Barack Obama chose to allow USA to remain a hostage to Turkey's threats

PanARMENIAN.Net - Despite repeated statements properly characterizing the Armenian Genocide during his Senate career and a clear pledge stating that "As President, I will recognize the

Armenian Genocide," President Barack Obama issued an April

24th statement evading the proper characterization of the Armenian

Genocide, reported the Armenian National Committee of America

(ANCA).



ANCA Chairman Ken Hachikian issued the following statement

regarding President Obama's April 24th statement:



"I join with all Armenian Americans in voicing our sharp

disappointment with President Obama's failure to honor his solemn

pledge to recognize the Armenian Genocide."



"In falling short of his repeated and crystal clear promises, which

reflected a thorough knowledge of the facts, the practical

implications, and the profound moral dimension of Armenian Genocide

recognition, the President chose, as a matter of policy, to allow

our nation's stand against genocide to remain a hostage to Turkey's

threats."



"The President's statement today represents a retreat from his

pledge and a setback to the vital change he promised to bring about

in how America confronts the crime of genocide."



"Genocide must be confronted unconditionally at the level of

American values and our common humanity. As Americans, we should

never allow the prevention or recognition of this crime to be

reduced to a political issue that can be traded away, retreated

from under pressure, or used to advance a political agenda, of any

kind."



"We urge the President to act quickly to correct his

Administration's stand on the Armenian Genocide by properly

condemning and commemorating this crime, removing Turkey's gag-rule

on its recognition by the United States, and working publicly

toward the adoption of the Armenian Genocide Resolution before

Congress," concluded Hachikian