Turkey calls back ambassador to Canada

[Hope And Change]

Turkey calls back ambassador to Canada

Last Updated: Wednesday, April 22, 2009 | 9:11 AM ET The Associated Press

A Turkish government official says the country recalled its ambassador to Canada after Canadian ministers reportedly took part in an event that labelled the Ottoman-era killings of Armenians as genocide.

Ambassador Rafet Akgunay returned to Ankara for consultations, the government official said on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak with journalists on the subject. He did not say why Akgunay was recalled or for how long.

Leglislators in the United States have also introduced a resolution that would call the death genocide. If passed, the resolution could undermine efforts by President Barack Obama's administration to win NATO ally Turkey's help on key foreign policy goals.

U.S. legislators almost passed a similar resolution two years ago, but congressional leaders did not bring it up for a vote after intense pressure from the Bush administration.

Obama avoided the term "genocide" when he addressed Turkish lawmakers during his visit a month ago. But he said, in response to a question, that he had not changed his views. As a presidential candidate, Obama said the killings amounted to genocide.

http://www.cbc.ca/world/story/2009/04/22/turkey-ottawa-ambassador-canada-recall.html">Full article here

Bill Clinton promised to recognize the Armenian Genocide: he didn`t do it; George Bush promised to recognize the Armenian Genocide: he didn`t do it; let`s see if Obama will keep his promise and recognize the Armenian Genocide.

[gcomeau]

1. Sigh...

Bill Clinton promised to recognize the Armenian Genocide: he didn`t do it; George Bush promised to recognize the Armenian Genocide: he didn`t do it; let`s see if Obama will keep his promise and recognize the Armenian Genocide.

He already did. I am so sick of this nonsense, people rurning around saying he refused to recognize it because he wasn't the one who spoke the word in the freaking exchange.

To paraphrase:

Reporter: "You said during the campaign it was a genocide. Still think that?"
Obama: "Yep".

How the hell is that NOT recognizing it as a genocide?

The exact quote of the exchange:

As a U.S. senator you stood with the Armenian-American community in calling for Turkey's acknowledgement of the Armenian genocide and you also supported the passage of the Armenian genocide resolution. You said, as President you would recognize the genocide. And my question for you is, have you changed your view, and did you ask President Gul to recognize the genocide by name?


PRESIDENT OBAMA: Well, my views are on the record and I have not changed views.

What the hell do people think that meant? The fact that he wasn't the one to use the word in the exchange is irrelevent. The reporter used the word FOUR times. Spelled out exactly what those on the record views were (that it was a genocide) and asked him if he changed them. He said he hadn't. That is, for those who are slow on the uptake, the President of the United States standing in front of the global press in Turkey telling them he still thinks it was a genocide and should be recognized as such.

"But... but... but... he didn't personally say the exact word in his answer!!!!"

That's exactly the same as this:

Prosecutor: "So, do you confess to the murder of the victim?"
Defendant: "Yes, yes I do"
Prosecutor: "Your Honor! He just confessed! "
Judge: "No... no he didn't. I didn't hear the exact word "confess" from him so it doesn't count. That "Yes I do" could have meant anything! Maybe he was answering a different question from the voices in his head that none of us could hear."

I can't be the only one who thinks that is mind numbingly stupid.

[Hope And Change]

2. Relax, I was talking about the 24th April which is the commemoration of the Armenian Genocide.

[gcomeau]

3. So it only counts if he says it on a certain day?

How does that make any sense? He went and stood in Turkey and said it in front of the whole planet already.

[Hope And Change]

4. Obama should be given credit for what he did in Turkey.But if he could do it...

in Turkey then why can`t he officially recognize the Armenian Genocide by using the "G" word on 24th April here in USA?After all, Obama did promise to recognize the Armenian Genocide; not as a massacre; not as a tragedy; but for what it was: a Genocide!

42 U.S states have officially recognized the Armenian Genocide.There`s a reason why the Armenians have the 24th April as the commemoration of the Armenian Genocide.You should know better since you yourself live in California.



http://www.anca.org/assets/graphics/ancaregions/wr/2009/Gov-Sch-Arm-Gen-Pcl-2009.pdf

[FrenchieCat]

5. Unfortunately for Armenia and Turkey.....

In order of importance, I put this in the negative category.

There's just too much going on currently to insist on this nearly 100 year old occurrence
be publicly aknowledged on a particular day only or else anything said about it,
doesn't count.

I mean....really.

[Hope And Change]

7. Does that concern the Rwandan Genocide too?Look what Obama had to say about the Rwandan Genocide...

Obama Statement on Rwanda Anniversary

THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
April 7, 2009

STATEMENT BY THE PRESIDENT ON THE 15th ANNIVERSARY OF THE GENOCIDE IN RWANDA

This week marks the 15th commemoration of the 1994 genocide in Rwanda. It is a somber occasion that causes us to reflect upon the deaths of the more than 800,000 men, women, and children who were killed simply because of their ethnicity or their political beliefs. The memory of these events also deepens our commitment to act when faced with genocide and to work with partners around the world to prevent future atrocities. The figure of 800,000 is so enormous, so daunting, that it runs the risk of becoming a statistic. Today, we must remember that each of the 800,000 individuals who died in 1994 had their own story, their own family, and their own dreams. As we mourn their senseless passing, we must also acknowledge the courageous men and women who survived the genocide and have since demonstrated remarkable strength and generosity in forgiving those who committed these heinous acts. These individuals inspire us daily by working to restore trust and rebuild hope in Rwanda. The United States is committed to its partnership with Rwanda and will continue to support efforts to promote sustainable development, respect for human rights, and lasting peace in Rwanda.

###

http://thepage.time.com/obama-statement-on-rwanda-anniversary/">Link

You see, Obama used the "G" word on the 7th April because that is the Rwandan genocide memorial day.

When Polish Jewish law professor Raphael Lemkin coined the term "Genocide", he had the Armenian example in mind:

As a teen, Lemkin learned through news accounts that the Turkish government was slaughtering its Christian Armenian citizens. The government claimed it was putting down an Armenian revolt. Over 8 years they killed a million Armenian men, women and children in massacres and forced marches. To this day, Turkey denies a genocide took place. Few of the perpetrators ever faced justice.

http://edition.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/europe/11/13/sbm.lemkin.profile/">Link

...Raphael Lemkin, a law professor who in 1943 coined the term genocide. "I became interested in genocide because it happened so many times," he tells the CBS commentator Quincy Howe. "First to the Armenians, then after the Armenians, Hitler took action."

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/04/17/arts/television/17stan.html?ex=1302926400&en=42703f4960edef66&ei=5090&partner=rssuserland&emc=rss">Link

And this is Obama`s promise to recognize the Armenian Genocide:

Barack Obama on the Importance of US-Armenia Relations

| January 19, 2008

I am proud of my strong record on issues of concern to the one and a half million Americans of Armenian heritage in the United States. I warmly welcome the support of this vibrant and politically active community as we change how our government works here at home, and restore American leadership abroad.

I am a strong supporter of a U.S.-Armenian relationship that advances our common security and strengthens Armenian democracy. As President, I will maintain our assistance to Armenia, which has been a reliable partner in the fight against terrorism and extremism. I will promote Armenian security by seeking an end to the Turkish and Azerbaijani blockades, and by working for a lasting and durable settlement of the Nagorno Karabagh conflict that is agreeable to all parties, and based upon America's founding commitment to the principles of democracy and self determination. And my Administration will help foster Armenia's growth and development through expanded trade and targeted aid, and by strengthening the commercial, political, military, developmental, and cultural relationships between the U.S. and Armenian governments.

I also share with Armenian Americans – so many of whom are descended from genocide survivors - a principled commitment to commemorating and ending genocide. That starts with acknowledging the tragic instances of genocide in world history. As a U.S. Senator, I have stood with the Armenian American community in calling for Turkey's acknowledgement of the Armenian Genocide. Two years ago, I criticized the Secretary of State for the firing of U.S. Ambassador to Armenia, John Evans, after he properly used the term "genocide" to describe Turkey's slaughter of thousands of Armenians starting in 1915. I shared with Secretary Rice my firmly held conviction that the Armenian Genocide is not an allegation, a personal opinion, or a point of view, but rather a widely documented fact supported by an overwhelming body of historical evidence. The facts are undeniable. An official policy that calls on diplomats to distort the historical facts is an untenable policy. As a senator, I strongly support passage of the Armenian Genocide Resolution (H.Res.106 and S.Res.106), and as President I will recognize the Armenian Genocide.

Genocide, sadly, persists to this day, and threatens our common security and common humanity. Tragically, we are witnessing in Sudan many of the same brutal tactics - displacement, starvation, and mass slaughter - that were used by the Ottoman authorities against defenseless Armenians back in 1915. I have visited Darfurian refugee camps, pushed for the deployment of a robust multinational force for Darfur, and urged divestment from companies doing business in Sudan. America deserves a leader who speaks truthfully about the Armenian Genocide and responds forcefully to all genocides. I intend to be that President.

I look forward, as President, to continuing my active engagement with Armenian American leaders on the full range of issues of concern to the Armenian American community. Together, we will build, in new and exciting ways, upon the enduring ties and shared values that have bound together the American and Armenian peoples for more than a century.

http://www.barackobama.com/2008/01/19/barack_obama_on_the_importance.php">Link

Let`s hope Obama keep his promise and recognize the Armenian Genocide on the 24th April which is the commemoration of the Armenian Genocide.

[FrenchieCat]

8. Doesn't change what I said.

He has been clear that he believes that Turkey undertook Genocide back in 1915....

But let us not confuse this issue with that of Rwanda, which occurred in 1994,
and where there is no foreign government to blame, just ourselves.

My point was with those who insist that unless President Obama makes a denouncement of turkey
on a particular day, then none of what he has said counts. I think that is an unreasonable position, considering what is happening foreign policy wise right now......as opposed to 90+ years ago.

[Hope And Change]

11. First of all I didn`t say that Obama`s speech in..

Turkey`s parliament should be neglected or the presser he held afterwards together with President Gul in Turkey was nothing of impoartance.On the contrary, Obama should be commended for what he said.However I can understand that Obama didn`t use the "G" word in Turkey since it would cause an outrage in Turkey.

As for the Rwanda-Turkey connection, Obama is not blaming the Turkish Government or the Turkish people today for the Genocide against the Armenians back in 1915.He`s blaming the Ottoman Empire for the Genocide.However Obama has been calling Turkey to acknowledge the Armenian Genocide - you see the difference?

If other countries have recognized the Armenian Genocide why can`t USA do it?I`m talking about an official recognition of the Armenian Genocide on 24th April.Obama promised to recognize the Armenian Genocide in the Presidential elections.The problem is that Bill Clinton and George Bush did that too, but didn`t use the "G" word on 24th April because it would offend Turkey.In that case, McCain was at least honest and said he would not recognize the Armenian Genocide.

Anyway, I will be keeping my fingers crossed and hope that Obama will keep his promise and recognize the Armenian Genocide on 24th April.

[bdamomma]

6. Turks just got to come clean and say they did it, and move on.

being of Armenian ancestry the Turks just don't want to face the facts, that indeed this massacre took place, the Congress at one time had survivors of the massacre tell their stories, they lost members of their families, no matter what nationality has been slain like this Genocide must end. The nightmare in Darfur must end too.

[burning rain]

9. EU membership for Turkey should be out of the question.....

so long as it officially denies the Armenian genocide. And denial does the Turks no good, for it props up gruesome nationalists.

[DFW]

10. It should be out of the question anyway.

Not just because their culture still supports "honnor killings" of female family members
who date Europeans or go out dancing with their friends.

Turkey is, except for a tiny sliver just this side of the Bosporus, not in Europe. It
is in Asia. It is bad enough that Romania and Bulgaria, European in geography only, were
admitted only so that European corporations could build factories there and not pay their
workers a decent wage at home, and not have to adhere to strict environmental practices
in their home countries.

If they claim that they deserve membership because of all the Turks living in the West,
they should have admitted Pakistan, China and Vietnam to the European Union long ago.