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WHITE HOUSE AGREES TO DISPLAY ARMENIAN GENOCIDE RUG
Boston Globe, MA
April 30 2014
By Noah Bierman
WASHINGTON -- Senator Edward J. Markey announced Wednesday that the
White House has agreed to publicly display the "Armenian Orphan Rug,"
made by survivors of the Armenian Genocide.
The White House, which has the rug in storage, had blocked showing the
rug at the Smithsonian for an event scheduled in December. Markey and
several other members of Congress wrote letters to President Obama
late last year urging him to reconsider showing the rug, a gift to
President Calvin Coolidge in 1925 to recognize American assistance
to the survivors.
The issue is sensitive because Turkey, a close US ally, refuses to
recognize the genocide.
Markey, a Massachusetts Democrat, said in a statement that the rug
could be displayed in the summer or fall and that "a venue for the
display that is appropriate, sensitive and open to the public is
currently being sought."
"Displaying this significant piece of history will serve as reminder
that we will never forget the Armenian Genocide and highlight the
continued need to work towards its proper recognition," Markey said
in his statement.
The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
http://www.bostonglobe.com/news/politics/2014/04/30/senator-edward-markey-says-white-house-has-agreed-display-controversial-armenian-genocide-rug/xMFBwLUd1FwlQWl48tIdpK/story.html
Boston Globe, MA
April 30 2014
By Noah Bierman
WASHINGTON -- Senator Edward J. Markey announced Wednesday that the
White House has agreed to publicly display the "Armenian Orphan Rug,"
made by survivors of the Armenian Genocide.
The White House, which has the rug in storage, had blocked showing the
rug at the Smithsonian for an event scheduled in December. Markey and
several other members of Congress wrote letters to President Obama
late last year urging him to reconsider showing the rug, a gift to
President Calvin Coolidge in 1925 to recognize American assistance
to the survivors.
The issue is sensitive because Turkey, a close US ally, refuses to
recognize the genocide.
Markey, a Massachusetts Democrat, said in a statement that the rug
could be displayed in the summer or fall and that "a venue for the
display that is appropriate, sensitive and open to the public is
currently being sought."
"Displaying this significant piece of history will serve as reminder
that we will never forget the Armenian Genocide and highlight the
continued need to work towards its proper recognition," Markey said
in his statement.
The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
http://www.bostonglobe.com/news/politics/2014/04/30/senator-edward-markey-says-white-house-has-agreed-display-controversial-armenian-genocide-rug/xMFBwLUd1FwlQWl48tIdpK/story.html