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Recognizing Opportunity: Obama visit to Turkey casts doubt on recognition commitment

The announcement last weekend that US President Barack Obama would be visiting Turkey soon was a de facto signal to many here and in Diaspora that recognition of the Armenian Genocide will not be a priority of the new Washington administration.

Previously, hopes ran high that Obama would acknowledge the Genocide during remarks on April 24 – the day Armenians around the world commemorate their loss of family and nation.

The new US president has been an advocate of recognition since early in his career in D.C. as a senator from Illinois.

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21
06.04.2009 04:28
Hello Armenian friends. I've read all your comments and I feel very sorry. I know what you hear about Turkey in international media, but you should know that we are a very mixed society. There are nationalist people but there are also many open minded, liberal people in Turkey. When we try to discuss this issue, if we support Armenian claims, we are called traitors by nationalist people. They justify this idea with the Turkish diplomats killed by Armenians in the 20th century. There are many different voices in Turkey. We are trying to break this nationalist front. What would strengthen the liberal people in Turkey is the friendship of Armenians. If we open this border and maintain good relationships, it will be much more easy for Turkey to discuss this issue freely. I think people who wants to open this border have good intentions, they are not trying to play diplomatic games. I hope we will solve all our problems. I know it's hard to ignore nationalist, racist people but I wish you can also hear open minded people in Turkey. Thanks...
20
05.04.2009 00:01
We have seen this scenario over and over again. Turkey will do anything to avoid taking responsibility for what they did to the Armenian people. They have enlisted the same old cast of characters . . . Israel . . . Jewish Lobbying groups . . . ex Representatives and Senators from the United States Congress who lobby for Turkey (most of who were Democrats and the Armenian Lobbying groups are loathe to expose Democrats) who use American tax dollars to lobby against any Armenian Genocide Resolution . . . and this is what you get. Armenians need to wise up if we are to ensure the United States speak Truth to Justice. We have to breakaway from partisan politics and do the right thing ourselves. I don't see ANCA or AAAIC willing to do that.
19
19.03.2009 00:24
Andrew, you are giving Turks way too much credit. Basing my opinion on various political events leading up to Gul's trip to Armenia, the 'only' reason why Ankara felt forced to go to Yerevan was - the Russian Factor. This was a result of the aftermath of the Russian-Georgian war where Russia showed the world who is in charge of the Caucasus. As a result of the war, Turkey had lost access for something around 70-80% of its energy needs. As a result, Ankara was in a serious panic and wanted to fix the problem as soon as possible. Concurrently, Moscow wanted to bring Yerevan and Ankara closer together under its umbrella. Russia's total victory over America's proxy in the Caucasus created a hard new reality for Turkey. As a result of all these political and economic calculations, Gul felt compelled to make the trip to Armenia.
18
19.03.2009 00:24
Andrew, you are giving Turks way too much credit. Basing my opinion on various political events leading up to Gul's trip to Armenia, the 'only' reason why Ankara felt forced to go to Yerevan was - the Russian Factor. This was a result of the aftermath of the Russian-Georgian war where Russia showed the world who is in charge of the Caucasus. As a result of the war, Turkey had lost access for something around 70-80% of its energy needs. As a result, Ankara was in a serious panic and wanted to fix the problem as soon as possible. Concurrently, Moscow wanted to bring Yerevan and Ankara closer together under its umbrella. Russia's total victory over America's proxy in the Caucasus created a hard new reality for Turkey. As a result of all these political and economic calculations, Gul felt compelled to make the trip to Armenia.
17
18.03.2009 17:55
I agree with Andrew. S.S got into Turkish trap of promises "opening the border" " building relationships" "economy" etc. It is very much clear that even if they open the border, Armenia will become more vulnerable, since Turkish economy will swallow Armenia and make it 100% dependent. This is what Turks want. That is why they are so active. Actually they understand that can not conquer Armenia with military, since the Russia and EU will step in. So, they have taken another pathway-swallow and kill Armenia economically. Short term goal: Let'e be good friends and partners Long term goal: Make Armenia weak, dependent and volnerable, so that in the future it will be easy to conquer it. This is what Azeris and Turks have planned. If they were really honest with us they would say " Sorry Guys...what happened was wrong" But what they do? They blackmail US and all other countries " NOT TO RAISE THIS ISSUE" "JUST FORGET IT" Maybe Mr. Kocharyan and S. Sarkisyan can forget the genocide because they expect more monies from Turkey and they understand that Armenian economy sucks, but eventually every normal Armanian feels the danger that comes from Turkey. Hence: 1. Recognize genocide 2. Teturn homes,property and territory to Armenians
16
18.03.2009 17:24
Hello, İf you give attention to the timing of Turkish-Armenian normalization of billeteral diplomatic rilations, one can find that the commitments made, in the past, by US comming president Mr. Obama, for the recognition of the genocide, imposed Turkey to start building relations. I am sure that if Mr. Obama hade'nt made such commitments, Turkey would not care about the diplomatic relations with Armenia or opening the border. So people who say "working for the recognition by other countries worths noting" must watch the hall picture carefully. By the way without relations with Turkey i dont Armenia' s economy could boost.
15
18.03.2009 15:29
Turkey is a strategic ally with U.S, and it does want to weaken its tight relations with Turkey. It is clearly outlined in the source that Obama's aim is to to withdraw U.S armforces out of the Iraq through Turkey's territory. Turkey would obviously make huge use of Obama's aim. Turkey will demand guarantees from Obama, that he wont accept the genocide. Due to the economic recession and the devaluation of the dollar U>S is gradually losing its ifluence worldwidely and worsening relations with Turkey would mean that U.S.A is losig another strategic ally. However Obama is the symbol of changes, he is the symbol of reincurnation of democracy in U.S.A and in case of failure in economic sector he can always make great use of democratic sector, which is accept the armenian genocide and save its image.I hope Obama would think carefully before giving the guarantees.
14
17.03.2009 18:20
I 100$ agree with Andrew. "Opening boarders" with Armenia is a diplomatic tric that Turks very skilfully deploy against US recognition. What they say " Do not you see that we are normalizing our relationship with Armenia" "Why you interfere"? This was a diplomatic pitfall where illiterate Serzh Azatich Karabakhbashi fell. We do not need any "open borders with Turks" with a price of 1.5 massacred. We need OUR LANDS and HOMES BACK!!!! This is what we need! This is why we need RECOGNITION AND REPARATION!!! We do not need somebody to open borders to our lands...we sooner or later will open it by ourselves. It is not Obama to blame, but HASTAGLUX and CORRUPTED Karabakhbashi...who plays favorits with Cobra-Turkey kissing them day and night. If the US does not recognize it, it should be our fault and diplomatic victory of Turkey.
13
17.03.2009 05:05
Turks are known to be good diplomats. It looks all the recent "improvements" in Turkey-Armenia relations and related optimistic Turkish retorics have been, from the very-very start, masterminded and orchestrated by them with the principal aim -to tell the new and risk-posing US adminitsrtaion, when the time comes: "Guys, please do not spoil the fragile progress that we and this good Armenian government have been able to jointly achieve". The time has come. At this, they will again try to isolate Diaspora as irrelevant to the current Armenian state. Most interesting, if Obama indeed kills his promises and refrains from using the Genocide word, the Turks will go long way to materially improve relations with Armenia making it even more difficult for future US administrations to pronounce the word in question. All well planned in advance. But if Obama does use the term, they most probably will cause substantial harm to his region-related plans - be it normalization of ties with the muslim world, troops withdrawal from Iraq, etc, and will hardly care about "progress" with Armenia...It looks to me we will see the border open this year.
12
16.03.2009 12:55
I was surprised the moderator has decided not to publish my comments sent a few days ago. They were to the topic and didn't contain any slander or offensive language. If, for some reason, you haven't received them, pls let me know and I will re-send. Thanks. Andrew. readerarm@yahoo.com
11
16.03.2009 03:01
I was one of the few people who said that Obama is just another politician, and hypocrite America is not interested in recognizing the A.G. So please diasporans, will you please spend all the money on OUR military, road building etc instead of helping US politicians? It seems you never learn.
10
16.03.2009 02:00
Daron, I am surprised to see your post and its rediculously childish content. Holy Armenian lands? Yes they are/were...but take it with military force? Hmmmm, are you telling me that small Armenia with barely 3 million inhabitants, and surrounded by almost 200 million Turks, will dare to attack Turkey? Wow, such audacity. I am a military man, Lt. Col. in US army, and a proud Armenian too, but such foolish talk don't help you nor me nor the whole Armenian nation. Do you honestly believe that a poorly armed Armenia, with barely 200 antiquated tanks, an air force which is the butt of all jokes, and a small army can face Turkeys 400 plus operational fighters, and its 675,000 standing army? What we need to do is negotiate with the Turks, I understand that opening the border is a double edged sword, good and bad, bad being Armenia will be flooded with cheap Turkish products and why not, Turkish spies, and it will be very easy to recruit Armenians with their $$$$$$$$s. Armenia has no other choice but negotiate, and start a friendly relationship with Israel. Remember: Everything today starts and ends with the state of Israel. We all should know better. May God help Armenia.
9
16.03.2009 01:02
We are fast approaching 100th anniversary of the Genocide and we are still focusing on recognition? Sorry, but am I missing something? The whole lobbying/recognition machine, tragically, is a waste of time and effort. What, ultimately does it accomplish other than to justify the existence of these groups and to impart some sense of self-accomplishment on the part of those involved. None of the Great Powers came to the aid of Armenia after WWI, due to geo-political exigencies, and that scenario hasn't changed today. Keep lobbying my delusional friends. In another ten or twenty years it will not matter anyway. None of you will ever return to western Armenia, even it was handed to you on a silver plate. Dear God, how many of you are even contemplating a return to the Armenia that exists today? If these people were serious they'd be funding the PKK and not the U.S. Treasury and, by extension, the Turkish military machine.
8
15.03.2009 22:16
ok...obama said he would recognize the armenian genocide once in office...so did george bush and bill clinton..but when they took office they obviously didnt...those 2 didnt even mention the word 'genocide' in the april 24 speeches...a few months back the kentucky governor recognized the genocide raising the total # of states that have recognized to 41...washington, mississippi, texas, indiana, alabama, and a few others have yet to...dont be suprised when obama doesnt recognize it though..they never helped us then..why would they now..its crazy though..were the first christian country (like they give a shit)...look at the things armenians have done in america (youtube armenian inventors for example)...and yet still were forgotten..but it's not just turkey it's israeli lobby groups in washington bribing all sorts of people to not help armenians...but personally im gonna be really pissed if obama doesnt because damn i really thought he would !!
7
15.03.2009 20:43
The best way to make Turks and world to recognize our genocide is to take our lands back from Turkey without any explanation. There is no other solution. It is our bisnis, not the bisnis of Europe, Russia or US. Where were all those "democratic countries" when turks killed us? What they did for us?-NOTHING And you still keep thinking they will do smth? Do not be naive. Turks/Azeris understand ONLY ONE LANGUAGE-It is the language of ARMY. Armenia should have strong economy and strang ARMY like Israel.
6
15.03.2009 12:10
Armenians have proven once again that they are nothing but little children when it comes to politics. When before the elections in the US I was saying nothing will change with Obama, Armenians were looking at me like I had two heads... Any Armenian that believes there is democracy or justice in America is a total idiot. Watch The Obama Deception: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eAaQNACwaLw&eurl=http://www.infowars.com/review-the-obama-deception-by-alex-jones/
5
14.03.2009 23:52
I agree with levon, I believe Obama wont keep his promise on recognizing the genocide, us Armenians need to unite band together and possibly take military action in near the future when the time is right to take our holy lands back we couldnt rely on any country in 1915 to intervene why should we make the same mistake an put our efforts in a country that has good relations with Israel,an Turkey its foolish but we must never stop fighting for justice shame on Obama if he doest keep his word
4
14.03.2009 12:45
VANArmenya at YOUTUBE is awesome! Yegek lsetsek.
3
14.03.2009 04:42
It's time for us to change our strategy sireli Hayer jan. Instead of putting our hopes on others let's unite, help each other and reach great heights, only then the world will listen to us.
2
14.03.2009 01:24
Same old same old... American Armenians are again fooled, this time by democrat Obama. It is time to wake up... Obama or Nobama or Bobama, doesn't matter, it is not in US interests to recognize the Armenian Genocide as long as Turkey is an US ally.
1
13.03.2009 23:57
I think Obama will go to Ankara to persuade Turks to open borders. I think he will recognize the fact of genocide if Turks do not open the borders and establish diplomatic relationship with Armenia. However, I think that The US will go for that because there are some plans to weaken Turkey and may be possible split of it. We should be careful that recognition of genocide does not turn out to be another Berlin conference and lead to another genocide for Armenians.
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