by Marinka Peschmann, Special to Canada Free Press
September 17, 2004
What do Canada, France, the Vatican and Presidential hopeful John Kerry have in common? Armenian Genocide. “Between 1915-1923 the rulers of the old Ottoman Empire killed or deported over 1.5 million Armenian men, women and children in a systematic policy of ethnic extermination.” John Kerry — April 22, 2004. In August 2004, Kerry pledged, “as President, I will continue to fight against the denial of the Armenian Genocide.” But under both Democratic and Republic administrations, President Reagan, President Bush, Sr., and President Clinton, the Armenian Genocide resolution didn’t pass both houses.
Canada’s Armenian Genocide resolution passed on April 21, 2004, “and condemn this act as a crime against humanity.” Prime Minister Paul Martin and Foreign Affairs Minister Bill Graham stated that the resolution does not represent the Canadian government’s position. On January 29, 2001, “France publicly recognizes the Armenian Genocide of 1915.” Pope John Paul II’s September 27, 2001, declaration read in part, “The extermination of a million and a half Armenian Christians, in what is generally referred to as the first genocide of the twentieth century…” And accused flip-flopper, Senator Kerry, is cosponsoring the latest Genocide Resolution, S.Res.164″ and has been “resolute” and “steadfast for 20 years” on this issue.
In 1990, Kerry voted in favor of Republican Senator Bob Dole’s Genocide Resolution. Democratic Senator Robert Byrd gave notice that he would filibuster and succeeded in stopping its passage. Kerry cosponsored legislation, “S.1557, granting Armenia permanent normal trade relations status” and champions initiatives to “lift the Turkish and Azerbaijani blockades,” including last January, when he called on President Bush to press Turkey’s Prime Minister “to lift his nation’s illegal blockade of Armenia.” , a position that President Bush already held and enforced early on in his administration. Bush, like Clinton, commemorates April 24th, Armenian Remembrance day. Armenia shares borders with Turkey and Iran. “There are individuals on both sides who are obstacles and supporters,” says Aram Sarafian of The National Organization of Republican Armenians, “in time – it will pass. It’s an eventuality. Every year it gets closer.”
This highly charged “moral” issue within the Armenian community has been a global hot button issue for decades. Do the ramifications of acknowledging “genocide” and passing a U.S. “genocide resolution” reach wider on the World stage, affecting U.S. National Security interests and stability in the region? Some argue “no,” suggesting that claim is overblown, “Turkey needs the U.S. more than the U.S. needs Turkey.” Others claim “it’s purely lobbying.” The American-Armenian groups first gathered politically in the 1970s and have grown more powerful and effective during the 1990s.
Turkey, a member of NATO, rebuffs Armenia’s genocide allegations, claiming the death toll is lower and both the Turks and Armenians suffered causalities when the Ottoman Empire collapsed before Modern-day Turkey was created in 1923. Currently seeking European Union (EU) membership Turkey must first implement human rights reforms and halt the “Continued torture and maltreatment of prisoners… widespread abuse of women, and restrictions on free expression.” Belgium is calling for an Armenia Genocide inclusion. Britain, the USA and Germany support Turkey’s EU bid. This December, a date is to be scheduled for Turkey’s EU application.
On October 19, 2000, Republican House Speaker Dennis Haster pulled the latest Genocide resolution, citing a letter written by President Clinton, who wrote, “We have significant interests in this troubled region of the world:” Violence between Israelis and Palestinians had escalated, the bombing of the USS Cole sharpened conflict in the Middle East and the continuation of U.S. forces using South Turkey’s Incirlik air base to maintain Saddam Hussein’s containment was in jeopardy. “Consideration of the resolution at this sensitive time will negatively affect those interests and could undermine efforts to encourage improved relations between Armenia and Turkey.”
On January 28, 2004, New York Life Insurance Co., reached a $20 million class action settlement negotiated in part on behalf of the Armenian-American plaintiff’s by, double-murder accused Scott Peterson’s, famed attorney, Mark Geragos. New York Life will pay “to resolve more than 2,000 insurance policies issued to Armenians in the Turkish Ottoman Empire prior to 1915… and contribute at least $3 million to Armenian civic organizations.”
In Los Angeles on August 31, 2004, a class action lawsuit was filed on behalf of Armenians against two German banks, Deutsche Bank and Dresdner Bank who: “1) made deposits, 2) were killed in the Armenian Genocide and 3) whose heirs were not repaid deposits on their accounts.
Anthony Barsamiain, Chairman of the Armenian Assembly of America is committed to seeing the resolution passed. “There will be a date soon when the President and the Congress regardless of party reaffirms the Armenian Genocide,” said Barsamiaian, “and in turn will bring to light the truth of the American response.”
If elected would Kerry honor his pledge or repeat history? “I think he”s gone so far,” says Barsamian, “and has such a record that I don’t think he could.” A high level Kerry official confirmed that Kerry is “solid” on passing the Armenia Genocide resolution. When pressed on specifics the official acknowledged, “That’s a tough one”.
Marinka Peschmann is a freelance writer whose first book collaboration, the best-selling The Kid Stays In The Picture; was made into a documentary. She’s contributed to several books and stories ranging from showbiz and celebrities to true crime and politics.
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