The G-word

In 1915, during the early years of World War I, political and intellectual leaders of the Armenian community of the Ottoman Empire were rounded up and murdered. These killings carried on until 1923 and resulted in the death of 1,500,000 people. These events are often either labeled as massacre or genocide. Raphael Lemkin, a Polish-Jewish scholar, coined the word “genocide” in 1943 as means of describing these killings. In discussing these events, Congressman Adam Schiff makes the assertion that “words matter.” The word used in describing these killings reflects viewpoints on the matter. In other words, the word “genocide” comes with heavy implications. The decision in describing these killings as genocide suggests that there was a deliberate decision in destroying the Armenian population. The oh-so-scary G-word is often missing from conversations and politicians often call these events tragic killings or massacres. The question remains whether the United States will recognize the Armenian Genocide as such, considering their unwillingness in using the word, and whether the Turkish government will cease denial and admit that the killings were, in fact, genocide.

The killings that took place during this time period were a systematic destruction ordered at the hands of the Ottoman Empire. The Turkish nation acknowledges the deaths but refuses to consider them "genocide." Turkish officials instead claim that there were killings on both sides, and that the murders that took place on their part was done as a response to the Armenian people, who were rebelling against the Ottoman Empire. The photographic documentation that exists, however, coupled with eyewitness accounts and judgments made on behalf of historians who consider these mass killings to be a genocide suggest otherwise. There are, however, continuous efforts made on behalf of Turkish officials to avoid these responsibilities. Their refusal of owning up to their past has led to denial of the genocide. In fact, discussing the Armenian Genocide in Turkey is punishable under law. The following is Article 301 of the Turkish Penal Code, which highlights Turkey’s suppression of free speech.

1. Public denigration of Turkishness, the Republic or the Grand National Assembly of Turkey shall be punishable by imprisonment of between six months and three years.
2. Public denigration of the Government of the Republic of Turkey, the judicial institutions of the State, the military or security structures shall be punishable by
imprisonment of between six months and two years.
3. In cases where denigration of Turkishness is committed by a Turkish citizen in another country the punishment shall be increased by one third.
4. Expressions of thought intended to criticize shall not constitute a crime.

This denial has infected the United States as well. The United States is careful with their description of these mass killings. Turkey's lobbying firms convince legislators and representatives to avoid using the word "genocide." The reason for this is because the United States has an important ally in Turkey, and a result, going against Turkey and admitting the genocide can be harmful.

“Turkey engages in a form of international bullying, threatening to cut diplomatic ties or install economic sanctions, to dissuade nations of recognizing the genocide.”

France, who has recognized the Armenian Genocide now for several decades, recently passed a bill criminalizing public denial of the Armenian Genocide. Turkey's Prime Minister, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, claimed the bill was against free speech and even claimed he would never visit France again if the bill was passed. Turkey released a statement after the passing of the bill, claiming relations between their nation and France had now been impaired. This provides us with further understanding of how Turkey is involved in "international bullying" in support of their interests.

In his online video, Congressman Bob Livingston urges Congress to vote against the Armenian Genocide Resolution, calling Turkey an "indispensable ally" and claiming recognition of the genocide will hurt our relationship with Turkey. In addition to absurd claims - he calls Turkey a secular democracy, despite the fact that it is illegal to openly discuss the Armenian Genocide in the nation - Bob Livingston supports the denial of the Armenian Genocide for Turkish interests. In his public video, he even claims that "nobody" other than historians know the details of these events; however, the International Association of Genocide Scholars has reached out to Congress in the past in attempts of having them adopt the Armenian Genocide Resolution. Condoleezza Rice has never once used the term “genocide” when describing these events, despite her efforts in playing a decisive role in the conflicts with Darfur. In a public hearing, Congressman Adam Schiff pressed Condoleezza Rice on this topic, repeatedly asking her if she believed these killings were genocide. The then-Secretary of State refused to use the word genocide and claimed:

“I think that the best way to have this proceed is for the United States not to be in the position of making this judgment, but rather, for the Turks and the Armenians to come to their own terms.”

In addition to Bob Livingston, a number of others have ignored the Armenian Genocide issue because of interests that relate directly to Turkey. George Bush's ignorance on the topic was simply because of United States-Turkey relations. The then-President remarked:

“The resolution on the mass killings of Armenians beginning in 1915 is counterproductive. Congress has more important work to do than antagonizing a Democratic ally in the Muslim world.”

There should be dialogue and understanding between both nations, but the United States is responsible for standing up and acknowledging these events as genocide. There have been a number of presidents who have expressed their desire for recognizing the genocide, but little has been done after assuming office. Congressman Adam Schiff has continuously supported the recognition of the Armenian Genocide and has discussed the importance of using the word "genocide" when speaking on these topics: [Barack Obama] has said, and rightfully so, words matter. This word, genocide, matters more than almost all others, because encompassed within that single word is a crime of enormous magnitude; the deliberate to destroy an entire people. Denial of genocide is the final chapter of genocide. “

President Barack Obama had been open about his feelings toward the Armenian Genocide prior to his election. The then-Senator of Illinois made several statements on these events:

"The United States deserves a leader who speaks truthfully about the Armenian Genocide and responds forcefully… I intend to be that President.”

“There was a genocide that did take place against the Armenian people."

“The facts are undeniable… I strongly support passage of the Armenian Genocide Resolution, and as President I will recognize the Armenian Genocide.”

“The United States must recognize the events of 1915-1923, carried out by the Ottoman Empire, as genocide. The Bush Administration’s refusal to do so is inexcusable.”

The views of Barack Obama have changed since he was sworn into office. The President has silenced himself in regards to this issue, much like others have, including George Bush, Condoleezza Rice and Bob Livingston. The President has done little in terms of encouraging dialogue on these events, and has even shied away from using the G-word. The President revealed a statement on day of remembrance of the Armenian Genocide in 2010, recalling on the atrocities that took place nearly a century ago. The one word missing from his statement, however, was the word "genocide," which he has refused to use since coming into office. Congressman Adam Schiff's claim that "words matter" seems to be reflected in the way certain politicians use their words, and the word that goes missing in their conversations is the G-word. In addition to citing Turkey among his top five international friends, Obama has refused to consider the recognition of the Armenian Genocide because of the relations the nation has with Turkey. The man who once said the refusal of recognizing the genocide was "inexcusable" now sides with the presidents who came before him:

“What I want to do is not focus on my views right now, and focus on the views of the Turkish and the Armenian people. If they can move forward and deal with a difficult and tragic history then I think the entire world should encourage them.”

Bibliography

http://www.anca.org/press_releases/press_releases.php?prid=1513

http://www.anca.org/press_releases/press_releases.php?prid=1233

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JwR83GZjwdo&feature=related

http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/statement-president-barack-obama-armenian-remembrance-day

http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/asset/EUR44/035/2005/en/7af4fffc-d47d-11dd-8743-d305bea2b2c7/eur440352005en.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f1C9Wdcmmsk

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123880012474888429.html