Discussion Thread

[VaheTheGreat(e)]

Hillary Clinton is going to be the new State Secretary. I herd also that she got some connections with Turkish lobby. What do you think it will bring to?

[Sako]

I doubt it will lead to a lot, Obama is against the word Genocide itself so the Turks won't be able to do much, that means Clinton as well whether she is against the Genocide or not.

[VaheTheGreat(e)]

I doubt it will lead to a lot, Obama is against the word Genocide itself so the Turks won't be able to do much, that means Clinton as well whether she is against the Genocide or not.

What you mean Obama is against word Genocide? I heard on varicose occasions him pronouncing that word in description of AG.

[Alexandros]

I don`t like the choice and to be honest I don`t trust the Clintons and never will however Sen. Clinton has actually been supportive when it comes to the Armenian Genocide resolution.Let me quote:

During her tenure in the U.S. Senate, Hillary Clinton has both called upon President Bush to honor his campaign pledge to recognize the Armenian Genocide, and also cosponsored every Armenian Genocide Resolution since coming into office in 2001.

Read more here

It all remains to be seen.One thing we should not forget that VP-elect Biden has been a strong champion for the Armenian-American community and their concerns and if you think about Biden`s foreign policy experience it wouldn`t surprise me that Biden would be able to influence Obama`s foreign policy.ANCA(Armenian National Committee of America) has also played an important roll in the election where they endorsed Obama over McCain for President - Obama promised under the election that he would recognize the Armenian Genocide if elected President while McCain did not.Members of ANCA worked hard in several states to get Obama elected.

Lastly, this is what Obama had to say about his incoming cabinet:

"I assembled this team because I'm a strong believer in strong personalities and strong opinions," he said. "I think that's how the best decisions are made. ... So I'm going to be welcoming a vigorous debate inside the White House."

"But understand I will be setting policy as president," he added. He said he will be responsible for "the vision that this team carries out, and I expect them to implement that vision once decisions are made."

Quoting Harry S. Truman, Obama said: "The buck will stop with me."

"The time has come for a new beginning, a new dawn of American leadership to overcome the challenges of the 21st century," Obama said.

Source

[VaheTheGreat(e)]

Thanks Alexandros, I got your point, the man in charge is Obama...but I still don’t like the idea of Hillary Clinton being state Secretary...

[Sako]

It's all politics, seriously. The same happened here in Armenia.

[lal]

ı am against usa using the word ''genocide'' at least in 2009. already 90% of turks dislike american politics today. main reason is the invasion of ıraq which resulted an uncontrolled area in northern ıraq where pkk attack and harm turkey.using the word ''genocide'' will cause a big crisis among turkey and usa which may cause turkey to completely shift its political direction from usa by the pressure of frustrated turkish people. obama is the last hope for saving turkey-america relations. and this chance must not be waisted.

armenians who only want to harm turkey and only run after vendetta may demand a legal recognition by usa president. but armenians who only want turkey to apologise and start a good relationship between turks and armenians must not support this. this will stop the newly started efforts of reconciliation.

ı know it is difficult to do so. but if ı can openly and loudly defend armenians in turkey,there must be some armenians who have commonsense to reach the peacefull end.

[Tongue]

If I'm not mistaken, Hillary Clinton was a cosponser of the S.Res.106, the Armenian Genocide Resolution.. Which answers the question about her stance on the issue. The new Obama administration is as Armenia friendly as it gets.. If the Genocide is not recognized during their administration, I don't think it ever will.

I doubt it will lead to a lot, Obama is against the word Genocide itself so the Turks won't be able to do much, that means Clinton as well whether she is against the Genocide or not.

Obama is not against the word genocide!! Biden is also a long term strong supporter of the Armenian Genocide. If they don't recognize the genocide, I don't think anyone will.

From his website:
Barack Obama on the Importance of US-Armenia Relations
| January 19, 2008

I am proud of my strong record on issues of concern to the one and a half million Americans of Armenian heritage in the United States. I warmly welcome the support of this vibrant and politically active community as we change how our government works here at home, and restore American leadership abroad.

I am a strong supporter of a U.S.-Armenian relationship that advances our common security and strengthens Armenian democracy. As President, I will maintain our assistance to Armenia, which has been a reliable partner in the fight against terrorism and extremism. I will promote Armenian security by seeking an end to the Turkish and Azerbaijani blockades, and by working for a lasting and durable settlement of the Nagorno Karabagh conflict that is agreeable to all parties, and based upon America's founding commitment to the principles of democracy and self determination. And my Administration will help foster Armenia's growth and development through expanded trade and targeted aid, and by strengthening the commercial, political, military, developmental, and cultural relationships between the U.S. and Armenian governments.

I also share with Armenian Americans – so many of whom are descended from genocide survivors - a principled commitment to commemorating and ending genocide. That starts with acknowledging the tragic instances of genocide in world history. As a U.S. Senator, I have stood with the Armenian American community in calling for Turkey's acknowledgement of the Armenian Genocide. Two years ago, I criticized the Secretary of State for the firing of U.S. Ambassador to Armenia, John Evans, after he properly used the term "genocide" to describe Turkey's slaughter of thousands of Armenians starting in 1915. I shared with Secretary Rice my firmly held conviction that the Armenian Genocide is not an allegation, a personal opinion, or a point of view, but rather a widely documented fact supported by an overwhelming body of historical evidence. The facts are undeniable. An official policy that calls on diplomats to distort the historical facts is an untenable policy. As a senator, I strongly support passage of the Armenian Genocide Resolution (H.Res.106 and S.Res.106), and as President I will recognize the Armenian Genocide.

Genocide, sadly, persists to this day, and threatens our common security and common humanity. Tragically, we are witnessing in Sudan many of the same brutal tactics - displacement, starvation, and mass slaughter - that were used by the Ottoman authorities against defenseless Armenians back in 1915. I have visited Darfurian refugee camps, pushed for the deployment of a robust multinational force for Darfur, and urged divestment from companies doing business in Sudan. America deserves a leader who speaks truthfully about the Armenian Genocide and responds forcefully to all genocides. I intend to be that President.

I look forward, as President, to continuing my active engagement with Armenian American leaders on the full range of issues of concern to the Armenian American community. Together, we will build, in new and exciting ways, upon the enduring ties and shared values that have bound together the American and Armenian peoples for more than a century.

http://www.barackobama.com/2008/01/19/barack_obama_on_the_importance.php

[Alexandros]

ı am against usa using the word ''genocide'' at least in 2009. already 90% of turks dislike american politics today. main reason is the invasion of ıraq which resulted an uncontrolled area in northern ıraq where pkk attack and harm turkey.using the word ''genocide'' will cause a big crisis among turkey and usa which may cause turkey to completely shift its political direction from usa by the pressure of frustrated turkish people. obama is the last hope for saving turkey-america relations. and this chance must not be waisted.

armenians who only want to harm turkey and only run after vendetta may demand a legal recognition by usa president. but armenians who only want turkey to apologise and start a good relationship between turks and armenians must not support this. this will stop the newly started efforts of reconciliation.

ı know it is difficult to do so. but if ı can openly and loudly defend armenians in turkey,there must be some armenians who have commonsense to reach the peacefull end.

lal,

41 of 50 U.S states "have by legislation or proclamation, recognized the Armenian Genocide".(CLICK HERE)

It will only be a matter of time before a U.S President recognizes the Armenian Genocide.

But I must say that I have difficult to understand you here.On the one hand you want Turkey to recognize th AG and on the other hand you don`t want other countries to do the same?Do you really expect that countries should wait to recognize the AG until Turkey does it?Or what are you trying to say?Or does this concern only USA?

Feel free to explain.

[Gavur]

Hillel:If not now, when? If not here, where? If not you, who?