Genocide resolution still far from certain

By: Richard Simon

Los Angeles Times, page A1

April 21, 2007

News is about the Armenian genocide placed in the front page of LA Times.    This article caught my attention because I am an Armenian. For us, Armenians, Genocide in general a very important and relevant issue. It is also coincides with the Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day in April 24, 2007.  The event took place across the country to commemorate and to press action for the Congressional resolution to recognize Armenian genocide to “… accurately characterize the systematic and deliberate annihilation of 1.5 million Armenians as genocide.”

Richard Simon started his article chronologically in the year 2000 when a Congressional resolution was sponsored to recognize the Armenian Genocide. It goes on to the present wherein he cited the bill has better chances of approval with Nancy Pelosi as the new Speaker of the House.  The information has well balance arguments, which cited the political problems on national security, diplomatic relations with Turkey and Israel, the facts and events recorded by historians and researchers. He even included the LA Times policy to use the word genocide “…because a large body of historical evidence and authoritative recent research support the accuracy of the term to describe the events.”

The impact of a resolution by the Congress is well presented which he quoted the US government position on the issue, the involvement of American Jewish Congress, the participation Anti-Defamation League and Zionist Organization of America; the efforts made by the Turkish government to prevent the resolution from passing.  The diplomatic arguments made by Secretary Condaleeza Rice and Defense Secretary Robert Gates that an approved resolution would jeopardize Turkey’s support for US troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.  The Turkish government position on the issue that there will be a diplomatic backlash if it is approved and Speaker Pelosi’s political gain if she pushes the bill for approval.

“Larger forces may quash a measure on Armenian deaths in Turkey.” A conclusion, which is placed as a part of the headline in the front page of the newspaper.  Based on the facts, which he presented from the initial resolution, by Rep. Radanovich in 2000 to present new Congress, the bill will surely meet a lot of resistance from Bush administration to the Congress. The writer clearly elaborated his conclusion based on his research about the issue.  He covered all points and related issues that supports the headline “Genocide resolution still far from certain.”

I never knew that there are politicians working on the Armenian Genocide.  This article by Richard Simon made me aware that the Armenian Genocide is a political issue not a social issue.  This article explained the political dilemma of representatives about issues and concerns of their constituents.  Armenian genocide is a fact. As Armenian, I truly believe that there should be a resolution to recognize the Armenian genocide that accurately characterize the systematic and deliberate annihilation of 1.5 millions of Armenians by the Ottoman Empire almost a century ago.  The murder of more than a million of Armenians is clear and simple genocide. Turkish government should apologize and Congress should pass the Genocide resolution in relation to its human rights policies.  Politicians may try to be always politically correct and diplomatic but historical facts and evidences of the murder, ethnic cleansing and annihilation of Armenians by Turks is a GENOCIDE.

Submitted by:  STUDENT

May 2, 2007