This is actually a pretty interesting one.
First, a litte history lesson.
The Armenian Genocide, also labeled the Armenian Holocaust, was when the Ottomon Turks forcibly deported and killed over 1.5 million Armenians during WW1.
So, now the news.
Nancy Pelosi wants to pass a resolution which would declare this act a Genocide. However, Bush is ademently against it.
The reasons for passing the resolution are pretty straight forward. It was a genocide, without a doubt, and many feel that it must be recognized. It hasn't been recognized before because its never been "the right time" - first the Soviet Union, then the Gulf War, etc... Pelosi feels America must stop procrastinating. Also, the survivors of the genocide are getting old, and she feels as if they deserve this resolution.
However, Bush doesn't want to becuase he claims it will bring instability to the region, and that it will have negative impacts on the War in Iraq - and in both cases he is actually right. Turkey has been in upheavel over this possible resolution, and the Turkish Government says that American-Turkey relationships will be deeply hurt. Now what does that mean? It means uh-oh for the War in Iraq. Being a NATO ally, Turkey has helped immensly with the War in Iraq. 70% of US cargo goes through Turkey, and it's the main re-fueling hub. If this resolution is passed, it is almost certain that Turkey will not allow Americans use of its military bases.
So what to do? What policy do you think America should follow?
Follow our morals and do the "right thing" no matter what? Sticking up for the little guy? Give peace to the victims and their families?
Or should we listen to our other side - we need Turkey - our War effort needs Turkey, and our hundreds of thousands of troops in Iraq need Turkey.
It's a tough one. any suggests? If you've got a good one, I'm sure Bush and Pelosi would love to hear it.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
8 comments:
Although the morally "right" thing to do would be to label the killing of Armenians a genocide, I just don't think that now is the right time to do that. The U.S. is at critical point right now in the War in Iraq where it needs all the help it can get. Labeling it a genocide will turn Turkey into an anti-America country, which would be worse than not recognizing that event as a genocide at this time. The U.S. is trying to progress in its efforts to end the chaos in Iraq. Declaring the act as a genocide would be a major setback.
I think we need Turkey too much at this point in the war, and if formally declaring the Armenian genocide a Genocide compromises our relationship with Turkey, then we shouldn't do it. Even though it may be the morally right thing to pass the resolution, I don't think now is an appropriate time.
Well with any foreign policy type thing there are always more complications than meet the eye or are found in the press and media. But based on this information I would have to agree that now isn't the best time to test our relations with Turkey. Although people who want the Genocide to be recognized may say that it is our moral obligation and that it is not the victims' fault that the US is in a war with Iraq, the fact is we are in a War. We have American soldiers that could suffer dire consequences if we act without consideration of their well-being. I do not think that the Armenian Genocide was okay or that it should simply be ignored, and I don't think that Bush feels that way either. We just need to be aware of the American's that will receive the fallout of such a decision.
what happened happened and calling it something different wont change what happened. The cons of calling the genocide a genocide greatly outweigh the pros, which is why we should not officially call it a genocide until we are completely independent of Turkey.
I agree with Greg. If we do call what happened a genocide now it will only cause more problems. It isnt like if we call it a genocide now it will help it. Why risk losing the Turks who are a big part of what we do in the middle east and as long as we need them we should try to appeal to them. But once we dont need them any more then it would probably be best to recognize what happened, but for now we should just keep in good terms with a country that we need help from.
I believe Iran still does not recognize the Holocaust ever happening. Just because the U.S. acknowledges what is a genocide a genocide does not mean that Turkey needs to throw a tempertantrum about it. In all honesty, I really doubt a country like Turkey standing up to the U.S. about whatever decision we decide to due because the rest of the world will most likely agree in recognizing the genocide. However, a survivor knows it was a genocide and the acknowledgment of it will not make what happened any better or bring the lives of the innocent back so I just feel that it is the right thing to do, and Turkey in my opinion will not be willing to take an American boycott on Turkish products. Turkey control American actions, I think not.
It's a true shame that in this day and age a country would base its military decisions on another country's beliefs..and so history repeats itself.
I think that this is disgusting. Okay, we may need Turkey's help, but we should do something anyway! Our country is so horrified by the holocaust, but when there are other, similar events happening right now, no one wants to do anything about it!
It's stupid. And if you think about it, I wouldn't want TUrkey for a friend if they were supporting a genocide, but that's just me personally.
Post a Comment