President Barack Obama Responds to Community Concerns With Respect to Turkey - Incorporates by Reference Acknowledgment of the Armenian Genocide

Issued Jointly by:
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (East and West)
Armenian General Benevolent Union
Armenian Assembly of America

Washington, DC - U.S. President Barack Obama responded to a joint letter sent by major Armenian-American institutions, which outlined several concerns with respect to "Turkey's failures to uphold its international obligations." The joint letter called on the Administration to "hold the Turkish government accountable" with respect to Turkey's public commitments to establish normal relations without preconditions and lift its blockade of Armenia.

In addition, the letter also emphasized that "true reconciliation will occur only when Turkey comes to terms with its past" and urged President Obama to affirm the Armenian Genocide. Moreover, the letter conveyed the concerns shared by the Diaspora across the globe that "if this normalization process is used as a smokescreen for not reaffirming the Armenian Genocide and the U.S. record, it will be a blow to the rapprochement process and the expectations of people of goodwill everywhere."

Responding to the joint letter, President Obama reiterated America's position that "normalization between Armenia and Turkey should move forward without preconditions and within a reasonable timeframe." This position also reflects that of the governments of Switzerland, France, Russia as well as the European Union.

In addition, President Obama also incorporated by reference the fact of the Armenian Genocide stating that "my view of that history has not changed. My interest remains the achievement of a full, frank, and just acknowledgement of the facts." The President's reference to his historical view was used during his trip to Turkey earlier this year as well as in his April 24, 2009 statement and includes multiple usages of the term Armenian Genocide. Also, the Swiss, French, Russian, and European parliaments have all affirmed the Armenian Genocide.

The Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (East and West), Armenian General Benevolent Union, and Armenian Assembly of America welcome President Obama's strong commitment and interest in helping the people of Armenia. We also stand united in our position that U.S. reaffirmation of the Armenian Genocide should not be held hostage to normalization of relations.

President Obama's upcoming meeting with Turkey's Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan scheduled for December 7th in Washington, DC represents an important opportunity to hold the Turkish government accountable with respect to its international obligations to lift its blockade of Armenia and normalize relations without preconditions, as well as come to terms with its genocidal past.

Editor's Note: Text of President Barack Obama's letter attached

Thank you for your letter in support of the normalization of relations between Armenia and Turkey. I believe this historic process has important benefits for the future of both countries.

I agree that normalization between Armenia and Turkey should move forward without preconditions and within a reasonable timeframe. On October 10, Secretary Clinton represented the United States at the historic signing of the protocols providing a framework for normalization. We continue to support Armenia and Turkey as they move ahead to fulfill the promise of normalization.

Regarding the past, I deeply appreciate your views on what is one of the great atrocities of the 20th century. As I said in my Remembrance Day message, my view of that history has not changed. My interest remains the achievement of a full, frank, and just acknowledgement of the facts. I believe that the best way to advance that goal is for the Armenian and Turkish people to address the facts of the past as part of their efforts to move forward. We will continue to vigorously support the normalization effort in the months ahead.

Sincerely,

/s/

Barack Obama