Friday, April 11 2014

 The adoption of the Resolution of the Armenian Genocide by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and the following comment by Jen Psaki, Spokesperson for the US Department of State demonstrate how serious the USA's intentions are in this matter, turcologist Hakob Chakryan told ArmInfo's correspondent. 

"Though Ms Psaki did not use the term "genocide" in her statement, nevertheless, she clearly stressed that the United States is aware of the real history, and she also gave a hint to Turkey that the denial policy is unacceptable", Chakryan said. 

To note, following the passage of the Resolution, Ms Psaki said, "Our position has long been that we acknowledge - clearly acknowledge as historical fact and mourn the loss of 1.5 million Armenians who were massacred or marched to their deaths in the final days of the Ottoman Empire. These horrific events resulted in one of the worst atrocities of the 20th century, and the United States recognizes that they remain a great source of pain for the people of Armenia and of Armenian descent, as they do for all of us who share basic universal values".

Chakryan pointed out that the given resolution is special because it has been passed on the threshold of the Armenian Genocide centenary. "It is also a message and if the Turkish lobbyists don't do a "dirty" job the way they did last year, this time the Senate will recognize the Genocide", he said. He added that Turkey realizes the seriousness of the situation and it is concerned now more than ever. "It is proved by the statements of the Turkish high-ranking officials and especially by Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu's telephone call to US Secretary of State John Kerry", said the expert. He added that the USA's recognition of the Armenian Genocide will give a fresh impetus to the process of international recognition.    

To recall, for the first time in nearly a quarter century, the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee adopted an Armenian Genocide Resolution, calling upon the Senate to commemorate this crime and encouraging the President to ensure that America's foreign policy reflects and reinforces the lessons, documented in the U.S. record, of this still-unpunished genocide. During Committee discussion of the measure, Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Robert Menendez told his committee colleagues, "I think the Armenian Genocide is a horrifying factual reality that can never be denied.  I just don't think you can pick and choose your genocides.  Genocide is genocide." "Today's vote affirms America's commitment to truth, deals a serious setback to Turkey's campaign of genocide denial, and sends a clear message to President Obama that he must end his Administration's complicity in Ankara's cover-up of this crime," said Aram Hamparian, Executive Director of the ANCA. Armenian FM Edward Nalbandian said that Yerevan welcomes the adoption of the Resolution. Meanwhile, Mazhar Bagli, member of the Council of Turkey's ruling Justice and Development Party said that Turkish-U.S. relations can deteriorate if the U.S. doesn't take into consideration Turkey's interests in the Armenian genocide issue.