FLASHBACK: In 2000, Candidate Bush Called Armenian Massacre A ‘Genocidal Campaign’

[Poiuyt]

FLASHBACK: In 2000, Candidate Bush Called Armenian Massacre A ‘Genocidal Campaign’

Today, President Bush announced his opposition to a new congressional resolution labeling the Ottoman massacres of Armenians a “genocide.” Between 1915 and 1923, as many as 1.5 million Armenians were killed by the Ottoman Turks. From Bush’s press briefing today:

I urge members to oppose the Armenian genocide resolution now being considered by the House Foreign Affairs Committee. We all deeply regret the tragic suffering of the Armenian people that began in 1915. This resolution is not the right response to these historic mass killings, and its passage would do great harm to our relations with a key ally in NATO and in the global war on terror.

But when Bush was running for president in 2000, he wrote a letter to the Armenian National Committee affirming that the Armenians were “subjected to a genocidal campaign.” He promised that if “elected president,” he would make sure that the United States “properly recognizes” the tragedy. From his letter:

The twentieth century was marred by wars of unimaginable brutality, mass murder and genocide. History records that the Armenians were the first people of the last century to have endured these cruelties. The Armenians were subjected to a genocidal campaign that defies comprehension and commands all decent people to remember and acknowledge the facts and lessons of an awful crime in a century of bloody crimes against humanity. If elected President, I would ensure that our nation properly recognizes the tragic suffering of the Armenian people.

http://thinkprogress.org/2007/10/10/bush-armenian-genocide/

[bluestateguy]

1. He won't cross the Turks, the Saudis or the Mexicans

Now he won't let Texas execute a child killer who is a Mexican national.

[AlGore-08.com]

2. Yup I remember that well - - he also denounced racial profiling of Arab-Americans

Blast from the past:

http://www.sptimes.com/News/102400/Worldandnation/Muslims_endorse_Bush_.shtml

Muslims endorse Bush for president

A national committee for Muslims says Bush has shown "elevated concern'' about the use of profiling at airports and secret evidence.

A national political action committee for Muslims endorsed George W. Bush for president Monday, predicting if Arab-Americans and Muslims vote in a bloc they can swing razor-thin margins in Michigan and Illinois his way.

The American Muslim Political Coordinating Council PAC said Bush has shown "elevated concern" about issues its community holds dear: stopping the government's use of secret evidence against Arab and Muslim immigrants, and its profiling of Arab-Americans at airports.

(snip)

There are an estimated 6-million Muslims in the United States, with the largest populations in California, Michigan, New York, Illinois and New Jersey. More than 62 percent are registered voters, according to pollster John Zogby.

Estimates put the Arab-American vote in Michigan at 9 percent of the total -- more than enough to cover a 2 to 4 point spread between Bush and Gore.

Both Bush and Gore have quietly solicited Arab-American support through mailings and citizen meetings while remaining staunch supporters of Israel.

(more... )