Nancy Pelosi: It is long past the time for the US to formally recognize the Genocide

Dozens of Democratic and Republican Members of Congress joined this evening with over five hundred Armenian Americans from across the United States in Capitol Hill's historic Cannon Caucus Room in a solemn remembrance devoted to U.S. recognition of the Armenian Genocide, reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD), in their remarks to the standing-room only audience, both spoke forcefully of their personal commitment to proper U.S. condemnation and commemoration of the Armenian Genocide.

"It is long past the time for the United States to formally recognize the Armenian Genocide," noted Speaker Pelosi in her remarks. She went on to spotlight the importance of grassroots
efforts against Turkey's multi-million dollar campaign of genocide denial. "How far we can go with the resolution [H.Res.252] this year depends on the outreach that each and every one of us in this room can do to win on the floor of the House. We can do any amount of inside maneuvering in the Congress and Washington, but what is important is the outside mobilization to bring to bear the voices of people across America."

The Congressional Armenian Genocide observance was organized by the Congressional Armenian Caucus, with Caucus Co-Chairs Rep. Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and Rep. Mark Kirk (R-IL) serving as Masters of Ceremony. Opening prayers were offered by his Eminence Oshagan Choloyan, Prelate of the Armenian Apostolic Church of the Eastern United States as well as Archbishop Vicken Aykazian, Legate of the Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church of Eastern United States.

Joining Speaker Pelosi and Majority Leader Hoyer in offering remarks at the Armenian Genocide commemoration were Armenian Genocide Resolution lead sponsors Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) and Rep. George Radanovich (R-CA), House Members of Armenian descent Anna Eshoo (D-CA) and Jackie Speier (D-CA), as well as Reps. Thaddeus McCotter (R-MI), Jim McGovern (D-MA), Rep. Brad Sherman (D-CA), Dina Titus (D-NV) and Tim Walz (D-MN).

Members in attendance at the Observance also included Sen. Jack Reed (D-RI), and Reps. Jim Costa (D-CA), David Dreier (R-CA), Bob Filner (D-CA), Rush Holt (D-NJ), Carolyn Maloney (D-NY), James Langevin (D-RI), Richard Neal (D-MA), Gary Peters (D-MI), Ed Royce (R-CA) and Diane Watson (D-CA).

The evening included powerful remarks about the consequences of genocide by guest speaker Dr. Henry Theriault of Worcester State University. Also offering remarks were Armenian Ambasador Tatul Markarian and Permanent Representative of the Nagorno Karabagh Republic to the U.S. Robert Avetisyan.

SOURCE: http://armradio.am/news/?part=pol&id=14833

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Turkey recalls Canadian ambassador after Armenian tribute​

ANKARA, TURKEY – The federal government says Turkey's decision to recall its ambassador does not represent a diplomatic breakdown between the countries.

Turkey pulled Ambassador Rafet Akgunay from Ottawa after it learned that a cabinet minister attended an event this week commemorating the genocide of Armenians by Turks during the First World War.

But a spokeswoman for Foreign Affairs Minister Lawrence Cannon insisted Canada's position on the issue is "not an indictment of modern Turkey."

"Turkey is a democracy, we have good relations with Turkey – they are allies," said Catherine Loubier. "We welcome the reconciliation efforts between Turkey and Armenia."

Akgunay was called home for "thorough evaluations and consultations," Turkish foreign ministry spokesman Burak Ozugergin said in Ankara.

However, another Turkish official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the ambassador was being withdrawn temporarily to protest the Canadian government's presence at the event on Parliament Hill.

Aris Babikian, executive director of the Armenian National Committee of Canada, said Immigration Minister Jason Kenney and Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff attended the group's event Tuesday.

The ceremony marked the fifth anniversary of Canada's recognition of the genocide.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper did not attend, but he sent a letter of support saying Canada hopes "tolerance and openness ... will guide Armenia and Turkey in developing their relations."

"We remember the terrible loss of life during the demise of the Ottoman Empire in 1915, and in particular the horrific suffering endured by the Armenian people," Harper wrote in an annual message officials said was virtually unchanged from his original comment in 2006.

Ignatieff said the memory of the "Great Calamity" is "a reminder of the destructive power of animosity between nations."

"The memory of the victims of genocide must never be an incitement to hatred," he added.

"On this day, we commemorate that condemnation of the Armenian genocide of 1915 as a crime against humanity. In our own time, we commit ourselves to the intolerance of hatred and the defence of our shared humanity."

Babikian contends the recall is not so much aimed at Canada as it is at the United States, where legislators have introduced a resolution recognizing the genocide.

U.S. President Barack Obama was expected to make a statement this week marking the event's 94th anniversary.

"I think the Turkish government is sending a message to Obama through Canada that `if you recognize it, look what we will do,"' Babikian said.

"This whole stunt, this blackmail by the Turkish government, has a much wider target than Canada itself."

More than 70 parliamentarians from all parties have confirmed their attendance at a similar Armenian National Committee event on Parliament Hill next Tuesday, Babikian added.

The group's president, Jirair Basmadjian called the Turkish government's behaviour "an insult to Canada and to Canadians."

It's the second time Turkey has recalled its ambassador to Canada over the genocide dispute.

In 2006, Turkey criticized Harper and briefly withdrew its ambassador over remarks the prime minister made in support of recognizing the mass killings as genocide. It also withdrew from a military exercise in Canada in protest.

Historians estimate that up to 1.5 million Armenians were killed by Ottoman Turks – an event widely viewed by scholars as the first genocide of the 20th century.

Turkey denies the deaths constituted genocide and contends the toll has been inflated and the casualties were victims of civil war and unrest.

Loubier noted that all federal parties supported the 2004 motion acknowledging by a vote of 153-68 "the Armenian genocide of 1915" and condemning it as a crime against humanity.

If passed, the U.S. resolution could undermine efforts by Obama's administration to win the help of Turkey, a NATO ally, 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 legislators 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.thestar.com/News/Canada/article/622377

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On the hand, the federal government deceives itself. It represents a diplomatic breakdown between Turkey and Canada and already in 2004.

My best wishes for Canada and their new friend - propagander and monocultural, monoracial Armenia.