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BARACK OBAMA 'LAME DUCK', BUT NOT FREE TO USE WORD 'GENOCIDE' - AGHASI YENOKYAN
10:58 â~@¢ 17.04.15
In an interview with Tert.am, political scientist Aghasi Yenokyan
voiced doubts that US President Barack Obama, even after a week of
series of victories in international recognition of the Armenian
Genocide, will use the word "genocide."
Although Mr Obama is "lame duck president," he needs a political
decision of his party. On the other hand, the US president will
attend a ceremony commemorating Armenian Genocide victims to be held
in Washington.
According to world mass media, Turkish FM Mevlut CavuÅ~_oglu went to
Turkey to prevent the US president using the word "genocide." With
respect to the possibility of the US president using the word
"genocide" in the context of the liturgy held by Pope Francis and
the European Parliament's resolution, Mr Yenokyan said:
"I do not think it is up to the US president alone to decide. He needs
his party's decision to use the word 'genocide.' I do not think that
the US has changed its position on the use of the word 'genocide.' Of
course, they use synonyms, but they are not the same as 'genocide.'"
As regards analysts' opinions about the Armenian factor's role in
the situation surrounding Turkey and the Turkish foreign office's
shock, Mr Yenokyan said that debates on the Armenian Genocide have
intensified this year in the context of the Armenian Genocide centenary
and relevant efforts. However, it does not concern the US.
The US president is reportedly expected to approve a US delegation
which is to attend events marking the Armenian Genocide centennial in
Armenia. US presidential runner Hillary Clinton is likely to arrive
as well as US presidential candidates normally seek Armenian voters'
favor.
"Barack Obama will not arrive in Armenia. As regards others, it is
more a speculation."
As to the possibility of the US president's attending a liturgy at
the Washington National Cathedral, Mr Yenokyan said:
"Some information is available on Barack Obama's planned presence
at the commemoration ceremonies for Armenian Genocide victims in
Washington. This is a most important factor showing the United
State's attitude."
The Jews are said to have the best experience in having their Holocaust
internationally recognized. In the context of the past week's
developments, Armenians can be said to be entering a higher-level
stage.
"The Pope's remarks and recognition of the Armenian Genocide by a
number of states are new steps."
As regards the inconsistency on the part of many states - for example,
Russian President Vladimir Putin is scheduled to visit Armenia,
while Chairman of the State Duma Sergey Naryshkin is to be present
at events marking the Battle of Gallipoli - the expert said:
"It is natural they do not want to worsen their relations with Turkey."
Mr Yenokyan does not share the opinion that the Pope's remarks imparted
religious implications to recognition of the Armenian Genocide,
as a token of harmony between sister-churches.
"And I would like to remind you that it was Muslim and Arab states
that helped Genocide survivors. On the other hand, this is political
manipulation on the part of Turkey, which is now displaying rather
serious state and religious trends."
http://www.tert.am/en/news/2015/04/17/aghasi-yenokyan/1648277
10:58 â~@¢ 17.04.15
In an interview with Tert.am, political scientist Aghasi Yenokyan
voiced doubts that US President Barack Obama, even after a week of
series of victories in international recognition of the Armenian
Genocide, will use the word "genocide."
Although Mr Obama is "lame duck president," he needs a political
decision of his party. On the other hand, the US president will
attend a ceremony commemorating Armenian Genocide victims to be held
in Washington.
According to world mass media, Turkish FM Mevlut CavuÅ~_oglu went to
Turkey to prevent the US president using the word "genocide." With
respect to the possibility of the US president using the word
"genocide" in the context of the liturgy held by Pope Francis and
the European Parliament's resolution, Mr Yenokyan said:
"I do not think it is up to the US president alone to decide. He needs
his party's decision to use the word 'genocide.' I do not think that
the US has changed its position on the use of the word 'genocide.' Of
course, they use synonyms, but they are not the same as 'genocide.'"
As regards analysts' opinions about the Armenian factor's role in
the situation surrounding Turkey and the Turkish foreign office's
shock, Mr Yenokyan said that debates on the Armenian Genocide have
intensified this year in the context of the Armenian Genocide centenary
and relevant efforts. However, it does not concern the US.
The US president is reportedly expected to approve a US delegation
which is to attend events marking the Armenian Genocide centennial in
Armenia. US presidential runner Hillary Clinton is likely to arrive
as well as US presidential candidates normally seek Armenian voters'
favor.
"Barack Obama will not arrive in Armenia. As regards others, it is
more a speculation."
As to the possibility of the US president's attending a liturgy at
the Washington National Cathedral, Mr Yenokyan said:
"Some information is available on Barack Obama's planned presence
at the commemoration ceremonies for Armenian Genocide victims in
Washington. This is a most important factor showing the United
State's attitude."
The Jews are said to have the best experience in having their Holocaust
internationally recognized. In the context of the past week's
developments, Armenians can be said to be entering a higher-level
stage.
"The Pope's remarks and recognition of the Armenian Genocide by a
number of states are new steps."
As regards the inconsistency on the part of many states - for example,
Russian President Vladimir Putin is scheduled to visit Armenia,
while Chairman of the State Duma Sergey Naryshkin is to be present
at events marking the Battle of Gallipoli - the expert said:
"It is natural they do not want to worsen their relations with Turkey."
Mr Yenokyan does not share the opinion that the Pope's remarks imparted
religious implications to recognition of the Armenian Genocide,
as a token of harmony between sister-churches.
"And I would like to remind you that it was Muslim and Arab states
that helped Genocide survivors. On the other hand, this is political
manipulation on the part of Turkey, which is now displaying rather
serious state and religious trends."
http://www.tert.am/en/news/2015/04/17/aghasi-yenokyan/1648277