Genocide: Turks and Azeris of U.S. to unite against Armenians

May 10, 2011 - 19:34 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net - The Azerbaijani and Turkish Diasporas of the U.S. are going to “jointly oppose” to the Armenian Genocide Resolution adoption by the Congress. They intend to launch a campaign with respect to possible discussions in the U.S. Congress on the Armenian Genocide Resolution (H.Res. 252) adoption.

During a community briefing in California, Congressman Adam Schiff (D-CA) highlighted several legislative initiatives, including the reintroduction of the Armenian Genocide resolution, as well as legislation to address Turkey's ongoing blockade of Armenia, and the protection of Church property and minority rights in Turkey.

Azerbaijanis and Turks residing in the U.S. stated that they will “struggle” against these initiatives and do their “utmost” to urge Congressmen to refrain from discussing the Armenian Genocide Resolution, APA reported.

The Armenian Genocide

The Armenian Genocide (1915-23) was the deliberate and systematic destruction of the Armenian population of the Ottoman Empire during and just after World War I. It was characterized by massacres and deportations, involving forced marches under conditions designed to lead to the death of the deportees, with the total number of deaths reaching 1.5 million.

The majority of Armenian Diaspora communities were formed by the Genocide survivors.

Present-day Turkey denies the fact of the Armenian Genocide, justifying the atrocities as “deportation to secure Armenians”. Only a few Turkish intellectuals, including Nobel Prize winner Orhan Pamuk and scholar Taner Akcam, speak openly about the necessity to recognize this crime against humanity.

The Armenian Genocide was recognized by Uruguay, Russia, France, Lithuania, Italy, 45 U.S. states, Greece, Cyprus, Lebanon, Argentina, Belgium, Austria, Wales, Switzerland, Canada, Poland, Venezuela, Chile, Bolivia, the Vatican, Luxembourg, Brazil, Germany, the Netherlands, Paraguay, Sweden, Venezuela, Slovakia, Syria, Vatican, as well as the European Parliament and the World Council of Churches.