming the
victims were killed during the violent chaos of World War I and its
aftermath.
As a candidate, Obama used the term genocide to refer to the massacre,
but since taking office, has steered clear of the verbiage as a way -
critics say - to appease Turkey, an important military ally in the
Middle East.
Each year, Obama has issued a statement marking the anniversary of the
start of the first genocide of the 20th Century, and each year, the
chorus of criticism grows as thousands of Armenians take part in
commemorations around the world in late April.
Schiff, the lead sponsor of the Armenian genocide recognition
resolution in Congress, has asked that Obama finally call the tragic
event what it truly in an official capacity.
"I urge you to acknowledge the Armenian genocide in your statement
this year, to call genocide, genocide, and to stand with the
ever-dwindling number of survivors, as well as the descendants of
those who were lost, and who must otherwise continue to suffer the
indignity, injury and pain of denial," Schiff said in his letter.
He pointed out that Obama has used the word genocide in the past and
the Armenian genocide has also been recognized by many governments the
world over.
http://www.glendalenewspress.com/news/tn-818-0417-again-rep-schiff-urges-obama-to-officially-recognize-armenian-genocide,0,2811623.story