It would appear that Turkish President Abdullah Gul and Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan have no difficulty labeling Israeli officials “murderers of children” and “guilty of war crimes” but when the United States labels the atrocities perpetrated by Turks against Armenians, that is an entirely different matter.
The bloodshed leading to the massacre of Armenians during the WWI time period is a sore subject, one that may not be addressed as far as Turkey is concenred. Nevertheless, despite efforts by US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to prevent the vote, a congressional panel on Thursday voted to label the Turkish massacre “genocide”, a move that has prompted Ankara to signal it will be recalling its US ambassador “for consultations”. The House Foreign Relations Committee in a 23-22 vote approved the resolution, clearing it for the full House. Nevertheless, this does not guarantee or compel that the House will vote on the non-binding resolution.
Erdogan explained that the vote simply complicates efforts to mend relations between Turkey and Armenia, with the latter being Christian. He condemned the vote, insisting his country is being blamed for a crime “it did not commit”.
In a veiled threat, Erdogan continued “we warned the United States that such a move would harm relations between our countries” and so it may be the case, as the ambassador has been recalled, “for consultations”. Armenia on the other hand called the move a boost for human rights.
The move does place the White House in a bind since Turkey is a NATO ally and on the other hand, US policy must now reflect the vote, referring to the massacre as an act of genocide.
Interestingly, Turkey, which has been a champion of Israel-bashing since Operation Cast Lead, calling on the Security Council to impose sanctions against Israel, is willing to admit to the fact that Ottoman force killed Armenians, but denies the number was 1.5 million as recorded in history. While Turkey is a non-religious Muslim nation, it does seem however to prefer to adapt to the standard Arab policy regarding controversial facts by changing history to suit its agenda.
(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)
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3 Responses
as we see all arabs and muslims are killers but they can not admit to it.NOW WE CAN SEE THE LIGHT IF WE WANT TO SEE THE TRUTH WHAT THE MUSLIMS ARE REAL KILLERS
To the shame and embarassment of the State of Israel. This monsters treated us better in the Land. We were allowed to build houses throughout the land. We were allowed to teach or children how we need to. Jews were not forced into apostacy.
The massacre of Armenians took place almost a hundred years ago. At that time Turkey was part of the Ottoman Empire with a hereditary ruler, not a secular democratic government. There is no connection between then and now.
Why the House decided to hold such a vote is known only to the politicians.
Turkey happened to be one of the few Muslim countries that has had a positive relationship with Israel, and that allowed Jews freedom of religion. Of course, the right-wingers who don’t want peace because they want to annex the whole West Bank would love for Israel to lose a friend. That way their maneuverings would have more support. Unfortunately, this would be bad for Israel as a whole. As an Israeli citizen, I am for Israel, not a minority who only puts their own private agenda first and foremost.