Obama Marks Genocide Without Saying the Word

[alp227]

Source: The New York Times

ASHEVILLE, N.C. — President Obama, who as a candidate vowed to use the term genocide to describe the Ottoman slaughter of 1.5 million Armenians nearly a century ago, once again declined to do so on Saturday as he marked the anniversary of the start of the killings.

Trying to navigate one of the more emotionally fraught foreign policy challenges, Mr. Obama issued a statement from his weekend getaway here commemorating the victims of the mass killings but tried to avoid alienating Turkey, a NATO ally, which adamantly rejects the genocide label.

“On this solemn day of remembrance, we pause to recall that 95 years ago one of the worst atrocities of the 20th century began,” Mr. Obama said in the statement, which largely echoed the same language he used on this date a year ago. “In that dark moment of history, 1.5 million Armenians were massacred or marched to their death in the final days of the Ottoman Empire.”

When he was running for president and seeking votes from some of the 1.5 million Armenian Americans, Mr. Obama had no qualms about using the term genocide and criticized the Bush administration for firing an ambassador who dared to say the word. As a senator, he supported legislation calling the killings genocide.

Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/25/world/europe/25prexy.html

---

"No qualms about using the term genocide"? Yet another campaign promise dashed.

[Name removed]

1. Deleted sub-thread

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[liquid diamond]

2. I don't agree with his tiptoeing around the issue, but he does have to "play the game". n/t

[proudohioan]

3. Why do you feel he has to "play the game"....

Not meant as an attack, but I'm curious as to your point of view.....

[FrenchieCat]

6. I find that tangible progress rather than one word

is what Obama attempted to get done,
and so he did.

He is not perfect, certainly, not by a long mile....
but at this time, Turkey is an important strategic Muslim nation
ally for many reasons, and I believe that Pres. Obama walked the
tighrope in a way that benefited both Turkey and Armenia in a long run,
even if he wasn't able to please them both, or please DU posters!

In addition, he has said more about the genocide that took place in 1915
than any other American President.

But in the end, it is up to the countries involved to resolve their issues,
in respect to what happened almost a century ago.


Here's what Obama said in his April 6, 2009 Speech in Turkey:
Human endeavor is by its nature imperfect. History is often tragic, but unresolved, it can be a heavy weight. Each country must work through its past. And reckoning with the past can help us seize a better future. I know there’s strong views in this chamber about the terrible events of 1915. And while there’s been a good deal of commentary about my views, it’s really about how the Turkish and Armenian people deal with the past. And the best way forward for the Turkish and Armenian people is a process that works through the past in a way that is honest, open and constructive.

We’ve already seen historic and courageous steps taken by Turkish and Armenian leaders. These contacts hold out the promise of a new day. An open border would return the Turkish and Armenian people to a peaceful and prosperous coexistence that would serve both of your nations. So I want you to know that the United States strongly supports the full normalization of relations between Turkey and Armenia. It is a cause worth working towards.
http://allthatnatters.com/2009/04/06/transcript-president-barack-obama-speech-to-turkish-parliament-april-6/


This is what is called "tangible" results,
due to the Tighrope walking that in this case
made sense considering......

Armenia and Turkey normalise ties
Sunday, October 11, 2009

Turkey and Armenia have signed a historic accord normalising relations after a century of hostility.

The deal was signed by the two foreign ministers after last-minute problems delayed the ceremony in Switzerland.

Under the agreement, Turkey and Armenia are to establish diplomatic ties and reopen their shared border.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/8299712.stm

Of course, we only discuss the gripes, the imperfect, and the flaws....
not the accomplishments of things that really will advance the parties
to a better place than where they had been.

That's our nature, but I'm not always sure it makes us the better side on these
complex and very intense issues that we know less about than we ever admit to.

[proudohioan]

13. Thanks for your point of view.

You seem to be well versed on the subject.

I feel that the negativity that some feel and express stems from sheer desperation. The worse off one actually is (or perceives to be), the more cynical one is apt to be. Some of us have lost a whole hell of a lot during the Bush years and have found ourselves in places where we NEVER imagined we would be.

My boyfriend, for example, is fairly happy with Obama. He has a very stable job that pays decently, and that he enjoys doing. Me, on the other hand, have not had a "real" job since late 2005, and being currently unemployed, am not so happy. The realization that I may never be self-sufficient and independent again (I'm currently 48 years old) is a pretty tough blow. Losing stability and security is pretty devastating.

And I do find it important to look at and discuss the gripes, the imperfect and the flaws. How else can we pinpoint where we are, what works, and where to go from here without discussing the bad as well as the good. Just as we can't ignore the good, we can't ignore the bad either.

That's just my take on the cynicism and negativity. Granted, some on here tend to be just hateful....

[liquid diamond]

8. We need Turkey's airbases. It's a tactical decision.

We can't afford to piss them off.

[No Elephants]

10. He did not have to make the campaign promise. And, no, he does not HAVE to play the game.

[DFLforever]

4. It's a lot easier to talk foreign policy when you're a

a candidate than when you're a president - as this so clearly demonstrates.

Turkey counted as zero on the campaign trail but as it turns out they're a key strategic ally of the US in the near east and their PM is visiting DC next week.

[No Elephants]

11. No, it's not a lot easier. TheTurks did not forget the promise on Inauguration Day.

Neither did the Armenians.

Candidates for the Presidency need to just as careful about what they say as do Presidents.

[alcibiades_mystery]

5. ...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=433&topic_id=270861

[BunkerHill24]

7. Maybe he didn't mention "genocide" because we are doing it in places like

Afghanistan and Iraq? :shrug:

[FrenchieCat]

9. No, we actually aren't....but thanks for playing.

[liquid diamond]

12. I recommend you look up the definition of genocide.

I know some of you hate the president, but for fuck's sake...